We often think that having a successful college career has to come at a price. A collegiette who performs well and is a top student must be unhappy because she puts everything into her work, right? Wrong! We don’t mean to sound cheesy, but you really can have it all. In fact, happiness in your personal life and your success in school can even be related! So take it from us, you don’t have to choose one over the other.

We caught up with a few collegiettes and got the scoop on habits that keep them on the track to success but also help them find happiness in their personal lives. We also spoke with psychiatrist Dr. Roy Stefanik and certified nutrition specialist Susan Holmberg for some professional tips, so if you want to have a stellar school year, check out these worthwhile pointers.

1. Schedule weekly friend time

When all of your friends have such busy and differing schedules, it’s easy to neglect hanging out on a regular basis. Sit down with your roommates or closest friends and decide on a time each week to meet up and do something fun—even if that means just getting into your pajamas and catching up on Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

University of Ottawa sophomore Sarah Khalid and her roommates dedicate time each week to do one of many fun activities they have up their sleeves. “Once a week we cook dinner together,” she says. “We also get together to go on walks or to just grab a cup of frozen yogurt.”

Once you make a weekly commitment to spend time with one another, make sure you stick to the plan! Since it’s easy to brush off a froyo date, go the extra step to ensure that everyone shows up. Send a group text the day of reminding everyone, or write a note on a Post-it and stick it on the front door of your suite. If you choose an activity that involves tickets, like movies, buy them ahead of time so you’re less likely to back out at the last minute.

2. Give your parents a call once in a while

Many of us are utterly thrilled to be rid of Mom and Dad’s rules when we leave for college, but that doesn’t mean you should cut them out of your life completely! If you haven’t already, make a habit of talking to your parents on a regular basis (and by that we mean more than just a quick text asking them to send you money!).

“I talk to my parents regularly; it can be really helpful and comforting for me at times,” says Judith Eng, a senior at Barnard College. “Whenever I have a dilemma, they give me advice, and even if I don’t take it, I’m glad to hear it.”

Chatting with your parents will not only give them the peace of mind that you’re doing okay, but it can help them help you with what’s going on in your own life. If you’re struggling with a certain professor or you have something else to vent about, your parents can offer good insight and are almost guaranteed to be great listeners.

Even if you don’t tell them if something’s wrong, when you call them instead of just texting, they usually realize something is bothering you and will try to help you. “It’s good for them to hear your voice, because parents will often pick up on stress levels or emotions that can go undetected in electronic contact,” Dr. Stefanik says.

Of course, you shouldn't only call them when you have a problem—your dad will appreciate when you call to let him know you’ve aced a test, and your mom would probably love to hear about your amazing shopping finds from last weekend. Plus, it’s also an opportunity for you to learn news about how things are going at home!

3. Constantly motivate yourself

Self-motivation is way easier said than done, but luckily, there are various ways to go about it. One way is to print out inspirational quotes and hang them up on your walls. If phrases you find motivational are hung up in your room and you see them every day, they’re going to stick longer than one you briefly saw before scrolling through your Pinterest feed.

Find a quote from your favorite role model and write it on your mirror in lipstick. As you look into it every morning before you leave, you’ll see that Gandhi quote about kindness, and hopefully it’ll be in the back of your mind throughout the day.

If you’re more interested in tangible ways of motivating yourself, consider writing down goals, whether they pertain to school, your career or general habits. You want to create goals that are realistic (like allowing yourself one junk-food day per week or spending one less hour on Facebook each day) so you can actually see results.

If you set really big goals, you may not get results right away, and that may detract you from setting goals in the future. Track your successes on paper so you can look back on your progress. When it comes to more behavioral targets like losing weight or improving sleep habits, “it’s best to set incremental goals,” Dr. Stefanik says. “Making small changes at a time can increase your likelihood of success dramatically.”

4. Allot yourself some “me time”

In an episode of MTV’s The City, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg said: “The most important relationship in your life is the [one] you have with yourself.” Her token of wisdom is so true! And just like the relationships you have with others, your relationship with yourself needs consistent maintenance. Hanging out with your besties has its benefits, but sometimes you need to just do you, whether it’s by trying a new recipe or getting cozy and reading a book.

“Personally, alone time reading a book that’s not required for school helps,” says Claudia Dimuro, a senior at New York University.

Dr. Stefanik says, “Reading for leisure can be an effective use of alone time. It’s better to read books and magazines that support healthier lifestyles than ones that encourage self-loathing.” So instead of picking up a mag whose cover evaluates celebs’ beach bodies, opt for a novel that offers a strong female protagonist.

There are countless activities besides reading that you can pursue that will make you feel productive, whether it’s starting that DIY jewelry project you bookmarked weeks ago, going to your local art museum to check out the new photography exhibit or writing a good, old-fashioned letter to a friend.

5. Exercise

Exercise has its obvious benefits relating to your physical well-being, but it will also put you in a good place from a mental standpoint. Like Elle Woods said, “Exercise gives you endorphins; endorphins make you happy!”

“[Endorphins] have a calming characteristic that leave you in an awfully good mood post-workout,” Holmberg says.

Morgan Dux, a senior at Juniata College, sticks to a regimen of three workout days per week. “It definitely helps me stay sane and benefits my overall well-being,” she says. “I try to work out primarily outside. I feel much more relaxed and refreshed after an outdoor workout, even if it’s cold outside.”

The best time of day to work out or where you do it depends completely on you, Holmberg says. “For some, the gym can have many negative connotations; you may feel self-conscious or you may feel like you have to compete with others,” she says. “Those who enjoy the gym may feel incentivized by exercising alongside others, and that’s why they may prefer it.”

So, if you have a complete aversion to the gym (you’re not alone if you do!), take a jog or even just a walk on a scenic route through your campus. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore your campus or town all while attaining the same level of accomplishment you might feel exercising indoors.

6. Unplug every once in a while

With your cell phone buzzing every five minutes and your email inbox getting flooded with messages from professors, it’s no wonder you’re on the verge of insanity! Even if it’s just once a week, devote at least half an hour to eliminating the use of all electronic devices from your life. Turn off your cell, take out your earbuds, shut down your iPad. With your newfound free time, find something fun to do, like organizing your shoe collection or taking a bubble bath. In fact, your time to unplug can be channeled into a new weekly activity.

“[A] habit I started in college and carried on into [life after college] was taking an hour on Sunday afternoon, turning off my electronics and doing my nails,” says Chantalle Brown, a Purdue University graduate. “It’s a great way to relax, doesn’t cost a ton of money and guarantees that your nails will look great each week — the only struggle is choosing the right color!”

Aside from giving you time to your nails, you’ll find that occasionally tuning out will improve your life in other ways. Our gadgets become huge distractions. Detaching yourself from them for even a short period of time will better your focus and enable you to think more clearly. Plus, your tired thumbs and otherwise strained eyes will thank you!

7. Use a planner

Since you’re on your own in college, time management becomes a key skill you either learn to refine or struggle with. Don’t underestimate the power of a planner, because it can solve many potential problems before they even happen. Aside from being pretty to look at, a planner will help you prioritize everything on your agenda from that weekly Skype date with your SO to the office hours appointment with your professor. Many of us make the effort of buying a planner but then become flaky when it comes to recording tasks and or checking it regularly, so make it your job to be consistent. Force yourself to write down new commitments the second you become aware of them, and keep tabs on what you have on your plate each morning after waking up.

Sarah Engstrand, a recent graduate of the University of St Andrews, says she survived college thanks to her planner. “Every single thing had to be written down, and if it wasn’t, it didn’t exist [in my mind],” she says. “It helped to have a planner with a monthly and daily view so I could see what was coming up.”

With the school year getting into swing, now is the best time to start looking for a new planner. There are so many out there in different colors, patterns and formats, so you can definitely find one that fits your personality. The coolest ones have cute stickers that you can use to deck out your calendar pages in order to help you keep track of upcoming events or occasions.

At the end of the day, your own happiness is key. Once you find the best ways to reach and optimize it, you may realize that you’re already halfway closer to success, whether it involves your GPA or overall college goals.

Hulu, we need to talk. We’re eternally grateful that you saved The Mindy Project from a gruesome cancelation and gave the series a second life. But with season four premiering in mere days, we have to set a few ground rules. We’ll make it easy for you. Here are 10 things we already love about the show that you better not change.

1. Danny and Mindy, the ultimate power couple

We expect their relationship to only get stronger with the arrival of their new bundle of joy. Other than gifting us with the necessary hilarious mishaps that come with parenthood and—fingers crossed—wedding planning, don’t you dare mess with this pair. #MTB

2. That killer supporting cast

Two words—Annette Castellano. Well, there’s also Morgan, Tamra, Jeremy, and Beverly. But Annette is the TV mother we never knew we were missing. Keep letting these people shine, especially if the episodes are going to be longer than the network norm of 22 minutes.

3. The perfect mingling of romance and comedy

Mindy Kaling is a rom com queen. Her show is like TV’s answer to You’ve Got Mail! That vibe needs to continue into the fourth season, but with Mindy running the show, we aren’t too worried.

4. Jokes that make us laugh until we cry

Many of The Mindy Project’s best jokes are throwaway lines muttered under someone’s breath, but we don't want the show to lose its current tone for the sake of raunchier comedic tendencies. Slightly edgier, we can handle; R-rated laughs just don't seem to fit into this already established world, though.  

5. Instant quotables

On that note, our favorite pastime is quoting Mindy and the gang. And since we’ve quoted the first three seasons so much that our friends are starting to roll their eyes, we’re dying for a new crop of one-liners to drop into any ‘ole casual conversation.

6. Frequent visits from buzzworthy guest stars

With the introduction of Mindy’s parents and guest turns by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Freida Pinto on the books, things are looking good for season four. But we wouldn’t mind seeing a few familiar faces around the office, too. (We’re mostly referring to Peter, obvi.)

7. Inappropriate personal relationships in the workplace

The employees at Shulman and Associates are a bit too close, don’t you think? More storylines like Morgan and Tamra’s all-too-brief relationship will only entangle their personal lives even further, which we would very much like.

8. Pop culture references aplenty

Regardless of what’s going on in the pop culture sector, you can always guarantee Mindy will have something to say about it. That’s why we know she’s got some pretty colorful opinions to share on the presidential race, the squad phenomenon and lot of other hot topics.

9. Mindy’s gig as our complex female role model

Rarely do we find such an unguarded female character to look up to in the way we do Mindy. She’s unafraid to be her own role model, so we can imagine how thrilled she’d be knowing she’s ours. Let’s keep it that way.

10. Our weekly Mindy fix

This one is already a lock, but don’t go getting any crazy ideas, Hulu. We’re not looking to binge this 26-episode chunk in a single weekend while consuming an entire birthday cake by ourselves. No, sir. We’ll stick with what we know—one glorious episode a week straight on through May, thank you. 

Are you worried about changes Hulu might make to The Mindy Project, collegiettes? 

Regardless of race, class, creed or sexual orientation, there are very few women out there who haven’t experienced some sort of challenge as a result of their gender. Earlier this week, The Clinton Foundation initiative No Ceilings: The Full Participation Project launched a digital awareness campaign to both acknowledge progress that has already been made and to highlight what still needs to be done in order to achieve true gender equality. The new movement comes in honor of the 20th anniversary of United Nations’ Fourth World Conference on Women and the Beijing Platform for Action.

Using the hashtag #NotThere, signifying that we are “not there” yet in the fight for women’s rights, the campaign is posting images every day between September 8 to 18 featuring contrasting women of all different walks of life. The Clinton Foundation’s effort is partnering with MTV’s Look Different initiative, which educates young people about how to acknowledge and fight against bias. Look Different is sharing the #NotThere graphics each day on its tumblr page.

With this campaign, No Ceilings is addressing one of the most crucial but least acknowledged aspects of feminism: intersectionality. Race, sexual orientation, economic class, disability, faith and cultural norms all strongly influence people’s identities and play a large role in the types (and severity) of challenges women face.

Research conducted by No Ceilings since 1995 has found that far greater progress has been made in some areas than in others—women’s access to basic education and healthcare is greater than ever before, while increases in women’s leadership, participation in STEM-related fields and feelings of security (ahem, catcalling and street harassment, anyone?) are occurring at a much slower pace. Of the gains that have been made, they have not been enjoyed by all women—in different areas of the world, some are still struggling for even the most basic of human rights. For this reason, No Ceilings has made it a priority to “focus on girls and the most marginalized.”

From increasing STEM participation to ending child marriage, The Full Participation Project aims to give a comprehensive look at global gender issues. If you’re interested in getting involved, keeping reading up on these issues and like, share, retweet or reblog the #NotThere campaign to keep spreading the word! It’s called the Full Participation Project for a reason—only through our collective efforts can we finally get “there.”

Whether you’re looking for a job or an internship, updating your resume is the most important part of the job seeking process. Your resume is usually the first thing an employer looks at, so you want to make sure it captures your professional persona. It's important to make a positive first impression, but you only have one page to do it. We all know that there comes a time when you'll have to remove your high school achievements from your resume, but there are also some other things you don't need to keep on there. Professional career advisor and author of Networking for the Novice, Nervous, or Naive Job Seeker Tom Dezell weighs in on what things on your resume are just a waste of space.

1. Any school you attended without earning a degree

If you've taken classes at multiple colleges or universities that's great, but you don't have to list them all on your resume. "On the resume, it's only necessary to list the school where you received or are in the process of receiving the degree," says Dezell. "An application may ask you to list all the schools you've attended, but it's not necessary for a resume." You can leave off the school where you took a class and earned transfer credit or the school you attended during study abroad, and just stick with where you plan to graduate from.

2. Multiple addresses

Sure, you need to include your phone number, email or maybe a link to your personal website—but make sure you don't provide so much information that you leave employers scratching their heads. "Rather than a school and home address, just list the one closest to the job you’re applying to," suggests Dezell. You might have to provide a permanent and temporary address in an application, but when it comes to your resume, just stick to one.

3. A GPA below 3.0

When it comes to your GPA, Dezell says that if it's lower than a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, it's not necessary to keep on your resume—and that "even keeping just a 3.0 on there is generous." If you have a great GPA that you are proud of, and your grades are relevant to your job search, then go ahead and include it. Don't worry—leaving your GPA off your resume doesn't automatically indicate to employers that it’s bad; it's just not the thing on your resume that will really help you stand out. 

4. List of courses

Having a long list of every course you've taken in college provides a potential employer with more information than they need or want. "Only present coursework titles that include skill topics required for jobs applied to," says Dezell. "If it’s not relevant, leave it off." If you do want to include a course that is relevant to the job, write about the skills it helped you develop rather than simply listing the course name. For example, if you're applying for jobs in advertising, having random elective courses you took (like Ballroom Dancing 101) on your resume won't be of much help.

5. Interests & hobbies

Your resume isn’t really the place to tell someone you enjoy hiking or knitting in your spare time. "Only keep them on a resume if they have relevance to the job you applied to," notes Dezell. There may be an area of the job application where you can provide a little about yourself, but definitely don't have everything you do during your free time listed on your resume. An employer can find out more about you during the interview process.

6. A photo of yourself (or any other images)

Unless you’re an aspiring actor, you don’t need to include a photo of yourself on your resume. Putting a photo of any kind on your resume will just distract from the truly important things, like your experience and education—and can appear unprofessional. Employers can see what you look like when they ask you to come in for an interview, or when they visit your LinkedIn page. Adding any other types of images that show off your creativity are also unnecessary. Instead, just be sure to include a link to your online portfolio. 

7. Every job you've ever had

Just like listing every class you’ve taken in college, you also don’t have to list absolutely every job you’ve ever had. This is especially important if the previous jobs are not related to the one you’re applying for. If you're listing your previous experience, also keep in mind that you don’t want to be too repetitive. “If you’ve worked as a server/bartender at multiple restaurants, no need to structure each as its own job then repeat all the same duties,” says Dezell. Even if you take off a few unrelated job experiences, that doesn’t mean you can’t still use the skills you learned to your advantage!

Creating the perfect resume can be stressful, but it's important to cater it to each job you apply for. Make sure to include what is truly essential and ditch the unnecessary things that take up too much of that precious space!

File this one away as your feel-good story of the week. Out of nowhere, a new app called Yeti Campus Stories is spreading like wildfire on college campuses across the country this semester. Basically, Yeti creates a Snapchat-like story on each campus, but unlike Snapchat, students decide what makes it on their school’s Yeti feed. Since it’s completely controlled by students, the content is a little more PG-13 than Snapchat stories. Something recently happened on the Mississippi State University Yeti feed that, luckily, had a very happy ending!

This student from Mississippi State University, “Braces Girl,” began uploading these selfies. Totally normal--totally something we have all done.

You might be able to guess what happened next. As is often the case with social media, a few cowards with nothing better to do took to the app, bashing Braces Girl:

Then something amazing happened. Instead of backing down, she became more active than ever on Yeti, radiating positivity and inspiring others to feel good. Not sure we would have been brave enough to do this, but kudos to our fellow collegiette!

And the rest of the Mississippi State Yeti community rallied behind her, proving our generation isn’t completely heartless:

Braces Girl: 1; Bullies: 0

The love for Braces Girl didn’t stop there though. Almost overnight, she became a local celebrity on campus. Students began posting on Yeti with selfies with her--pretty awesome to become famous on campus just by being yourself!

YOU GO, BRACES GIRL!

To see what all the fuss is about, download Yeti Campus Stories here.

Being treated unfairly in the workplace is perhaps one of life's greatest stressors, often having multiple negative effects. Not only does it promote a hostile work environment, but it can tarnish some important relationships, like the ones you have with your manager or co-workers. Though you may feel like all hope is lost, know that there is something you can do about it. Read on for some quick tips on how to deal with being treated unfairly and tricks on how to make it stop!

1. Limit how often you say "yes"

"It's in our nature to want to please people and deliver for our colleagues, but what you don't realize is that the more you say 'yes,' the more you are creating a precedent," says Salvatore Fusari, a Human Resources Generalist at Reckitt Benckiser. "I know it might be difficult, but in order to make sure your priorities are being met, you need to manage other people's expectations."

It's easy to want to take on multiple projects at once and fit in last minute requests, but as Fusari points out, saying "yes" to everything has some serious disadvantages. Your co-workers will start to depend on you so much that you will become a dumping ground for anything and everything. It's great when your colleagues and your boss feel like they can rely on you, but you should stick up for yourself if you feel that you're being taken advantage of.

2. Stand up for yourself

Confidence is key when it comes to being taken seriously in the workplace. If you exude confidence and stand up for yourself when you know something isn't right, it's more likely that you'll avoid being treated unfairly. Your manager and your co-workers will realize that they can't pull one over on you and they won't try to either. But if you do feel like you're not being treated right—your co-worker is getting more perks than you do, your manager is constantly ramping up your workload and not delegating tasks fairly—then make sure you stick up for yourself.

"Whenever a conversation has the potential to evoke an emotional response, always err on the side of caution and confront the individual privately," suggests Fusari. "When you are in that one-on-one meeting, make sure you convey how you feel and the impact it has on you, but more importantly, ask for a change in behavior."

3. Talk it out

Bottling up your feelings is one of the worst things you can do and if something is bothering you, talking it out is always the best solution. Miscommunication happens, but in order to solve it, you need to clearly explain how you're feeling and make sure that you and the other person are on the same page. Organize your thoughts (write them down if you have to!) and practice in front of a mirror so that you can eradicate rambling, stuttering, and other public speaking quirks that may make you sound like you're not confident in what you're saying or unsure about the outcome you're looking for.

4. Head to HR

If you tried speaking with the person you are having an issue with and it didn't produce any results, head to your Human Resources department to see if they have any advice.

"If you don't feel comfortable approaching your supervisor again, don't be afraid to reach out to your company's Human Resources department," says Meghan Murphy, a junior at Northeastern University who said this was a step she had to take during an internship. "It's their job to ensure you are comfortable and have a good work experience, and they can help you to come up with a game plan for dealing with the problem and support you through the process."

Make sure you come prepared, though. Having a timeline of past grievances, instances when you tried to communicate your feelings to the person in question and specific reasons why you think you're not being heard is helpful for your HR representative to know.

5. Remember that you're not alone

Chances are, someone somewhere is going through the same exact thing you are—you just aren't aware of it. Sometimes it's easier to process things when you have the mindset that you're not alone and that other people have (and will!) go through the same exact thing. Reach out to family and friends who may have been in similar positions for advice on how to cope and/or get some help. They may have information on what they wish they did, how they eventually got it resolved and what you can do to make sure the unfairness doesn't continue in the future.

"Sometimes managers will play favorites with certain employees because they like them better as a person or favor their personalities more," says Francesca Sgambati, a 2011 Rutgers University graduate who works as a Digital Media Assistant Editor at NJ Brides. "I've been treated unfairly and watched someone else get better treatment because they were friendly with the management, but I talked to my family and friends about it and they had some great advice: If you do your job and you do your job well, being super friendly with the management can only work in your favor for so long. Every manager wants an employee who can deliver on their work, not someone whose main priority is to be a social butterfly."

6. Move on

If things just aren't working out, it might be time to quit and find a new job. Sometimes employees don't completely gel with their current company's culture, and there's nothing wrong with re-evaluating your situation and finding a better fit somewhere else. If you do go with this route, make sure you give your manager enough of a head's up and explain why you've chosen to leave.

As an employee, you shouldn't have to deal with being treated unfairly in the workplace, but the unfortunate thing is that it happens to a lot of people. Be confident, talk it out with your manager or whomever you're having an issue with and make sure that you don't bottle up your emotions. Being in the workplace is an exciting thing and you deserve to be in an environment that makes you excel in your career. You've got this, graduette!

Name: Rebecca van Bergen

Age: 33

Job Title and Description: Founder and Executive Director, Nest

College Name/Major: Washington University in St. Louis/Masters of Social Work

Website: www.buildanest.org

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

Rebecca van Bergen: There is really no such thing as a typical day at Nest, but that is something that I love about our work. Because Nest is helping to advance the global community of artisans, I am often Skyping all around the world, sometimes at crazy hours. It is always worth it when we hear our artisan business leaders on the other end. Connecting with people is a huge piece of what Nest is all about – we are committed to people, not just the products that they make. Typically, however, my day begins by kissing my son and daughter goodbye and taking off for my commute from Connecticut to Nest’s New York City offices. We are a small team, which helps to keep us creative and nimble. The constant crop of new ideas that spring from our team, keeps every day different and interesting.

What is the best part of your job?

RVB: Travel is an important part of the work that Nest does. Meeting with the artisan women whose lives our work is impacting is by far the best part of what I do. To see the smiles, warmth, courage, strength and passion that characterize a woman at work is to understand the universal language of craft and its power to bind us together. At the end of the day, the hopes, fears, struggles and joys of artisan women in Oaxaca, Mexico; Varanasi, India; Swaziland and even here in the USA are not so different.

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

​RVB: I founded Nest at just 24, right after completing my Masters in Social Work at Washington University, so I did not have a job prior, if you can believe that! After graduating, I was deciding on next steps when I realized that the perfect job for me was one I had to create myself. Over a glass of wine at my favorite wine bar, I made a list of my strengths, interests, skills and opportunities to contribute, when the idea for Nest began to take shape. At that point, I was young and single with a supportive family, so I started Nest with a shoestring budget, but an ambitious vision, and never looked back. 

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

​RVB: My educational background was in social work, so I had no experience working in the fashion industry. Because many of Nest’s artisan produce craft is being creatively incorporated into stunning fashion collections, I have become very embedded in this world as well. It has been eye-opening to better understand the ins and outs of the industry, particularly from the production side of things. From the idea for a garment or handbag to what actually walks down the runway or ends up on shelves, so many steps are involved and so many people’s hard work goes into making every step possible. I have an enormous appreciation for this work.

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

​RVB: In the very early days of Nest, I was honored to be included in St. Louis Business Journal’s 30 under 30 list of future leaders of the region. I was one of the few females, and I believe, the only nonprofit. I was honored to be at the awards ceremony, but couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable when the announcer clearly had more of an interest in the financial achievements of bankers and real estate investors than in a woman with a small nonprofit. He fumbled my bio entirely, but I accepted my award and stood for my picture. My phone rang several times the next day from other winners, all men, requesting to meet with me. I enthusiastically accepted. It was not until the third lunch that I realized I was being vetted as a potential date, not being courted by a potential supporter.

I almost turned down the last request to meet for coffee, but decided to try one last time. I was thrilled when the young man I was meeting with asked me questions about my ideas and my work. He was clearly not on a date. During that first meeting, this gentleman asked me to define, in one sentence, why I needed his support. I was new to the idea of an elevator pitch, so he sat patiently giving me pointers until I was able to articulate the importance of my work. He wrote me a check on the spot and became Nest’s earliest and most important funder. Almost single-handedly, he kept our doors open and lights on during those early start-up days. And, he stayed around to make sure that I had the confidence to grow the organization to the place it is today.

What words of wisdom do you find most valuable? 

​RVB: “We all need beauty as well as bread.” I heard this John Muir quote once, and it really resonated with me. It encapsulates very well our work at Nest. Yes, craft brings economic independence to the artisans we work with, but it is so much more than this – it brings beauty into the world too. This makes our lives just a little more peaceful, a little more pleasant and all the more fulfilling. With all the tragedy and ugliness in the world, beauty is needed.

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

​RVB: When I first began Nest, we were an organization that operated as a sourcing agent and sales channel for artisan products. What I quickly learned was that this model had certain drawbacks for our artisans, largely because it fostered dependency on Nest. Our goals at Nest are geared towards artisan sustainability. For this reason, I made a rather swift strategic decision to evolve our model for artisan advancement by which Nest remains a third party entirely outside of the supply chain. This allows us to focus instead on directly providing artisans the on-the-ground tools, training and infrastructure that will allow them to become more viable entities who are able to build their own client relationships with diverse brand clients across the fashion and home industries.

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

​RVB: In 2011, Nest made a pledge at the Clinton Global Initiative Forum in New York to deliver training to more than 2,600 artisans globally, a goal that we are far surpassed. The moment on stage was incredibly surreal, and one that I will not soon forget. In 2015, Nest has the distinct honor of becoming a complimentary Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) member.

What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

​RVB: As a small team, we must wear many hats at Nest. Given the global scope of our work across many different fields of craft, new challenges arise on at least a daily basis. It follows that I seek to build a team of employees who are both personally and professionally committed to the Nest mission to empower artisans through craft. I look for go-getters who are willing to take on new challenges and fill roles outside the typical job description. Most importantly, I look for kindness and compassion – these are qualities that make all Nest team members family.  

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

​RVB: One of my favorite memories at Nest is one of our team members pulling me aside and telling me they were so amazed that I went into a meeting with a potential significant funder in Converse sneakers. It only occurred to me at that very moment (after the meeting) that I probably should have worn heels! Luckily, we got the gift but I think being genuine in all that you do is always important.

A recent survey about OpenMinded.com users revealed that in two-thirds of relationships, women were the ones who suggested being open. OpenMinded's founder, Brandon Wade, said that this has to do with women "preserving their relationships at all costs." However, we're not sure this is the case. Maybe women just want to fulfill their sexual needs. There are multiple benefits of open relationships including:

1. They are linked to being happier

A study in 2014 revealed that people in consensual non-monogamous relationships were happier than those in exclusive relationships.

2. They are linked to being healthier

People in open relationships also reported feeling healthier. (Note: there were no medical results to back this up)

3. They build communication skills

Rather than keeping things secret, people in open relationships communicate better than those in exclusive relationships.

Sounds pretty promising, right? Would you be open to a non-monogamous relationship, collegiettes?

There’s no doubt about it: most college students hate group projects. Homework is tedious, but not terrible. Studying for a test sucks, but it’s doable. But when your professor gives you a group project that’s worth 50 percent of your grade, all you can do is groan. Coordinating with group members can be a pain, you inevitably end up doing all the work and your fellow classmates just annoy you. Group projects are the worst.

Most likely, you’ll be assigned with a group project at least once during your college career. And while most students dread them, group projects don’t have to be the bane of your existence. Her Campus asked Dr. Amy Way, a Villanova University assistant communication professor who specializes in organizational communication (aka the communication within groups), for some tips for handling group projects. Keep these in mind and you’ll survive any group project!

Be open-minded

We get it: You don’t like group projects. But going in with a negative attitude about them can set you back before you even begin. If you’re open-minded when you approach a group project, you can set a more positive tone for the experience, which can create a more cohesive working environment.

“I think a lot of why students hate group work is because of what they think it will be like or what they think their group members will be like, before giving the process or people a chance,” Way says.  “It boils down to misperceptions that group members have of each other, which are then acted upon and turn into actual problems.”

If you go in assuming that one person will be the slacker of the group (based on previous interactions or first impressions), you probably won’t give her many tasks or responsibilities. That person might then realize you don’t trust her or her ideas, and she may not put as much effort into her parts. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“It can be frustrating and hard to change a dynamic like this, but I think upfront and sometimes difficult conversations early are often the key to moving past bad group dynamics,” Way says. During your first group meeting, try to get to know one another instead of determining who will be the leader or the lazy member of the group.

By being open-minded and getting to know your group members, you can create a positive and relaxed environment. If you’re willing to get to know others, your group members will be more receptive to you and your ideas. Instead of dreading working together, you might actually enjoy it!

Get organized

From all your years of schooling, you know that organization is one of the main keys for success. While staying organized can help you succeed individually, it is also critical to ensure your group project stays on track.

Get organized by creating ground rules for your group communication as well. These can be as simple as “only one person has the floor at a time during discussions” or being respectful of everyone’s ideas. “If you set this precedent early, you’ll be on track for a good working relationship,” Way says.

You should also establish a regular meeting time that works for everyone and figure out a way to keep yourselves organized with deadlines. Reserve a classroom once you’re assigned the project so you don’t waste group time finding a place to work. Consider making a Google calendar that everyone can access so you’re all aware of the upcoming deadlines.

Another good tool to use is Google Drive. You can set up Word documents, spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations that all group members can access and work on. It eliminates sending a thousand emails back and forth with edits, which may lead to mistakes and missing parts. All members can work individually on their parts while seeing what other group members have added. It allows everyone to keep your project cohesive as it progresses.

If you make organization a priority from the beginning, you can prevent the night-before-scramble that can happen during group projects. Scheduling and keeping all documents, sources and visual aids in one place can save your group a lot of frustration.

Set clear and measurable goals

The next step to having a successful group project is making sure everyone is on the same page from the beginning. This could mean discussing what you want to accomplish and when it should be completed by.

“Setting clear and measurable guidelines and expectations is key from the start,” Way says. “So don’t assume you’re all on the same page about what it means to do a task—set clear goals.”

Discuss things like how many sources your group needs and when you all should have them. Think about how many pages long you think your paper needs to be and set a time frame to have them written by. If you’re unsure of deadlines or requirements for a project, ask your professor, and he or she can guide you in the right direction.

By establishing expectations and goals for the group early on, everyone can get on the same page and stay on track. If everyone’s informed and knows what’s expected of them, it’s easier to communicate and get your project done efficiently.

Split up responsibilities and work together

Once you’ve gotten organized and set your measurable goals, it might be helpful to split up some of the responsibilities. The good thing about group projects is that you don’t have to do all the work yourself; you have others to help you!

You should discuss how your group wants to split up responsibilities once you’ve established your goals. Maybe one person prefers researching to writing, while another likes editing over making the visual aid. Just make sure that all the individual parts work together as a whole.

“Sometimes it’s just more feasible and practical for the group to divide tasks and work on them individually,” Way says. “But when that’s what you decide, you should always schedule a time to work through putting pieces together and making it sound coherent.”

With all that said, it’s also important to work as group and not always separately. Sometimes the best ideas are those created collectively. “If possible, I think there’s also something good about literally sitting down and writing together,” Way says. “Having people bounce ideas and wording off each other can be creative. The process creates a sort of synthesis where the end product is so much better than all the pieces put together.” Be aware that this may take more time, but it also keeps everyone involved and engaged in the project.

If you’re trying to brainstorm an idea for your project, get together to bounce ideas off of each other. On the other hand, making final edits is more of an individual task. Each of you can look it over by yourselves so you can ensure you haven’t missed anything.

However your group decides to work through the project, make sure everyone keeps the group’s goals and deadlines in mind. Be flexible and diligent, and you’ll have no problem completing all the project requirements on time!

Encourage instead of criticize

While you went into your project with an open mind about your fellow group members, it’s clear that one person just isn’t pulling his or her weight. With your grade on the line, this person can really cause your group anxiety.

One way to handle this type of group member is by using positive reinforcement. It sounds backwards, but encouragement can go farther than criticism. “Group members should quickly identify what [they] are good at and make an effort to assign them those types of tasks,” Way suggests. “Then, tell them when they do a good job and how it’s been useful to the group.”

If this person really likes researching, tell her how helpful her source was in explaining a certain point. Ask her if she’s artistic or really good at PowerPoint, and if she is, suggest she does the visual aids. Then, offer helpful suggestions and acknowledge her progress.

If this specific group member feels important to the group, she’s more likely to contribute and complete her tasks thoroughly. Feeling depended on might motivate her to work harder.

In the case that one group member continues to not pull her weight, talk to your professor. “Be open with your instructor or supervisor from the start about your concerns,” Way says. “Include what steps you’re taking to work toward including that person.”

By voicing your concerns to your professor, you can also ensure the individual’s lack of participation doesn’t affect your group grade. While these students can be a real downer for your group, consider these ways to motivate them, and they might contribute more than you think!

Communicate, communicate, communicate

The key to any successful team is open communication. You’re probably been working with your group members for a couple of weeks, so it’s important to keep everyone on track by practicing effective communication.

Avianne Tan, a senior at New York University, is currently in an English seminar class that involves a ton of group projects. The one thing she’s found the most helpful is staying in contact with her group. “It’s a great idea to exchange numbers and emails, [friend each other] on Facebook or create a group chat on your phone, Facebook or another app,” Avianne says. “This way, no matter where you guys are, you can let each other know anything immediately. It’s all in one place so that everyone is on the same page.”

Getting together as a group and communicating is just as important as talking outside of group time. When talking as a group, be nonjudgmental and respect others’ ideas. “With each new phase of the project, there should always be space for brainstorming free from judgment or critique,” Way says.

Additionally, be aware of your role in the group and make sure everyone has the chance to participate. “If you’re ALWAYS the first person to speak up or take responsibility, try to sit back and listen to give others the space to speak up,” Way suggests. “If you’re the person who always sits back, try to step up and voice your opinions, ideas, concerns. Take initiative in the group.”

While it’s nice when all group members agree on everything all the time, don’t be afraid to (respectfully) voice your opinions when you disagree with someone. It might feel like you’re creating conflict, but sometimes bringing up alternative ideas can help make the group’s ideas stronger. “Begin by taking a good amount of time to play with a variety of ideas,” Way says. “Once you’ve decided on an idea, play devil’s advocate and consider why it might not be a good idea. Conflict is not always a bad thing—it may manifest into something positive for the group.”

By listening to everyone’s points of view, respectfully challenging ideas to make them better and keeping up a consistent line of communication, you and your fellow group members can come up with the best way to complete the project together.

Group projects might seem like a drag, but when approached with a positive attitude, they can be great experiences to get to know other students and create an awesome collaborative product. Keep HC’s tips in mind, and you’ll be able to survive any group project! 

It seems like the country’s reached a point where school shootings are no longer shocking. This time, though, there were no students involved in a shooting that occurred at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi earlier today. University Professor Ethan Schmidt was sitting in his office when he was shot and killed earlier this morning, according to the county’s Deputy Coroner, Ted Ray. Police suspect that an instructor at the school, Shannon Lamb, may be responsible for the shooting.

Authorities also believe that Lamb shot and killed a woman he was once in a relationship with in Gautier, Mississippi before coming to Delta State’s campus to find Schmidt. Gautier is about 300 miles away from Cleveland. Lamb allegedly thinks that Schmidt may have also been in a relationship with the same woman.

The university was put under lockdown, with students and faculty advised to stay indoors and away from windows. Police officers and helicopters swept all across the area in a search for the suspect. Lamb is no longer believed to be on campus, but is still at large.

Professor Schmidt, who joined the faculty of Delta State in 2013, was both beloved and accomplished. He previously taught at Texas Tech University and the University of Kansas, where he is originally from. At Delta State, he served on the Diversity Committee and the Student Success Task Force. His colleague, Professor Don Allan Mitchell, called him “a gentleman in every sense of the word.”

Well, we thought we’d already seen all the crazy shenanigans that Ashley S. could throw our way. In the short time we’ve known the former Bachelor and, most recently, Bachelor in Paradise cast member, she’s made pals with a lovely flock of birds and confused an onion with a pomegranate. But get this… she just announced that she’s ENGAGED!

While in Paradise, Ashley was dumped by both Dan and Nick, and it was starting to get a bit depressing. Look who’s locked down now, suckers! So who’s the lucky fella? Ashley’s college boyfriend, Austin Brannen, from her time at Auburn University. He’s the VP of a real estate firm, and if you choose to believe Reality Steve—which 99% of the time we do!—the pair reconnected in June.

Ashley revealed her big news with a series of romantic Instagram posts that showed off her stunning rock and also happened to feature a bouquet of red roses—hey, at least her fiancé’s got a sense of humor.

We’re totally behind this whirlwind affair. It’s no shorter than the amount of time she was given to find love on television. And here’s hoping it lasts because these two are adorbs.  

Are you surprised by Ashley S.'s quick engagement? Or just plain thrilled she finally found someone?

It’s only natural that a women’s rights issue would be addressed at the “Women for Hillary” event held today in Cedar Falls, Iowa. For the first time since the start of her presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton spoke out against campus sexual assault. “It is not enough to condemn campus sexual assault,” she said. “We need to end campus sexual assault.” Her proposal is intended to continue the work started by President Obama through the “It’s On Us” campaign, which began in September of last year. "It's On Us" is a movement for everyone--particularly men--to take responsibility for preventing sexual violence on campus. 

Though she did not go into detail about her plans, she discussed three major points of her proposal. The first is to create and improve existing resources for survivors of sexual assault. "As president, I'll fight to make sure every campus offers every survivor the support she needs and will make sure those services are comprehensive, confidential and coordinated," Clinton said. The second is to reconsider and place greater emphasis on disciplinary proceedings for those accused of assault. Lastly, Clinton discussed implementing more violence prevention programs and beginning these programs earlier on in education.

"To every survivor of sexual assault," she said, "you have the right to be heard. You have the right to be believed. We're with you." Regardless of the outcome of the 2016 election, we hope Hillary stands by this plan!

Vibrantly colored leaves, hot apple cider and corn mazes—there’s no doubt that fall is the prettiest time of year, especially on college campuses. But while it’s tempting to stay inside your dorm room studying, your college town and surrounding area likely have a myriad of fun fall activities that you can do on the weekend either alone or with friends. Trust us—it’ll be a great palette cleanser after spending the week in the library, and it would be criminal to stay inside this time of year! Lace up your favorite boots, pack a bag and get ready for your best weekends yet. We teamed up with premium boot brand SOREL to give you our picks for the best ways to get moving this fall.

1. Go apple picking  

Call it the classic autumn activity. Grab your sorority sisters, your boyfriend or your bestie and hit up your local orchard. Whether you’re in New England or the Midwest, apple orchards have everything from drool-worthy cider doughnuts to scenic farm landscapes. The best part? You’ll leave with a heaping bag of Honeycrisps and Jonathans. Perfect for a post-outing pie! Skip your basic flats and put on some SOREL boots. SOREL is known for its iconic style and legendary craftsmanship. We especially love the Out N’ About style in sage and black. Don’t let rainy days deter you from apple picking! These boots are made for mud and muck.

2. Shop local at a farmers market

It’s time to ditch your campus grocer this fall (Trust us, it’s overpriced anyway). Farmers markets are a goldmine of deliciousness—get everything from your usual produce and bread to specialty items like nut butters, meat, pickles and jams. You’ll be supporting local farmers and businesses and you’ll likely find a new must-have staple for your pantry.

3. Build a bonfire

Put those Girl Scout skills to work: Bonfires are a great way to keep the outdoor party going even when the temperature outside gets cool. If you go to school in a city, you may have to drive a bit, but locate your closest campground and all the firewood you can get. Be sure to bring marshmallows and blankets!

4. Take a hike

There’s literally nothing better than crisp fall air. Ditch the library and go on a hike at a local trail. If you’re lucky enough to go to school near a national park, be sure to stop there, too. Not only are hikes a great way to reconnect with nature after spending all week in a classroom, but it’s also one of our favorite forms of exercise. Be sure to bring some homemade trail mix!

5. Get lost in a corn maze

While you’re at your local apple orchard, stop by the corn maze—we swear they’re not just for kids. Team up and challenge your friends to see who can get to the other side first.

6. Rent a cabin in the woods

There’s nothing more romantic than getting cozy in a cabin on a crisp September night. Plan a special overnight date for you and your SO or a fun sleepover party for your girls. Roast s’mores outside and go on refreshing morning walks—we promise it’ll be a weekend to remember. Keep your feet warm with SORELMajor Carly boots—they’re  functional yet bold with style.

7. Go on a hayride

Trek to your local pumpkin patch and go on a hayride. It’s a great way to meet new people and an even better way to bond with old friends—it’ll remind you of your childhood! Be sure to bring a steaming hot cup of apple cider to keep you warm!Definitely take a break from the daily hustle of campus and be inspired by the great outdoors. We know we’ll be donning our SOREL boots—they look great marching on fall foliage and all the way back to the classroom.

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

There's this guy I like. We are dating but I know he's not the one and that he still needs to mature. I like him a lot and I just don't have the guts to end it, because he started out as my best friend. How do I do it? – Confused Cassie

Confused Cassie,

You should end it as soon as possible if you are sure you have no future together. Since you’re dating, he is probably unaware that you feel the relationship is no longer worth pursuing. It is unfair for him not to know. As the only other person invested in your relationship, he needs to know how you truly feel. The longer you wait, the more hurt he may be. Since you’re friends, you have even more of an obligation to tell him, regardless of how difficult it may seem.

Be sure of yourself. By breaking it off, you are going to lose your chance of dating him in the future. I only say this because if you stay friends, he will have to get over any non-platonic feelings he has for you. While this is natural, understand that you may have to witness him progress into a more mature man, and you will not be able to rekindle what you had. I am not sure how you feel he has to grow up, but make sure it’s not an empty reason.

With that being said and knowing he is not what you are looking for, just tell him how you feel. Try to stay friends if you want, but understand that your friendship may not revert back to what you had before. Your previous friendship makes the conversation appear difficult and risky. In reality, the risk of losing the friendship was assumed equally by both of you when you started dating. You’re ending it—and the immediate effect of this decision should be no surprise to you, nor will it be your fault in any way. Simply say you no longer want to be more than friends. Expect questions in return and be understanding that he most likely will be emotional. Be nice, tell the truth and you will both be fine.

-Jon

We’ve all read these kinds of lists before. They’re usually made up of extremely cheesy things you simply must do while you’re still considerably young. But this list is different. Why? Because we’ve compiled things you actually need to do while you’re still in your 20s. Don’t thank us; it was really no bother at all.

1. Find your Central Perk.

Take this literally or in the metaphorical way it was intended. You need a group of friends that will surround you in good times and bad. Think Dawson’s Creek when the unbearable youth drama would occasionally give way to touching moments of pure friendship. Or for a less complicated example, Friends ALWAYS.

2.  Be funny. Even if you’re not.

Sadly, some people just don’t have a funny bone in their body. But that doesn’t mean you can’t try. Surely someone will pity you and laugh at your miserable excuse for comedy.

3. Put down your electronics.

Your phone, your laptop, your TV—if you can lift it! Put those things down and pay attention to what’s in front of you. We’re betting you can’t even remember what a bird’s sweet melodies sound like anymore. Although we’re having trouble recalling this ourselves, we happen to think it’s nothing like the chirp of an incoming text.

4. Learn how to be alone.

Whether that means you’re comfortable with the single life or you don’t envision Psycho ever time you take a shower, aloneness doesn’t dictate loneliness. Tip: have a harpoon and an online dating profile at the ready just in case.

5. Save some money. Spend some, too.

It’s okay to #treatyoself, but with great power a real job comes great responsibility. Become acquainted with a savings account, and know that sometimes keeping your InStyle subscription is an emergency purchase.

6. Do a lot of things for the first time.

This is one of the best parts of being young. If you’ve never put sour cream on your Chipotle before, go for it! The sky is the limit.

7. Tell people how you feel.

When did it become awkward for people to share their true feelings with others? We want to be able to tell our best friends we love them without getting pesky side-glares from our fellow humans. Maybe we’ll send a card instead.

8. Acquire mentors beyond those in your Netflix queue.

Sure, there’s a bounty of career and life goals we acquired from worshiping Blair Waldorf. But it would be a heck of a lot cooler if you tracked down Leighton Meester and forced her to be your mentor IRL.

9. Travel. Now.

Or you could also travel later. There’s not a cutoff age for travelling—that we know of. So go now, go in a few years. It’s really up to you.

10. Kick butt at the job that makes up happy…

… even if it doesn’t allow for frequent trips to Kate Spade. Happiness > money, EVERY TIME. Basically, you should be like a post-Destiny’s Child Beyoncé if you catch our drift.

11. Enjoy your twenty-something bod.

You won’t always feel or look like that, you know? Partake in a faddish exercise program, get the cotton candy at concerts and wear that shirt that exposes a risqué yet tasteful sliver of skin. 

12. Listen to the world outside of yourself.

You can be somewhat selfish in your 20s, but don’t ignore that great big world out there. Jon Stewart may have left The Daily Show, but that’s no excuse for you to tune out what really matters. And Saturday Night Live lives on, so you’re totally covered on that whole current events thing.

13. Don’t pull a Britney.

If you find yourself with an umbrella and a razor in your hand, call a friend. Because being a hot mess is so 2007.

14. Realize how resilient you are.

Dark times are a part of life. But you’ll find th-that that don’t kill you can only make you stronger. Yes, that was an explicit Kanye reference, and we won’t apologize for it.

15. Talk to a stranger.

Not the kind that offers you candy as he creeps by in a beat-up white van. We’re talking little old ladies behind you in the checkout line and friends of friends who may one day be your friends too.

16. Annihilate your comfort zone.

Take risks. Be brave. Other stereotypical high school classroom poster sayings that totally apply here.

17. Be kind and expect nothing in return.

Do nice stuff for the sake of making someone else smile. Even if it’s your roommate and she already promised you could borrow her LBD Saturday night.

18. Fall in love. Fall out of love. Repeat.

Try it. And then try it again. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from The Bachelorette, sometimes your future husband is not in this particular room.

19. Live the clichéd quotes that are littering your Pinterest page.

You’ve been repinning your little heart out. Now, take that inspiration and roll with it.

20. Do something that’s so millennial it hurts.

Audition for a reality show. Take a selfie. Also, see # 10.

As young women, we all tend to overreact to some very normal life problems. Whether our hair isn’t behaving or we have a huge zit on our face, our minds can wander into the danger zone of blowing the situation completely out of proportion.

There are a million things in this world that we shouldn’t worry about, but we do anyway. However, focusing on the positive things in life and not worrying about the little things is totally possible! Here are some of the most relevant worries we have and the best ways to calm yourself down when you’re freaking out about them.

1. You have “nothing to wear”

What’s going though your mind

There are 10 minutes before you have to leave for class, and you literally have nothing to wear. All of your clothes are too casual, too fancy, super unflattering, in the laundry (see #8) or just ugly. Everyone is going to be judging you by what you wear, and you want people to get the right impression of you.

The solution

Take a deep breath, throw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and head out to class. The chance that every single kid in your 300-person econ lecture is going to think you’re a slob for wearing a simple outfit is miniscule. As long as you carry yourself well and look semi-put together, you’ll look great. We promise.

2. You’re having the worst hair day ever

What’s going though your mind

It’s the one day you need to look presentable, and your hair is doing everything you don’t want it to do. Your roots are greasy, your ends are dry and split, the baby hairs around your face won’t stay down and your strands won’t hold a curl for dear life. Your hair looks gross, and you’re contemplating just shaving it all off.

The solution

First, the inventors of dry shampoo should be awarded some sort of medal for their ingenious creation. It was made for days like this when your hair is just being uncooperative; it can be used to soak up unwanted grease from your roots and act as a volumizer. Also, there are a bazillion hairstyles that are perfect for bad hair days, like braids, buns and ponies (oh my!).

3. A guy isn’t texting you back

What’s going through your mind

It’s been, like, 20 minutes since you texted him, and he still hasn’t responded. What could he possibly be doing that he can’t take a 10-second break from to text you back? What if he thinks what you said was dumb or offensive or weird? What if he’s too busy making out with that girl you saw him talk to that one time in chemistry lab? Does he think you’re ugly?!

The solution

We can tell you with confidence that just because he isn’t texting you every second of every day doesn’t mean he doesn’t like you. Just because he got caught up playing 2K15 in his friend’s dorm room does not, we repeat, does NOT mean he’s lost interest in you. Look on the bright side: At least he has a life and doesn’t just sit around all day staring at his phone! That would make for a pretty boring dude.

4. You cheated on your diet

What’s going through your mind

Your gluten-free, no-sugar, 1,200-calories-per-day diet was going so well for the past three days until, oops, you couldn’t resist the cupcakes your RA was handing out during your hall meeting. You’re probably going to gain 25 pounds just from eating that cupcake, and your body is going to be so mad at you. You need to go to the gym and run until you can’t feel your legs anymore or eat literally nothing but carrot sticks for the next week to get back on track.

The solution

The point of a diet is to be healthy, not torture yourself! You should never feel ashamed for eating, no matter how strict of a “diet” you were supposedly on. We know this might sound crazy, but even the most fit and in-shape people indulge once in a while. It’s not natural to deprive your body completely of any certain food unless you have an actual allergy. Balance is key to eating healthy, so don’t be afraid of those sweets, girl!

5. You have a TON of homework

What’s going though your mind

You just looked in your planner and the million to-do lists you have on sticky notes all over your desk and realized that you have an insane amount of work to get done. Oh, and the best part? It’s all due this upcoming week. The even better part? You don’t have a second of free time this week between classes and clubs and intramurals. No matter how you try to organize your work or even attempt to conquer the enormous workload, the number of things you have to do just keeps growing and growing. The world is ending; you can feel it.

The solution

Okay, so first of all, the world is not ending. We can promise you that much. Next, you need to do some serious organizing and prioritizing. Make a list with three columns: things that need to be done ASAP, things that need to be done by the end of tomorrow and things that need to be done by the end of the week. Crossing things off your list will make you feel super accomplished. Don’t forget to take study breaks!

6. There’s a girl flirting with your crush

What’s going though your mind

So you did your hair and makeup really nicely and you have on your cutest outfit for the big party tonight because you were planning on talking to the cute guy who lives down the hall from you. You have some mutual friends who have talked to him, so you know he thinks you’re cute, and tonight is the night when you’re going to make your big move. Then you see him talking to this girl wearing a much cuter outfit than you, and your heart drops. That’s it. It’s never going to happen. You want to go home. Your night is ruined.

The solution

The point of parties is to socialize and meet new people, so it’s natural that there are going to be other people there whom he is going to talk to. Even though you were really looking forward to talking to him, you’re going to talk to other people too, right? This is just something you’re going to have to have the confidence to get over. You’re a beautiful girl whom any guy would be lucky to have the chance to get to know; don’t forget that!

7. Your phone is about to die

What’s going through your mind

It’s around lunchtime and you’re on your way to your third class of the day when you pull out your phone to check your email. As you unlock the screen, your heart drops when you see that you have two percent battery left on your phone.  That’s like five minutes left for you to find a charger until you’re cut off from the world. You don’t have time to run back to your dorm before your next class, and you have a meeting with a professor right after. You’re going to miss three hours worth of texts, tweets, Instagrams, Snapchats and Facebook posts; you might as well not even exist. Goodbye, world; it was nice knowing you.

The solution

We’ll be the first to confess that we’re a little bit dependent on our phones. It’s something that we’re fully aware of and are willing to admit (admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery, right?). There is a rational part of your brain that should be able to understand how silly you’re being right now, though. People go days, weeks, even months without cell phones by choice; three hours is not going to wipe you off the face of the social media world. And, remember, there was a time in your life when you didn’t have a smartphone—and you totally survived.

Let this be a nice break from technology and a chance to fully focus on class and your schoolwork without the distraction of your phone vibrating every other minute. Oh, and just a tip for future reference: Keep an extra phone charger in your bag.

8. Your laundry is piling up

What’s going through your mind

You haven’t gotten the chance to do your laundry in about two and a half weeks. Not only does this mean you have a heaping pile of clothes in the corner of your room, but it also means that you’re going to have to do around three loads of laundry to get them all clean. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

The solution

First things first, you need to separate your laundry into however many loads you think it will take to get it all cleaned. Put the first load in, do some homework, put the second load in, run to a meeting, put the third load in, organize your planner for the week. The task seems a lot less daunting when you divide it up into smaller parts, and knocking other things off your to-do list while you wait will make you feel super productive.

Just do your laundry every week to avoid this problem. You can also set an alarm on your phone that goes off once a week at a certain time; no matter what you’re doing, no matter where you are, the alarm means it’s laundry time. Drop everything you’re doing and go do your laundry, girl!

9. You’re running low on cash

What’s going through your mind

When you checked your bank account last week, you could have sworn there was at least $200 in there. You just checked your balance and it’s down to $6! What?! Where did all your money go? All you’ve really spent money on in the past week is four dinners, two movie tickets, lunch almost every day and the cutest pair of heels (they were on sale; you couldn’t resist).

The solution

Frivolous spending is a bad habit that we’re all guilty of. Swiping a piece of plastic and getting whatever you want in return is such a great feeling, but you can easily lose track of your spending that way. Try to get in the habit of checking your bank account balance every night before you go to bed. This is a good way to see how much money you’re spending each day and what that money is being spent on. A lot of banks have mobile apps; not only will these allow you to check your balance, but some also allow you to deposit checks and even transfer money from your savings to checking account, all on the go!

10. You just got a huge pimple

What’s going through your mind

You knew it was too good to be true when you hadn’t had any major breakouts in over a month. You were so excited and thought maybe this was the end of that phase where you still got pimples, but you jinxed it. You woke up this morning to a nice, red zit on your cheek.

This isn’t the kind you can just dab a little bit of concealer on to hide it; this a mountain on your face that cant be hidden. Mount Pimpleous is a stubborn little thing that just gets redder and more irritated the more you mess with it. Of course this happens right before you have a huge presentation to make in front of your psychology class. Everyone is going to be looking at it and thinking about how disgusting you are instead of listening to a word you’re saying.

The solution

Everyone and their mother has told us to not pop our pimples. And of course we all know that the more you pick at and mess with a blemish, the worse it’s going to get. We’ve all had pimples, and anyone who says otherwise is a liar. Some adults still have to deal with acne in their 40s and 50s, so you’re not alone here.

As much as it might pain you, try not to cake your pimple with makeup or spend hours in front of the mirror trying to squeeze the life out of it. Wait a few days, and it should be gone. As far as your presentation goes, if someone is shallow enough to judge you based entirely on a single pimple you have on your face, that’s their problem, not yours.

11. You can’t find anything to watch on Netflix

What’s going through your mind

You finally have some downtime, so you decide to browse Netflix for something to watch. Parks and Rec, 30 Rock and Gossip Girl are all out of the question because, as amazing as all those shows are, you’ve seen them way too many times. All of the TV shows look weird, and all of the movies are from 2003. You’re not interested. You scroll and click through every single section on the website and find absolutely nothing. There goes an hour of your life you’re never getting back, and it’s time for you to head back out for class now. Ugh.

The solution

Netflix’s selection is enormous, so there has to be something that you haven’t seen yet that you’d like to watch. Thankfully, some likeminded people have created a website that helps you decide what to watch. If they still can’t help you out, consider a subscription to Hulu Plus, which has a lot of current shows and past seasons of popular shows. It’s only $7.99 per month and it’s super easy to sign up; the link to it is right on Hulu’s homepage.

12. You forgot to put on deodorant

What’s going through your mind

You had a bit of a rough morning: You snoozed your alarm three times, woke up late, didn’t have time to eat or shower before class and barely made it to the lecture hall on time for your 8 a.m. Amidst all the chaos, you forgot to swipe on some deodorant before you ran out of your room. It also just so happens to be one of the hottest days of the week, and you’re sweating like a pig. Awesome. You hope no one notices your smell as you sit in class with your arms glued to your sides, not even moving them to pick up your pen that fell on the ground.

The solution

For the time being, try to keep your arms down by your side and pray to the hormone gods that you stop sweating. If you don’t think that will help, go to the bathroom and wipe down any place you’re feeling extra sweaty with a paper towel. This won’t completely solve your dilemma, but it will surely mask your problem until you have time to go back to your room.

Something that can come in handy for the future is a travel-sized deodorant to keep in your bag. If you can sneak to the bathroom to freshen up, your stress will definitely be relieved.

Life is full of little things that are unpleasant, but that doesn’t mean that you have to freak out like it’s the end of the world. Everyone, and yes, we mean everyone, runs into some bumps in the road during the day. The best way to get over them is to simply understand that life goes on. Don’t sweat the small stuff!

Lela Rose is known for her elegant, youthful take on formal attire and daywear, so it's only fitting that the beauty for the Spring/Summer 2016 show follow suit. 

Makeup, by Romy Soleimani for Beauty.com with Kevyn Aucoin products, featured a tight yet boldly graphic thin line of black eyeliner around the entire eye with a tiny upward wing in the corners. Soleimani chose to do the look without mascara to give the face a more youthful look, a look amplified by a creamy rose gold glow dabbed onto the cheeks and cheekbones with a natural and shiny lip. In a similar playful style, lead hairstylist James Pecis twisted textured hair into a messy but chic updo, with flyaway hairs purposely floating by the ears.

"Less is more" might be a cliche, but with looks like this, it's perfect—and even necessary—for youthful elegance.

Zero + Maria Cornejo's clothing can be described as flowing and sophisticated, and this is perfectly mirrored by the hair, makeup, and nails chosen for the designer's New York Fashion Week runway show. The "witchy, art student" is how lead hairstylist James Pecis described the inspiration for this season's fashion show. We chatted with James backstage at Zero + Maria Cornejo, and got all the scoop on how the average collegiette can achieve this eccentric yet effortless look!

Taking cues from the typical artsy student, James developed a look that reflects a girl-on-the-go, who is so preoccupied with the events in her life that she leaves little time to style her hair. "She's a bit of a hermit," James said of the girl who inspired the look.  

In order to achieve this ideal hairstyle, James created a deep side part to give the illusion of bangs pulled across the forehead. Next, a one-inch Hot Tools Professional Marcel Iron was used to create irregular, alternating waves. To avoid the appearance of party-esque curls, James didn't wrap hair around the entire hot iron. The result? Easy, beautiful waves.  

To add an extra boost of volume, James added PHYTO Professional Intense Volume Mousse, applied to the tips of the fingers and raked through the waves. Using this method, your hair can stay volumized throughout the entire day, whether you're running to class or out with the girls! 

Next, flatten and tuck hair behind the ears, leaving a few loose pieces in the front. To finish off the look, James suggests spraying a good amount of PHYTO Phytoplage Protective Sun Oil before adding PHYTO Phytovolume Actif Volumizing Spray (who doesn't want a little extra va-va-voom?). 

It's no secret that T. Swift is absolutely mad about the popular crime show Law & Order: SVU, now going into its 17th season. She's adopted the show's kickass female lead, Mariska Hargitay, into her squad, and even named one of her cats after Hargitay's character on the show. Most recently, Hargitay not only guest starred in Swift's video for "Bad Blood":

but also showed up for a surprise appearance during a concert on Swift's 1989 tour:

So it's pretty clear from all of this that Taylor owes Hargitay a pretty sizeable favor... and she might just be fulfilling that in the form of a possible guest starring role on SVU. Hargitay mentioned in an ET interview that the idea is definitely up for serious consideration. Of course, they'll have to wait until the singer's widely successful 1989 tour comes to a close, but Hargitay says that it might just happen in the end.

We know Tay couldn't possibly pass up a fan's-dream-come-true opportunity like this, so get your DVRs ready because that episode will not be one to miss. But in the meantime, you can catch Law & Order: SVU on NBC, Wednesdays at 9 p.m. starting Sept. 23!

This article has been syndicated to Her Campus from Aspiring Socialite by Vicky Sullivan, a Her Campus Blogger Network member. Read the full post here.

For SS16, Max and Lubov Azria celebrated the 30th anniversary of Hervé Léger by Max Azria by evolving beyond their signature bandage dress. This season, the design house focused on highly textured patterns and innovative surface designs.

The textured designs combined with neutral tones make us remember the woman wearing the dress—rather than just the dress. For the final walk, the designers showed some of their signature pieces curated from 2009 to the present; it was amazing to see it all together on the runway.

Read the full post on Aspiring Socialite.