As we all already know, Beyoncé wins at pretty much everything. And this year, she's really beat us all to the punch. We'll just say this—if you were planning on being a superhero for Halloween this year, you'll want to make sure it's not the same one that Queen Bey rocked over the weekend.

Bey showed up to Ciara's superhero-themed party as X-M​en hero Storm... even blowing Ciara's catwoman costume out of the water (imagine being upstaged at your own birthday party—ugh!). Sorry, Ciara, but you should have expected that one!

So, Bey has already taken home the award for Best Costume this year (yes, before Halloween has even started, of course). Better luck next October, girls! 

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 Mark is here to help you navigate the college dating scene!

Hello! So I'm a sophomore, and last year I made a great group of friends. After hanging together for a few months, I started to crush on one of my friends. I like him because he knows how to listen, and I feel like we "get" each other. He has also done a couple of beautiful things for me (he gifted me a notebook he bought on his last trip for my b-day because he knows I write a diary...). However when we go out to a party or a club, he talks to everyone but kind of ignores me. I don't know what to make of it and I don't want to get my hopes up. – Am I Friend Zoned?

Dear Am I Friend Zoned,

To answer your question, yes—you’re being friend zoned! Having a crush is perfectly normal though. It’s very easy to start liking someone you start to hang out with, especially for only a few months. But by the looks of it, you’re saying when you guys are out, he talks to other people. Just because he gifts you things or listens well doesn’t mean he’s interested. Those are things that good friends do for each other. If you two have been friends for months, he would’ve made a move by now without any hesitation. There are signs of when a guy is interested in getting with you. For instance, you guys are always with a group of friends. If he wanted to make a move or be with you only, he would ask to hang out with just the two of you. Or when you guys are at a party or club, he would give you his undivided attention and flirt with you a little. Don’t get your hopes up—it isn’t worth it. If he were interested, he would’ve made a move by now. Just enjoy your friendship with him. This crush isn’t worth losing a good friend. They’re hard to come by today.

-Mark

Once you're in college, the one night event of trick-or-treating turns into four or more days (a.k.a. Halloweekend) of costume parties and free booze. It takes months of preparation to make this the best weekend of the year. Halloween is no longer a day but a season, and it goes a little something like this.

The night starts off with everyone going out in costume to Chipotle for $3 boo-ritos.

Or boo-wls. Nah, that just doesn't have the same ring to it.

Then you and your roommates go and get ready, like, four hours before the party just so you can take a million pictures.

Even though you'll only Instagram one.

You leave for the party, and you start to notice the stares. 

Your costume must be even better than you imagined. People can't stop looking at you.

Oh, wait. They're trying to figure out what your costume is.

You tried to be original with your costume, but you must have tried a little too hard. No one knows what or who you are.

Immediately after getting to the party, you start comparing your costume to everyone else's. 

Surprisingly, you've already seen four other girls with the same costume. At least they get it.

You're doing this...

*clinks, appears to be having fun*

But secretly wish you could be doing this...

*checks Twitter to see which movie is coming on ABC Family next*

Halfway through the night, you realize that most of your costume's accessories are missing.

It doesn't matter, though, because no one seems to notice, and the party is still bumping.

You and your roommates decide to leave early because free booze just doesn't compare to free candy. 

Can't we just go back to a simpler time?

You attempt to pass yourself off as trick-or-treating youths, but parents assume you're trying to lure their children away Hocus Pocus-style. 

You just want candy, and everybody knows what's leftover in those Target bins tomorrow is the equivalent of pure garbage.

You go back to your dorm all like, "I'm never doing this again."

Until you realize this was only the first night of Halloweekend.

So you proclaim that tomorrow night will be better and get ready to take on the next costume party.

One down, three to go. 

So maybe we’ve never broken the Internet, and we don’t have our own published book of selfies. But believe it or not, Kim Kardashian West can be relatable. She may not be a college student, but every now and then, she has moments that drive us to think maybe, just maybe she lived as a collegiette in a previous life. Here’s 13 experiences all collegiettes can relate to, as told by this contour-slaying, selfie-taking reality star.  

1. We’re all too familiar with the freshman 15.                    

2. And it’s enough to ruin our psyche.

3. We’ve mastered the art of procrastination.

4. And sometimes we go a little overboard with the Pinot.

5. There are probably five selfies for every non-selfie in our camera reel.

6. And we are willing to selfie anywhere, any time!

7. Our crushes can never seem to pick up what we’re putting down.

8. And we can never get rid of our exes for good.

9. We’ve all worn a questionable outfit…or two.

10. Not to mention choosing an outfit for literally ANYTHING feels like rocket science!

11. We’re experts at bottling our emotions.

12. Yet, most of the time we don’t even understand our own feelings.

13. And sadly, we still haven’t mastered applying makeup—no matter how much we do it! 

Between studying for that tricky sociology exam and running for student government, collegiettes have almost no free time to shop for Halloween costumes. Don’t worry—we understand that. That’s why we’ve provided a list of the best Halloween costume sites for you to peruse to get inspired for your killer costume (or costumes!) this year.

1. BuyCostumes.com

Coming in at number one on Top 10 Costumes Sites’ list, BuyCostumes.com received A+s across the board for products, prices and shipping. This site can act as your retail Party City at home, but cheaper. It is the largest costume shop on the Internet with literally more than 10,000 costumes for you to choose from. We’re special fans of the animal suits and the superheroes. Not only are its costume prices reasonable at 10-30 percent off of retail value, but its shipping prices are also just as sensible. If you spend $75—which you and your roommates could easily do—you get free shipping. Before placing an order, make sure to check up on store specials to save some money!

2. CostumeSuperCenter.com

CostumeSuperCenter.com prides itself for its variety of costume selection at low prices. Most costumes you find here will be marked down at least 20 percent from retail prices with no catch or special code needed. We also love their same-day shipping policy: As long as you submit your order by 3 p.m., you are guaranteed shipping on the same day! Check out their cute selection of 1920’s-inspired outfits. Party at Gatsby’s, anyone?

3. Frank Bee Costume Center

If you’re in New York, pop your head into Frank Bee Costume Center’s store. If you’re not in New York, its website provides a wide variety with thousands of costumes to choose from. Top 10 Costumes Sites says that the quality of Frank Bee’s cannot be surpassed. Because of that and the great service Top 10 Costumes Sites mentions, Frank Bee Costume Center made our list. This site received an A for shipping because of its $8 UPS flat rate, no matter how big or how small your order is. We’re certainly feelin’ this Lady Gaga costume!

4. Costume Kingdom

Although Costume Kingdom was 10th on Top 10 Costumes Sites’ list, it made our top five because of its unique costumes. It offers “many costumes not found elsewhere,” said Top 10 Costumes Sites. Most of its products are fairly priced, while others are at even more discounted prices. Still, all costumes are marked down from their original retail prices. That’s always good news for collegiettes! We’re also loving their Disney costumes. What more could you want?

By now, you've probably seen or at least heard about Adele's music video for her newly released single "Hello." The track is off her latest album 25, set to be released on November 20.

The song is pure Adele glory, a heartwrenching tale of breakup angst portrayed by her beautiful signature voice. Yet oddly enough one of the biggest questions people had about the video, which has now gathered more than 79 million views, was about a certain prop that you might pick up on in the first few moments of the video. Specifically, people wanted to know why on earth Adele—in the year 2015—was using a flip phone?

That's right ladies—the song might be fresh but the technology Adele was sporting was straight out of the early 2000s:

So why was the soulful British crooner using this painfully outdated technology? Was it a political statement? Is it part of the video's storyline? "Hello" director Xavier Dolan explained in an interview with People magazine that in fact neither was true.

"It's just not that big of a deal. It makes me uncomfortable filming iPhones because I feel like I'm shooting an iPhone commercial," said Dolan of his decision to use the basic cellular device. "Those things: iPhones, laptops, all those elements, to me, they bring me back to reality: That's not what you want. You want to get out of your own life; you want to enter someone else's; you want to travel somewhere; you want to be told a story."

Apparently Adele was completely on board with the sentiment because it made the final cut, but Dolan wonders if using such a conspicuous anachronism in his video might be detracting from the full emotional weight of the video that he wants his viewers to experience.

"The only thing I'm hoping for is that they're going to be touched by the video," Dolan explained, adding, "I'm realizing maybe I've been more distracting than anything else with that flip phone, but it wasn't intentional!"

By the time midterms roll around, it can start to feel as though you’ve become trapped in the monotony of your daily routine. Between classes, studying and club meetings, it may be days before you actually step foot off campus for a change of scenery.

So, now is the perfect time to shake things up and do a little exploring around your local town or city! Consider one of these tips for getting acquainted with your area’s local hotspots and hidden gems so that you’ll be ready whenever you feel the need for an off-campus getaway. 

1. Taste test local restaurants

Exploring your town’s dining scene is a great way to get familiar with the local flavor. Research nearby restaurants and make a list of favorites to try throughout the semester. Collegiette Alexandra Follman also suggests “going to places around campus and town that have deals for students of the university.” It’s a great way to save some money, and you may even run into some other students you can mingle with while you’re there! 

2. Find a new study spot

When the library starts to feel gloomy and claustrophobic, consider scouting out new study spots around town. Donna Amore, a student at University of Scranton, says she enjoys “studying at small coffee shops off campus… for a change of scenery.” Cafes, parks and bookstores can be great places to relax and block out the distractions of bustling campus activity. Think about the spaces you work best in, then go on a hunt for that cozy study corner of your dreams!

3. Organize a scavenger hunt with friends

This one might take a little planning, but a scavenger hunt is a totally unique, interactive way to explore your city. Do some research ahead of time and establish a list of items or photos that participants should get throughout their hunt. This might include gathering pamphlets or business cards from local shops, taking pictures with landmarks or statues, or grabbing a coffee or drink at a certain place. At the end of the hunt, everyone can come together and chat about what they discovered!

If you’re not into making your own scavenger hunt, check out companies like Urban Adventure Quest and Watson Adventures, which facilitate elaborate scavenger hunts in various cities around the country.

4. Join an off-campus organization

If you want to get involved off campus on a deeper level, explore the organizations and volunteer programs available in your local community. Websites like Meetup offer unique social activities for every interest and are tailored to your specific geographic area. In addition, many cities have club teams for a variety of sports, which are perfect for the sports fan who enjoys an occasional pick-up game but doesn’t want the commitment of a college league.

Alaina, a former student at Westfield State University, also suggests volunteering. “I helped out several local nonprofits, including a foster children’s advocacy program,” she says. “It was so incredible to get involved and see how helping out can make a difference, and it allows you to feel connected to the town and explore a little, too.”

5. Go on a bar crawl

If you and your friends are 21 or older, bars are great places to hang out and soak up the local culture! Gather your girlfriends for a night of bar hopping and figure out which locations you like best. You could also consider setting up a weekly happy hour. It’s the perfect way to meet new people and engage with friends from on and off campus. 

6. Rent a car (or bike) and go for a ride

Whether your college town is super small and you need to escape, or you’re simply looking for a good mini-vacation, heading outside of the city limits is a great way to refresh and recharge. Rental companies like Zipcar and Car2Go are great for day trips and are usually quite affordable. Research some nearby towns, cities or parks and enlist friends for a quick getaway.

Valeria Alvarez also suggests taking a bike ride to neighboring areas. “My campus has a bike club and they explore the town and other nearby towns as well,” Valeria says. Biking will save you a bundle of money, and you’ll get in a great workout while you’re at it!

7. Don't be afraid to ask for advice

It may seem obvious to ask for advice from people who are more familiar with the area, but making an effort to reach out to even the most unlikely of sources can pay off. For instance, talk to your professors about their favorite parts of the city; they’ve likely been living there longer than any student and might divulge some great hidden gems.

There are also tons of great online resources that allow you to connect with locals and review their opinions. American University student Dani Weisfeld says, “When in doubt, Yelp! I’ve found it really helpful trying to find anything I need.” Websites like Localeur also offer an amazing selection of recommendations from area natives, while sites like Chowhound are perfect for discovering new restaurants. 

Change is rarely easy, especially when it means leaving friends and family for a whole new experience in an unknown place. In order to ease the transition and make college living a little more comfortable (and exciting!), try to get a feel for the town or city you’re in, and don’t be afraid to explore. You’ll never know what kind of treasures exist right in your new neighborhood until you venture off campus!

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s time to plan your travel accommodations, collegiettes! Although we’re all too eager for this much-needed break, we can’t ignore the massive headache that is Thanksgiving travel. When you’re fated to suffer through train delays and anxious airport crowds, the last thing you need to concern yourself with is lousy luggage.

Fortunately, LeSportsac is giving you an extra reason to be thankful this holiday season. Whether your Turkey Day plans are taking you an hour away or 1,000 miles away, LeSportsac’s Large Weekender bag will easily see you through all types of trying Thanksgiving travel.

The Large Weekender is lightweight, durable, and spacious enough to hold all of your travel needs. Can’t decide on a Thanksgiving Day outfit? Pack multiple options! Need to store and easily access your wallet and passport? There are front compartments for that, too.

Packing and commuting are nerve-wracking enough as is, but thanks to LeSportsac, three lucky winners will travel in style with these amazing bags. Stress less this Thanksgiving by entering now for the chance to win!

LeSportsac

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, The Her Campus Guide to College Life, just hit stores!

Order your copy online here or head to your local Barnes & Noble! And be sure to check out our upcoming schedule of book signing events and see if we're coming to your area!

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.

Want a sneak preview? Read an excerpt from our book here then order your copy!

I can't wait to hear what you think!

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

Just when we thought Frozen fever was finally behind us (yes, it did take nearly two years for us to get the songs out of our heads), we’re being sucked right back in by a brand new cover of the smash hit Disney tune “Let It Go” by Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale and country band Rascal Flatts. Check it out:

There have been countless covers of this song, originally performed by the incomparable Idina Menzel, but this new country version offers a fresh take. It premiered earlier this week on RyanSeacrest.com, and is being released as part of the new We Love Disney album, which drops on October 30 and features tracks from other Top 40 artists like Ariana Grande, Fall Out Boy, Jason DeRulo and Gwen Stefani.

Though nothing will really ever compare to the original, we love the cheerful, uplifting vibes this country-twanged cover of the song offers. We just hope this version won’t be stuck in our head for the foreseeable future...

Get ready for a scary good deal. Like, $3 burritos good. That’s right; this Halloween, Chipotle is opening its heart and sharing some of its signature yumminess at a discounted rate. But there’s got to be a catch, right? Technically, yes. But it’s a surprisingly fun and oh-so-worth-it catch.

Leave it to Chipotle to get real about the terrifying additives that most fast food chains are still serving in their food. In fact, there are approximately 3,000 plus “unneces-scary” additives that are used in the fast food you’re sold every day. Thanks to the college that is Chipotle, you can even explore these spooky additions—like carboxymethyl cellulose and propylene glycol, which don’t sound like things we’d ever willingly eat—on Chipotle’s website and learn what other restaurants are using them for.

Better yet, if you show up to Chipotle on Halloween from 5 p.m. to closing time in costume and include one unnecessary “additive” with your getup, you’ll be rewarded with a $3 burrito. Easy and fun! Some of our favorite suggestions are Martian Monroe, a.k.a. Marilyn Monroe gone Martian, Vamp-erina, a vampire/ballerina hybrid, and Captain T-Rex, a dino with pirate proclivities. We cannot wait to see what you come up with, collegiettes.

Check out this shocked “Cheapotle” customer’s reaction to the news that she doesn’t even know what she’s been eating.

Any ideas about what unnecessary thing you’ll be adding to your Halloween costume? After all, you gotta get that $3 boorito! 

Warning: there are still some naysayers out there who are spreading lies about denim on denim. Sure, you might feel like you’re getting some second glances when you try this classic look out for the first time. But the Canadian tuxedo is here to stay, and it’s the ultimate go-to ensemble for collegiettes in need of an easy, last-minute outfit. Here are three ways we’ll be rocking denim on denim on campus.

1. Tried and true

 

Abercrombie Fitch blue shirt
abercrombie.com
 

 

Abercrombie & Fitch high waisted skinny jeans
abercrombie.com
 

 

Lost Ink bootie boots
asos.com
 

 

Target sash belt
target.com
 

The chambray shirt and denim skinnies look is one of our all-time favorites. This outfit in particular has a few slight updates, with a cropped button-down and high-waisted jeans taking the place of more traditional cuts. A wide, tan belt breaks up the monochromatic palette. Finish it off with heeled booties; FYI—this taller, not-quite-ankle bootie is THE shoe you must have in your closet this fall.

2. Laid-back overkill

 

Madewell jean jacket
madewell.com
 

 

Overall
pinkice.com
 

 

Superga sneaker
solesociety.com
 

 

Black backpack
yoins.com
 

 

Kate Spade gold jewelry
nordstrom.com
 

This outfit is heavy on the denim, so it’s probably best for an experienced double denim wearer. Distressed overalls pair perfectly with that denim jacket you’ve likely had since high school (or before? We don’t judge!). White sneaks, a sleek faux leather backpack and simple gold bracelet ensure that you appear just the right amount of effortless.

3. Everything old is new again

 

BDG white midi dress
urbanoutfitters.com
 

 

J Crew button shirt
jcrew.com
 

 

Coco Jameson floral cardigan
buckle.com
 

 

Unisa thigh boots
dsw.com
 

 

A.J. Morgan aviator glasses
nastygal.com
 

The '70s are always in for fall. Layer your button-down denim shirt under this denim dress—the washes should match as closely as possible for optimal effect. A fringed, floral cardigan goes over that; you don’t want to be too covered, so roll up the sleeves of the denim shirt to show a peek of skin. And, in case you didn’t know, every fashion gal is swapping out her tights for over-the-knee boots this season. Follow suit for a truly boho-chic get-up.

Will you be attempting denim on denim on campus this fall, collegiettes?

If we’ve learned anything from the mean girls in our fav TV shows and movies, it’s that girls can sometimes have a dark side. We lived through middle school and high school cliques, and even in college, a mean text, group chatting and even Snapchatting can become sneaky and hurtful. We’ve all gone through it, and chances are, we’ve been mean too. Anyone can be a bully—even a friend. Not all bullying is physical—especially among girls. 

It’s up to us to change the cycle. It’s hard enough to be a woman—so we’ve got to band together to gang up for good.

In honor of October’s National Bullying Prevention Month, Secret Mean Stinks is announcing their first Nice Scholarship to celebrate students who stand up to girl-to-girl bullying through nice words and actions. The Nice Scholarship will award three students $10,000 each toward college tuition!

To enter, visit www.MeanStinksScholarship.com and share how you’ll bring an end to bullying once and for all, while spreading nice and making a positive impact on those around you. You must be 17 or older to enter, and winners will be chosen by a panel of judges based your understanding of the issues, organization of your essay, leadership and results of your anti-bullying plan and grammar and spelling. Think of this as a productive way to procrastinate—with potentially a huge payoff. Submissions will be accepted now through December 14. The winners will be announced and recognized for their efforts at the start of 2016 on www.MeanStinks.com and via Secret Mean Stinks’ social platforms!

This is an absolutely amazing movement—and something we need to get behind. How do YOU gang up for good?

*Contest rules: Students must be 17 or older to enter, and winners will be chosen by a panel of sponsor-selected judges based on the following judging criteria: purpose and support, organization and logic of idea, leadership and results and grammar and spelling. Submissions will be accepted Oct. 15 through Dec. 14 and the winners will be announced and recognized for their efforts at the start of 2016 on MeanStinks.com and via Secret Mean Stinks’ social platforms.

A Florida lawmaker has just introduced a new “religious freedom” bill, and it’s terrifying. The bill, filed by state representative Julio Gonzalez, would allow doctors, caregivers, and businesses the right to deny treatment or services to individuals (ahem, women and LGBT individuals) based on “religious or moral convictions or policies.”

This means that even if a certain health care institution isn’t religiously affiliated, any individual doctor, nurse, pharmacist, etc. could refuse to provide birth control, Plan B or abortion services if they feel it is against their personal beliefs.

Though the bill does not explicitly target LGBT individuals, according to the Herald Tribune the bill is worded broadly enough to allow for discrimination against any customer based on “moral grounds.”

It has been pointed out that this law would mean that business owners could even discriminate based on race.

“The argument that there is to be some sort of defensible discrimination based on race is hollow, void and inapplicable, so I don’t think you can equate the two,” Gonzalez told the Tribune. We’re guessing he’s referring to equating racial equality to gay rights—but last we checked, both of those things fall under this one category called “human rights.”

“There have been various situations where there are increasing possibilities of subsections of society having their religious freedoms encroached on,” Gonzalez said, likely in reference to this year’s nationwide legalization of gay marriage and the recent increase in adoption by gay couples. “Over time it became obvious to me we need to adopt some statutory protections,” he said. There recently have been some highly publicized cases of business owners refusing service for religious reasons, such as a Colorado bakery owner who was sued for refusing to bake a wedding cake for a same sex couple.

The bill hasn’t been passed, and it has yet to find a sponsor in the Senate. It’s likely to be one of the most talked about bills of the next legislative session, and will face a lot of opposition. But in 2015, it’s kind of sad that we’re even still having these kinds of discussions in the first place.

There are few things more terrifying to a collegiette than a pregnancy scare, regardless of the situation. Your period is a day late, then two, and before you know it, you’re in full-on panic mode. Whether you’re single, you’re casually dating or you’ve been in a committed relationship for years, a missed period is bound to lead to panic and spiraling thoughts for anyone. During a potential pregnancy, it can be difficult to think straight and figure out what your next move should be, which is why we’re here to provide you with some advice on what to do if you think you might be pregnant.

First steps

How late is too late?

First, write down the dates of your last period as well as the date you were supposed to get your period. There’s a chance you miscounted and you’re actually not late, but if you are, it’s important to have accurate information about your missed period.

As for when you should be worried, it’s largely based on your own body. If your period fluctuates, meaning that it typically comes a few days early or late, give yourself a few extra days to see if you get it. If your period typically arrives right on time (to the day), then even a day or two late would be enough to consider the possibility that you might be pregnant.

Make an appointment with a professional

If you go to school near home or you have a gynecologist from home, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with him or her. Your gynecologist or general practitioner is familiar with you and your body and will be better able to tell you what is normal and what isn’t. Tell the nurse or doctor when your last period was and how many days late you are. Also tell him or her whether or not you are on birth control and what kind, and how long ago you had unprotected sex. Your doctor will ask you additional questions to rule out the possibility that you’ve missed your period for other reasons and advise you on whether or not you need a pregnancy test, as well as what your next steps should be.

Your school’s health center is specially trained to deal with issues specific to college students, so there’s no reason to be embarrassed about talking with a nurse or doctor at your college (and they’re bound by confidentiality agreements so your parents won’t find out). Not only will these nurses and doctors be able to answer your questions and provide you with their professional opinion, they can also often administer free pregnancy tests to students.

Regardless of which type of health care professional you seek out, it’s crucial to make an appointment right away, especially if you have had unprotected sex in the last 120 hours, so that a doctor can help you explore your options for emergency contraception. A pregnancy scare can leave you anxious, distraught and vulnerable, so be sure to seek out help as soon as you can.

All about pregnancy tests

There are several ways to determine whether or not you are pregnant. It is important to note that it may take up to three to four weeks from the first day after your last period for your blood or urine to indicate pregnancy. There are two main choices available for pregnancy tests:

1. Urine test

An at-home urine test is the most common for collegiettes and is relatively inexpensive at the drugstore (First Response is $15.99 at CVS). According to Planned Parenthood, it is safe to take a pregnancy test as soon as your period is late. Keep in mind that, according to Mayo Clinic, if you take the test too soon (before one week after your missed period) it could result in a false-negative, or a result that says you aren’t pregnant even if you are, simply because it is too early for the test to detect the pregnancy hormones in your body.

For best results, you need to follow the directions very carefully, so if you’re too nervous or worried you might misread the instructions, it’s a good idea to go to a professional. College and university health centers typically use urine pregnancy tests as well, but the individuals administering them are trained professionals, and therefore, the margin of error is much lower. According to Terry Jenny, administrative director of Parton Health Center at Middlebury College, if you take a test at your college health center, the results will be available immediately and the nurse or doctor will be able to provide you with professional advice about what your next steps should be.  

2. Blood test

A blood test, administered by your gynecologist or primary physician, will determine the exact amounts of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your blood, the hormone produced after implantation, according to WebMD. According to the American Pregnancy Association, a blood test can detect pregnancy earlier than a urine test (about seven to 12 days from conception), but this type of test is more difficult for a college student to obtain. While Jenny points out that a health center “can draw the blood and send it to the local hospital for testing,” it is more expensive as there are lab fees (and also a doctor’s visit fee if you have the test done at the hospital). If you think you’re pregnant, it’s a good idea to take an at-home test or a urine test at your on-campus health center first. If those tests are positive, then it’s a good idea to consider a blood test to be absolutely sure.

Telling the guy

Whether or not you’ve taken a test yet, those first few days after a missed period can cause you to feel a level of anxiety you didn’t know was possible. Especially if it hasn’t been long enough for a pregnancy test to be accurate, it can be incredibly difficult to know whether to tell the guy about your pregnancy fears.

Should you tell him?

Whether or not you tell the guy is largely dependent upon your own individual feelings about the situation. If you can keep it together for a week or two until you can take an accurate test, then it’s probably best to not tell a guy you don’t know all that well that you might be pregnant. Of course, if you’re having a sizable crisis over potentially being pregnant and you feel like you need to tell him, then do so.

“How you decide to tell your partner, family and friends is a personal decision that only you can make,” Jenny says. Deciding if you should tell your family or friends is your decision, and there is no right or wrong way to tell people in your life that you might be pregnant.

How to tell a hook-up

Have the conversation face-to-face and let him know that you are planning on taking a test. Keep it short and sweet, and definitely don’t apologize – he contributed just as much as you! If he tries to bring up the question of what you would do if you do turn out to be pregnant, gently let him know that you will keep him posted but that you will cross that bridge when you come to it. No need to get ahead of yourself when it comes to something that might not even be an issue! Of course, if you’re telling your boyfriend, you can be more open and communicative when it comes to discussing your options, but don’t stress yourself out until you’re sure.

How to tell your boyfriend

If you’re in a committed relationship and you feel comfortable telling your boyfriend, it can be really helpful.

“I thought I was pregnant my sophomore year and my boyfriend and I had only been dating for a few months, so I was scared to tell him,” says Rebecca*, a senior at Middlebury College. “I eventually told him, and even though he was just as freaked out, he said he was glad that I told him so that I didn’t have to deal with it alone.”

If you’re in a loving relationship, your SO should be more than willing to help you through whatever comes your way, pregnancy scares included.  

Your next move

You may or may not have thought about what you would do if you were to get pregnant in college, but as important as it is to think about potential options, it’s equally important to not put unnecessary stress on yourself or your relationship until you know for sure that you’re pregnant. If you take the tests and they come back positive, then it’s time to fully involve your guy as well as your families and health care professionals to decide what the best choice is for you, whether than means having the baby and keeping it, putting it up for adoption or choosing to terminate your pregnancy.

If you turn out not to be pregnant, then count your lucky stars and reevaluate your current modes of contraception to figure out what is and isn’t working. This is a conversation you can have with your gynecologist and also something you can bring up with your SO. Once you’ve had a pregnancy scare, you want to do everything possible to make sure the next time you think you’re pregnant is when you actually want to be!

*Name has been changed.

Regardless of where in the country you attended elementary or high school, you likely spent a good amount of time taking dreaded standardized tests. Now, President Obama is calling for putting a limit on the amount of classroom time spent taking these exams.

The Council of Great City Schools conducted a study to find out just how much of an investment schools must put into standardized testing, and found that students spend 20-25 hours on these tests every school year—That’s about 2.3% of total classroom time, and doesn’t included preparation and practice time. The study found that the average student will have taken 112 standardized tests by the time they finish high school.

The excessive testing comes as a result of two main reasons: the No Child Left Behind law and the Common Core. No Child Left Behind was enacted in 2002 under the Bush administration, in an effort to assess learning progress and to lessen achievement gaps. More recently, the Common Core was established in an effort to create nationwide achievement standards in reading and math, which has ultimately resulted in—you guessed it—more tests for students. Worse yet, the Council of Great City Schools found that students and teachers often must wait two to four months to receive test results, making it difficult for teachers to identify and work on problem areas for students.

To start resolving the problem, the Obama administration has enlisted the Education department to ease up on federal testing mandates. Administration officials are also looking into eliminating tests that are repetitive, unuseful in assessing learning or irrelevant to a school’s current curriculum. For example, the Council’s executive director Michael Casserly noted that many schools require both end-of-year and end-of-course exams in the same subjects.

Obama does believe that standardized testing is necessary to a degree, and that it will not be going away altogether any time soon. Still, "learning is about so much more than just filling in the right bubble," he said in a video shared through Facebook. "So we're going to work with states, school districts, teachers, and parents to make sure that we're not obsessing about testing."

The U.S. has opened a federal civil rights investigation after a police officer violently arrested and threw a female high school student across a classroom at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, S.C.

In the video, which has been described by South Carolina officials as "disturbing," officer Ben Fields can be seen walking up to the student and attempting to pull her out of her desk, before flipping the desk over and dragging the student some distance across the room. The other students, as well as the teacher who initially called Fields to the classroom, all watch in silence. 

The video was taken on Monday and quickly went viral on social media.

According to Lt. Curtis Wilson, a spokesperson for the Richland County Sheriff's Department, Fields was called to the classroom after a report was sent of the student being disruptive in class and refusing to leave, even after being asked by the teacher and the vice principal. Richland County Councilman Damon Jeter, told BuzzFeed News that even though the video doesn't show the exchange between Fields and the student leading up to the incident, the officer's actions were completely unnecessary and unwarrented. 

"Regardless of whatever verbal confrontation took place before the video started recording, I just can't image a man in uniform going to that drastic measure to put someone under custody," he told BuzzFeed. "It just doesn't make sense."

Fields has now been placed on administrative leave.

We all have a love/hate relationship with working out, but bringing our beauty A-game to the gym or fitness studio helps to motivate us. Here are a few hairstyles to keep your locks under control as you sweat and squat your way towards your #fitnessgoals.

Running

High Ponytail with a Chic Headband

Since running means your body is in constant motion, you’ll want your hair to stay in place. A high ponytail will keep your hair out of your face so you can focus on your pace, and adding a cute headband to your look will keep wispy hairs at bay.

Boxing

Classic French Braid

Collegiettes who love boxing know that the sport is all about complete focus. To make sure nothing gets in your way, you’ll want a hairstyle that is cute and super secure. With a French braid, you won’t have to worry about your hair swaying from side to side as you rock your jabs and uppercuts.

Yoga

Loose, Messy Top Knot

While you practice yoga, relaxation should be one of your main objectives. A loose, messy top knot won’t be too tight, so your hair will be out of your face without irritation. You will also be able to lie down without worrying about anything digging into the back of your head, since your bun will be at the top of your head. For additional comfort, secure it with a creaseless ponytail holder rather than a standard elastic.

Barre

Low Ponytail

Most barre workouts require intense coordination and discipline, so a simple low ponytail will allow you to center yourself and won’t cause your scalp any pain. As you work your core, arms and legs, your hair will be stylish and fuss-free.

Pilates

Fishtail Braid

A fishtail braid will make sure your hair stays in line with your movements. You’ll look fabulous and you’ll be able to concentrate on controlling your motions.

Of course you can style your hair in whatever way is most comfortable during your workout, but these suggestions will allow you to never worry about your hair misbehaving at the gym again!

We're always looking for tasty recipes to try out here at HC! But for as many successes as we've had with our experimental flair for cooking, we've had just as many failures. Fortunately, though, you don't have to worry about these fall recipes letting you down. We've made and taste-tested each one, so we can guarantee that they're just as easy and delicious as this article's title implies.

Get ready to have your mind blown with the four fall recipes we've rounded up for you below!

1. Caramel S'mores Pops

How many of you love s'mores but will only eat them campfire-style? While we're not against the idea of microwave s'mores, these caramel s'mores pops are even simpler to make, and they taste like the real deal.

Tip: you probably won't be able to eat them all by yourself, so be prepared to share! We also had plenty of caramel, graham crackers and chocolate left over and could've dipped more than the 30 marshmallows the recipes calls for.  

Recipe from High Heels and Grills

Ingredients:

• 30 Jet-Puffed marshmallows
• 25 Kraft caramel squares
• ¼ cup salted butter
• ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
• 6 full-size Hershey's chocolate candy bars
• 9 graham cracker squares

Instructions:

1. Place a sucker stick in each marshmallow and set aside.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the caramel squares, butter and sweetened condensed milk for 2-3 minutes, stirring after each minute.
3. Roughly chop your chocolate bars and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until completely melted.
4. In a food processor, pulse graham crackers until fine crumbs are formed. Place in a shallow bowl.
5. Dip one side of the marshmallows in the caramel and one side in the chocolate. Then, roll marshmallows in the graham cracker crumbs.
6. Place on wax paper and repeat with all marshmallows. 

2. McIntosh Apple Muffins

The ingredient list for these muffins looks intimidating at first glance. But all you really have to do is mix all the ingredients together and bake. Plus, you'll be noshing on them—for breakfast and at snack time—all week long. They're hearty and dense, so they'll keep you full, too. 

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 cups McIntosh apples, chopped and peeled
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup coconut

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients together until well blended.
2. Fill greased muffin tins about two-thirds full with mixture.
3. Bake at 350° for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.

3. Mini Chicken Pot Pies

Just four ingredients make up these mini chicken pot pies. They're the ideal alternative to a home-cooked meal. Forget about those frozen dinners in your freezer, and whip up these fresh goodies instead. We had leftover filling, so we suggest you buy more than one can of biscuits in case you can make a few extras.  

Recipe from Pillsbury

Ingredients:

• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
• 1 cup diced cooked chicken
• 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 can Pillsbury Grands refrigerated biscuits

Instructions:

1. In medium bowl, combine vegetables, chicken and soup; mix well.
2. Press each biscuit into a greased regular-size muffin tin. Firmly press in bottom and up the side, forming a small rim. Spoon a generous ⅓ cup of mixture into each. Pull edges of dough over filling toward center; pleat and pinch dough gently to hold in place.
3. Bake at 375° for 20 to 22 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pan.

4. Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

It just wouldn't be fall without a little pumpkin spice in our lives. Whoopie pies are one of our favorite year-round indulgences, so when we found this recipe, we had to try it out. Ours were extremely moist but still easy to ice. This recipe makes a big batch; take them to a gathering filled with pumpkin spice lovers, and we guarantee they'll disappear before your eyes.

Recipe from Tablespoon

Ingredients:

• 1 spice cake mix
• ⅓ cup butter, softened
• 1 15 oz. can pumpkin
• 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 container cream cheese frosting

Instructions:

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, add the cake mix, butter, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, eggs and milk. Mix slowly for 30 seconds or until combined; then beat for 1-2 minutes. Batter will be on the wet side.
3. Drop tablespoon-sized dollops onto the cookie sheet. Try to make sure that they are all the same size.
4. Bake for 10-11 minutes. Let them cool completely.
5. Frost a cookie with a dollop of cream cheese frosting and top with another cookie. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to eat.

If we can make these recipes, so can you! 

Which will you be making this fall, collegiettes?

Five University of Mississippi students were arrested after allegedly assaulting another student at the Sigma Pi fraternity house on campus, where they said they were trying to steal a statue. One of the students was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and the other four were pledges.

The five students—James Declan Basile, Tucker Cole Steil, Austin Rice, Christian Guy and Kyle Hughes—told investigators that they went to the Sigma Pi fraternity house early on the morning of Oct. 6 to steal a donkey statue kept by the Sigma Pi chapter. There, Jeremy Boyle, a Sigma Pi member, was assaulted, suffering several serious injuries.

“It was shocking,” Brian Boyle, victim Jeremy Boyle’s father, told The Daily Mississippian. “There is a different culture in the South. People have good behavior. It’s not something you would have expected. Especially at Ole Miss.”

The Pi Kappa Alpha national office announced that its Ole Miss chapter has kicked the five students out of the fraternity.

"The event was not a part of any chapter activities and chapter leadership initiated internal judicial proceedings upon learning of the incident," national Pi Kappa Alpha spokesman Brent Phillips said in a statement.

Ole Miss spokesman Danny Blanton told the Associated Press that the university does not believe the Pi Kappa Alpha chapter broke university rules against hazing.

"It's the individual actions of five students," Blanton said.

Everybody loves a good prank, but violence is not the answer, guys. No donkey statue is worth beating someone up. Seriously.