“I plan to get my first kiss when I’m thirteen.” A few years pass by. “Make that sixteen.”

“Or eighteen. Eighteen seems appropriate.”

“Twenty-one. This will be the year.”

Look at you. You’re a goal setter. You have it all: the opportunity to go to college, great friends, a job or club you’re passionate about...but there’s still something out there that you think you’re missing. Part of you wonders if it’s okay that you’ve never been kissed.

Yes, it’s a cultural norm to have your first kiss in your teenage years. And if you’ve passed your teenage years without that particular “first,” you may even feel out of place. Fretting about this single experience is pretty trivial in the long run, but when it is so widely promoted today, it’s hard to not think about sometimes. We’ve laid out some reasons for why you shouldn’t stress about not having had your first kiss yet.

It’s not as important as it may seem

People generally idealize a sense of completeness when they think about being in a relationship. The media, to a great extent, is responsible for the importance we place on romance. A lot of movies can create pressure on people who have never been kissed or been in a relationship (i.e. Barely Legal, a movie about three girls who decide to lose their virginities on a their eighteenth birthday). It puts relationships and “firsts” on a pedestal they don’t deserve.

Dr. Ramani Durvasula, author of the new book Should I Stay or Should I Go? (which challenges the myth of "love conquers all"), talked to us about the impact social pressures have on romantic relationships. “Sadly, the mythology of romance in our movies, TV, and stories is that perfect love ‘completes’ us,” she says. “We complete ourselves, and a partner is a complement—not a necessity.”

It’s easy to feel out of place when most of your friends talk about what movie they saw with their beau last night, what gifts he got her for her birthday last week or where they’re planning on going for Valentine’s Day. While everyone else is talking about their experiences over lunch, you’re the one who’s quietly pushing around food with your fork. Perhaps you really wish you had experiences to contribute to the discussion. Or you just really, really want to change the subject. There’s more to life, isn’t there?

You’re perfectly fine the way you are

Nonetheless, sometimes you feel peer pressure, and you know it. You’re not alone. You know societal norms have conditioned you to want something just so you don’t feel as out-of-place. You know there is more to life than relationships, yet you wonder how people can get together so easily and so often. You think you’re missing something. “Do I not do my hair well enough every morning?” “Do I not talk enough?” “Do I talk too much?” If you’re like some, you become especially self-conscious around people who are in relationships. While you shouldn’t feel self-conscious, others can make it excruciatingly hard to resist the feeling.

Related: 9 Thoughts We Have While Watching PDA 

Don’t listen to people who think you need to change

They may treat you as if you are helpless or even immature. When you admit that you haven’t been kissed, others may try to sympathize with you--as if it’s something to even show sympathy for! You know it and we know it; not having a first kiss is nothing to pity someone about. Too bad others just don’t understand.

People often have lame advice for you. If you had a dollar for every time you heard “You just need to socialize more” or “Why don’t you make the first move?” you’d be able to buy meals for all of your floormates. For a week. It all ends up being worthless advice. Why change yourself to please your friends? Why even consider changing yourself to uphold a value that society promotes?

There’s no rush

The best advice comes from those who can relate to you. When asked about her feelings about having never been kissed, Mackenzie Skinner, a junior at the University of Oklahoma, wowed us with her firm promotion of independence. She laughed and said, “Go read a book. There are gazillions of [boys] and one of them is bound to like you!”

Just give it time. Divya Velury, a sophomore from Washington University in St. Louis, is one of many who is happy to have never been in a relationship. “I'll have my first kiss when I'm good and ready, and if that's when I'm 20...25...30, so be it.”

People have a habit of planning out when they’re going to have their first kiss, fall in love, get married, etc. None of them have considered that falling in love is not something to plan, nor is it a destiny one will face when they reach a so-called “acceptable” age. “One should never fall in love on someone else's schedule,” Dr. Durvasula says.

But many of them will force themselves into romance for the sake of fitting in.

“If I had a dollar for every person who rushed into a relationship or a marriage because everyone else around them was in one, I would no longer need to do therapy and would retire,” says Dr. Durvasula.

We asked her about how happy an individual becomes when they think they fit into some sort of “relationship club.”

“When you are in a relationship and are in the ‘club,’ there can be a release and relaxation and joy that comes from fitting in and not feeling like you are fighting the current (even if the relationship is less than ideal).” Someone may claim to be happy in their relationship, but this happiness may not be attributed entirely to being in a romantic relationship. They may be happy because they feel they are more socially accepted.

It’s okay to think about it sometimes, but don’t let it consume your life. You’re in college with plenty of other cool things to pursue. Haleigh Skinner, a junior from the University of Oklahoma, has other priorities. “There is more to life than a relationship. Go see the world, explore, and have fun! If it's meant to be, it'll happen in time!”

Besides, a first kiss is probably not as magical as the media makes it seem. Give it time and don’t be hard on yourself because you feel a little different from your peers. Different is pretty fierce when accessorized with confidence.

Have you ever quit something you thought you could never live without? Something that you loved dearly and then had to say goodbye to? Yeah, well neither had I. Until two weeks ago.

I used to eat sugar like it was my job. On a good day I ate three chocolate chip cookies, four popsicles (I like the cherry-lime ones) and half a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Milk and Cookies ice cream. I'm not kidding. That’s when I realized I maybe had a slight bit of an addiction. Some might even say I was a sugarholic. 

I have always loved sugar. Growing up I eternally had frosting on my face, apple pie on my plate, or a candy apple in my hand. But as my body grew into an adult’s, my obsession with sweets remained that of a child’s. Even now I beg my boyfriend to stop at Dairy Queen on the way home from dinner and howl for us to get the amazing $6 pumpkin pie at Costco when I should be in the vegetable section.

Related: 9 Dining Hall Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think

With Halloween, and the promise of more sugar than my body could possibly handle coming up so soon, this sugarholic decided to have a sugar detox. I would ease myself into it; the first week I would cut all desserts out of my diet and the second week I would stop eating any added sugar. Now, I was never under the illusion that this would be easy. Actually, I was absolutely positive that this would be awful.

The first few days were hard. There’s nothing else I can say about it. The Sunday night before I started was my sorority’s bid night: Delta Phi Epsilon’s Candy Bar. I’m sure you can imagine the withdrawal I was going through on Monday afternoon. That night when I got stressed out about the 200 pages of The Corrections I had to read for class the next day, I couldn’t reach for my support network of Dove chocolates and Trolli gummy worms. And trust me, you need chocolate to get through The Corrections. Instead, I headed to the convenience store under my apartment building and bought popcorn and apple juice. Since I couldn’t have dessert, I needed something sweet to get me through the night. 

On Tuesday, I resorted to comfort food to keep myself from going crazy. I ate a pesto grilled cheese with tomato soup for lunch, a giant Honeycrisp apple for a snack (might not be comfort food, but it was delicious), and that night when I went out to dinner with my parents I ordered a pumpkin risotto and sadly told the waitress that we would not be having dessert. I thought I was doing okay. By the end of the meal, I was feeling strong (and very full), but that was until my dad said he wanted to stop inside Cherry Republic, a Michigan staple with the motto, "Life, Liberty, Beaches, & Pie." Not exactly the place for a girl going through sugar withdrawal.

Stepping inside, the smell of chocolate and cherry filled my nose, teasing me with what I couldn’t have. My dad crept to the back of the store, trying the dark, milk and white chocolate covered dried cherries. I was walking in circles, trying to stay close to the chips and salsa aisle, when my tongue started tingling. My craving for sweets had gotten so intense it was literally making my tongue vibrate. Is this what drug withdrawals are like? It took all of my willpower (and my mother steering me away from the candy counter) to resist shoving my hand into the bowl of sugar coated cherry gummies.

From that point it got easier, I had apple juice for dessert every night (I especially like the Martinelli’s kind shaped like an apple, because as we learned before, I am basically a child) and ate an abundance of fruit, which helped keep my sugar cravings at bay. As the days went on and I ate out with my friends, I realized they didn’t like or eat dessert nearly as much as I had thought. I realized no one really wanted a big dessert after a giant meal of sushi or steak. And better yet, I realized I didn’t need it either. As the days ticked down to seven, my obsession with sugar dissipated until it was almost nonexistent.

Related: The 7 Best Healthy Pumpkin Recipes for Fall

Sunday night, I decided to give myself a treat before starting my week of no added sugar. My boyfriend’s sister had brought him a box of Baked by Melissa cupcakes when she came to visit that weekend and I had always wanted to try them. I was so excited, thinking about how incredible this cupcake would taste after seven days of no sweets (for probably the first time in my life). I expected fireworks in my mouth, but as I bit into the mini chocolate chip cupcake, nothing happened. Sure, it was a good cupcake. Not the best I’ve ever had, but definitely better than the kind you get from the grocery store with the grainy pink frosting on top. I had a few more bites, half-heartedly savoring my last few minutes of artificial sugar. I just didn’t need sweets the way I had before.

The next morning I woke up, nervous and excited to start my official sugar “cleanse”. But because I had been so busy the week before (and obsessive about getting through my week of no sweets), I had barely researched anything to do with living a healthy, no added sugar lifestyle. That Monday I ate a banana and five salads (no dressing): half of one at 11a.m., a second at 2p.m., one at 4p.m., another at 8p.m., and the rest of my first one at midnight. I was completely clueless (and completely full of lettuce and chicken breast).

Related: 5 Halloween Candies Everyone Pretends to Hate But Secretly Loves

The next day my boyfriend hopped on the bandwagon, being an amazing human, and cooked my dysfunctional and barely-able-to-boil-water self a breakfast of eggs and bacon. The rest of the week, I basically lived on Chipotle. Almost nothing on Chipotle’s menu has added sugar, plus it’s one of my absolute favorite meals so it was a win-win. During meals where Chipotle is deemed unacceptable, like breakfast (although I wish it wasn’t), I ate bananas, and for the times when I needed a little more variety in my life, I experimented with sauce-free stir-fry, fish and lots of fruit and vegetables. Also, lucky for me that my favorite fall drink was free of all added sugar: my hometown cider mill makes the absolute best cider with nothing but Michigan apples so don’t feel too bad for me, I still had something sweet in my life.

Now I have to admit, while I did make it a week on this added sugar cleanse, you would have to call it a business week. By the time Saturday rolled around, the day of the University of Michigan vs. Michigan State University football game, avoiding bread was a lost cause (and yes, most bread has at least a gram or so of added sugar).

So while I lost three pounds and had way less meltdowns by cutting added sugar out of my diet, it’s not something I could realistically do on a regular basis. I love pasta far too much (yes, most pastas have added sugar too) and the occasional piece of chocolate cake, to cut sweets and added sugar out of my life for good. But this experiment helped me learn that while everything in life is good in moderation, sometimes you need to quit cold turkey to realize how much you don’t need something. Once I stopped inhaling five sweets a day, I noticed a huge positive change in my body. So while you won’t be seeing me avoiding the dessert menu 24/7, I will definitely be toning it down. And for when sugar gets the best of me, I’m excited to try out sugar detox days, not weeks, in the future.

Season 7 of Modern Family premiered this September, and after many years of watching this hilarious family and their never-ending antics, it's hard not to find yourself comparing your behavior to that of the Dunphy family—a caring but dysfunctional crew that may be all too familiar to your own family. Are you the smart, black sheep of your family like Alex? Let's find out.

1. You’re always true to yourself…

2. …no matter the consequences.

3. Because who need friends when you know what really matters?

4. You're super sassy… 

5. …and you love a good laugh—at someone else's expense.

6. You can be very serious…

7. …but you have your own unique brand of fun.

8. You’re always questioning things.

9. You have a “romantic” side…

10. …and you're not afraid to let your partner know exactly what you want…

11. …though things don’t always work out for you in the love department.

12. You have your priorities straight…

13. …but you’re not quite grown-up yet.

14. You’re not afraid to be honest.

15. Sometimes you feel like you just don't fit in…

16. …or that nobody understands you.

17. But in the end, you know you always have something worth celebrating—your family.

When you’re finally able to see the light at the end of the long, dark, seemingly endless tunnel that is high school, it can be tough to stay focused on the present and finish your high school career on a strong note. As much as we’d all love to give in to senioritis and just get our last year of high school over with, it’s important to remember that the choices we make as high school seniors will have a huge impact on our freshman year of college and beyond.

Here’s how to make the most of your last year of high school—your college freshman-self will thank you!

1. Don’t slack off

This should totally go without saying, but when you’ve already got your acceptance letter to your dream school in hand and graduation day is oh-so-close, the temptation to put off papers, projects and studying becomes all too real. “You may think that colleges don't look at your grades, but senior year is actually the most important academically!” says Rachel Petty, a junior at James Madison University.

We’ve all heard the horror stories of having our acceptances rescinded because of a drop in grades during senior year—and yeah, if you’re normally an A student who suddenly drops to a D average after acceptance letters roll out, admissions officers are going to notice and think that this speaks to your work ethic. On the flip side, if your average drops from an A to a B+, that’s totally not something to panic about.

It might seem impossible to stay motivated once you know where you're headed to school next year, but high school isn’t over just yet. You’ve put in too much sweat, tears, and hard work over the last three and a half years to quit now! Remember why your college chose to accept you and why you worked so hard for this long. You can stay on track by writing all of your assignments, practices, and other obligations in a planner. If you’re not usually one to write stuff down, now is the perfect time to start. Perfecting your time management and organizational skills now will pay off during your first semester of college.

Senior year is also important academically because the classes you take and how you choose to approach them can have a huge impact on how you do in your classes during freshman year of college. Many high school teachers use AP-level classes and senior electives as a chance to prepare you for what to expect in your courses next year, which are likely to involve a lot more reading, writing and studying than you’re used to. You’ll save yourself a lot of stress and sleepless nights (and you’ll probably be better prepared than many of your peers) if you take advantage of the academic opportunities presented to you now.

2. Don’t get caught up in silly drama

In high school, it’s easy to give in to the “everyone-sucks-I-hate-it-here-when-can-I-leave” mentality. With prom, graduation, parties and other events coming up, you and your classmates will be spending a lot of time together—make the most of it! You might be sick of high school drama and all its immaturity, but once of the summer passes and you all go your separate ways, you will miss your friends.

Don’t miss out on after prom or other events in order to prove a point or because you were annoyed with someone in your friend group. The end of senior year is a time for you to feel on top of the world and celebrate all that you’ve accomplished before moving onto the next chapter, and you’ll regret it if you let petty drama get in the way of things.

Don’t be afraid to show your true colors during your last year! “I learned to no longer care what my classmates thought of me,” says Alexandra Blessing, a senior at Millersville University. “I was going to be out of high school soon anyway and started to become the person who I love and fully appreciate today, without constantly thinking about what others thought of me!” So, wear that dress to prom, speak up during class and go to that party without worrying what that judgmental girl from chem lab thinks!

Related: The 6 Do's & Don'ts of Senior Year of High School

3. Do all the things you haven’t done

We’re often told that college is the time in which we really get to explore our interests and try new things. But when you’re still in high school, don’t forget about the opportunities that are right in front of you! “I wish I took more classes I loved because they were free and study halls were so unnecessary,” says Nabila Ismail, a freshman at the University of Buffalo.

Many high schools offer electives in areas like journalism, marketing and accounting, which are a great chance to get a feel for what you might be interested in studying in college and get a head start on understanding what will be expected of you in college courses. If your school doesn’t offer those sorts of classes, consider stepping out of your comfort zone by taking an art or drama class as an elective—a fun class can be a great way to de-stress during the day and maybe find a talent you didn’t know you had! You also might not have time for these sorts of classes next year when your schedule is filled up with core requirements.

Don’t give up on clubs or other opportunities outside of academics. “I wish I took part in high school ambassador programs or things that would lead me to a better position in college,” says Nabila. Don’t underestimate the importance of extracurriculars—they’re great resume builders and give you experience if you might be interested in running for an executive board position in a club on your college’s campus.

“I would definitely say don't give up sports,” adds Katie Jordan, a senior at Bentley University. The same goes for school plays, orchestra and other extracurriculars.  “I know they can be time consuming and huge commitment, but my best memories from senior year were for sure with my teammates!”

“I also wish I traveled or studied abroad while in high school or considered a gap year!” adds Nabila. Many high schools sponsor short summer trips abroad to locations like Europe. If studying abroad is something you’re thinking about doing in college, find out if your school offers a summer program! If not, you can look into outside programs, such as AFS-USA.

4. Keep in touch

Your teachers and guidance counselors played a huge role in getting you into college, but don’t forget that they can also help you in the future. “Always remember to write thank you letters to teachers who gave letters of recommendation and keep in good relations with others,” says Michelle Lu, a junior at Pepperdine University. Don’t underestimate the impact that taking a few minutes to write (not e-mail!) a personalized thank you note to someone who helped you out along the way can have. You also never know when in your college career you might need another letter of recommendation or have your transcripts sent to you.

Many high schools have alumni relations networks that you can join online (such as on LinkedIn). It’s important to maintain a good relationship with your school’s guidance department and anyone involved in alumni relations, because you never know when they might be able to connect you with someone from your high school who currently works in your desired career field. Whether they’re from high school or college, you should always be taking advantage of opportunities to network!

5. Be present

As much as you might be ready for high school to be over, you’re only a senior once. Take the classes you love, be active in clubs and take lots of photos. “Relax and have fun! High school is nothing compared college,” says Lindy Olive, a senior at Auburn University. Before you get bogged down by college-level homework assignments, internships and the prospect of having to enter the real world, take advantage of your last opportunities to really enjoy being surrounded by old friends and being in the familiar surroundings of home.

While it’s easy to daydream about the wonderful friends you’ll make, the incredible parties you’ll go to, the amazing internship you’re sure to land and the all-around fantastic time you’ll have at college, don’t cheat yourself out of the wonderful memories that are just waiting to be had right in front of you. Making the most of your senior year will only further ensure that you’ll have a fantastic first-year college experience!

Decorating your dorm or apartment can be such an expensive task. As much as we love decorating our living spaces with adorable pillows, most of us can't afford to snag all of the cute ones we find in stores thanks to their price tags. But don't worry! We're going to show you how to make your own decorative pillows on a budget instead. 

Whether it's your first semester in college or the beginning of your senior year, these DIY decorative pillows are sure to make a statement and save you a ton of cash! Oh, and did we mention that this project requires no sewing whatsoever? You're welcome. 

What You’ll Need

• Two different fabrics of your choice (one yard of each) 
• Scissors
• An iron
• A 16 once bag of premium polyester fiber fill
• Heat and Bond Iron-On Adhesive (5/8 inches)

Prepping Your Pillow 

• Start by placing one of the two fabrics on a solid and stable surface.
• With the fabric folded "hamburger style," cut in half. You should be left with four 12-inch pieces.
• Unfold each piece, then cut in half again.

Did you notice that we didn't use a tape measure or ruler? Don't worry, estimating works just fine for this no-sew DIY project.

These four pieces will be the front and back of the pillow. We'll be making two of them. 

• Place solid strips of the Heat and Bond tape under folded or ironed creases on all four sides for each of the four pieces.
• Using a hot iron, iron all four sides down until they are secure.

Finishing Up 

• Again, place solid strips of Heat and Bond tape on top of three of the previously glued sides. (You'll want to leave one side open so you can fill the pillow with the polyester fiber). 
• Once you’ve done that, carefully line up your two pieces of fabric atop of one another, making one solid piece. Iron the two together.

By this point, you should have two empty pillow cases! 

• Fill each one with premium polyester fiber fill. Use half of the bag (so, eight ounces) for each pillow. 

• Afer you've filled the pillows, seal the open end with the remaining Heat and Bond tape.

There you have it! With just a few simple steps and some inexpensive materials, you can make your own adorable no-sew decorative pillow to brighten up your dorm room or apartment.

Happy crafting, collegiettes! 

Starting November 2, you'll be able to buy a DIY kit that includes a pair of Tevas and Swarovski crystals (for bedazzling purposes, of course). The two companies paired up after realizing Teva's DIY events (#TevaDIY) were quite successful.

Lucas Martinez, Teva's marketing mangager, said that the company paired up with Swarovski because people were drawn to the crystals and metallic materials provided at the DIY events. "When Swarovski approached us about working together, we felt they would be a great partner in our DIY program,"he told Footwear News.

The companies are working with Erica Chan Coffman from HonestlyWTF.com, a DIY blog. Footwear News reports that you'll be able to purchase the kits in either the Flatform or Original Teva styles.

The kits will be available in select Nordstrom stores or online at Teva and Nordstrom's websites—so if you've ever felt like glamming up your Tevas, now's your opportunity.

Dressing up for Halloween is undoubtedly fun, but doing so can take a lot of effort. If you’re feeling lazy this year, don’t let that stop you from going out and having a great night! There are plenty of costumes that require nothing more than things you can find around your dorm, sorority house or apartment. Get ready to dig through your closets because we’ve got some of the best (and easiest!) costumes right here.

1. Miley Cyrus

While many people have dressed up as the twerk-crazy Miley Cyrus when she performed at the 2013 VMAs, it’s super easy to wear one of her everyday outfits as a costume.

No matter what she’s wearing, it’s always full of color. Simply open up your closet, look for your brightest top and pair it with a non-matching skirt. Or head over to Goodwill and start hunting for '80s-inspired jackets, dresses, etc. Add in a pair of sneakers and crazy accessories, and you’re done! Don’t forget to stick your tongue out all night, too.

2. Tourist

With Hawaiian-themed parties always happening, you or one of your friends is bound to have a button up flower shirt. If not, these are easily found at Goodwill or other thrift shops!

You’ll also need any combination of the following: a fanny pack, sunglasses, a visor, a map tucked into your waste and an old camera around your neck. By no means do you need all of these accessories, but if you can round up most of them by digging around your house, go for it!

3. Barden Bella

Did somebody say Pitch Perfect 2? This costume is super easy to piece together, and everyone will know what you’re referencing!

For this, grab a navy fitted jacket or blazer, and a white collared shirt to wear underneath. You’ll also need a navy skirt. The outfit is, of course, incomplete without the signature scarf tied around your neck, so grab a yellow or blue one. Wear any pair of short heels and your hair in a bun, and you’re officially a Bella.

4. Runaway bride

This costume is almost too easy to put together, and you’ll be comfortable all night.

Find your favorite little white dress for the focus piece. You probably won't have a veil, but if you really want one, they’re cheap and easy to make. Throw on your sneakers, and for those ladies looking to go the extra distance, you can make a marathon bib with paper and markers. That’s pretty much it for this costume!

5. Mary Poppins

If you thought the runaway bride costume sounded easy, you’re going to love this one. Everything you need to be Mary Poppins can definitely be found somewhere among your belongings.

For starters, you’ll need to pull your hair up—whether or not you want to add a black hat is up to you. Wear a crisp, white button up, a black skirt and black tights. To make your costume a little more unique, you could add the red bow tie. You’re going to need Ms. Poppins's black umbrella and carry-all tote, regardless, though!

6. Lorde

Due to her distinct, goth look, Lorde is the perfect simple Halloween costume. This one is especially fun because you can get creative with it!

If there’s one part of Lorde's look you'll never see her without, it’s her dark lipstick. A maroon or wine colored shade is spot-on. She almost always wears black, so choose from an LBD or another dark outfit. Braid your hair back as she typically does, throw on some chunky black boots and voilà!

7. Risky Business

Who would’ve thought that Tom Cruise dancing in his underwear would become such a long-lasting collegiette costume tradition?

Throw on a white button up shirt that’s long enough to wear without pants. Be sure to have on spandex or athletic shorts underneath, though. Forget shoes—all you need are some mid-calf socks. Add in a pair of black sunglasses and get ready to slide into whatever party you’re going to.

8. “A” from Pretty Little Liars

While you might be mistaken for a burglar, there’s no better way to pay tribute to one of the greatest shows ever.

Black pants, a black hoodie, black gloves—that’s pretty much it. However, since we now know that (spoiler alert) CeCe is A, you can add little twists to make this costume more fun. For example, if you don’t already have blonde hair, use a wig! Curl your hair and add some red lipstick, too. To make this a little more distinctive, you could use red masking tape and put an “A” on your back!

9. Flower child

We know you have a flower headband somewhere, so break it out and get ready to embrace your inner hippie!

Though you can wear pretty much anything from places like Urban Outfitters, try to find something in your closet that’s full of fringe or decked out in flowers. A dress is ideal, but you could also wear printed flared pants or jeans. Your look won’t be complete without you throwing out a peace sign, so be sure to do so!

10. Straight Outta T-shirts

Straight Outta Compton was one of the biggest movies of 2015. And it turns out there's plenty of ways to spoof its title.

Sure, you could buy pre-made shirts, but where's the fun in that? Making your own—with funny phrases like Straight Outta the Library, Straight Outta Class or Straight Outta [insert name of popular building on your campus here]—is easy to do with a pack of plain tees and fabric pens or Sharpies. Plus, you'll earn respect if you keep the references specific to inside jokes at your school.

Just when you thought you were going to stay in and watch scary movies while your friends had fun without you, you’ve been saved. These costumes require hardly any effort but are still super cute. Happy hunting!

Any beauty lover knows the power of a good red lip to immediately add confidence or complete an outfit. Whether you choose to pair it with a simple coat of mascara or a full-on cat eye, a red lip can take your look from blah to bam in seconds.

Since we're always on the hunt for the elusive perfect red, we asked 10 collegiettes from all over the country (and one from the UK!) to do the impossible and pick her absolute favorite red lipstick and tell us why. Red-dy, set, go!

Becca, a junior at Brown University: Tom Ford Lip Color in Wild Ginger ($50 at Nordstrom)

"It’s such a beautiful color, a little bit more orange than a classic, old Hollywood red, but I like that it’s a nouveau-classic shade. I normally wear dark, neutral coloured clothing, so lipstick is an easy way to make my outfit a bit fresher and more interesting."

Kristina, a junior at the University of Rhode Island: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Red Revival ($8.29 at CVS)

"I love a good red lip! Whenever I decide to go for a red lip I never wear a cat-eye because I think it's too much. My eyes are big as it is and I want my lips to be the main focus!"

Marin, a senior at Northeastern University: Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Roomiest Rose ($17 at Sephora)

"It's not super red but I like it because it goes on really well and gives a classic feel to my look."

Olivia, a senior at the University of Southern California​: bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Stand Out ($18 at Bare Escentuals)

"I love the rich, wine color—it makes me feel sexy, but I can still wear it to work. It's a bold enough color that you don't need too much eye makeup either, but I like it with a bold brow."

Vivian, a senior at Middlebury College: Noyah Lipstick in Deeply in Mauve ($18 at Noyah)

"I think it's a good color for a dreary day with a cozy sweater and glasses!"

Tory, a senior at the University of Vermont: Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color in Are You Red-dy ($7.49 at Ulta)

"I love to spice up a simple outfit by putting on this bright red; it draws attention to my face! It also really completes an outfit for going out on the town. It says 'I'm conquering the night!'"

Parisa, a junior at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland: Boots Seventeen Lasting Fix Lipstick in Showcase ($7 at Boots)

"I love it because it's so long-lasting and such a gorgeous, bright color. It really makes your eyes pop paired with a subtle smokey grey shadow for a night out but it's even amazing to dress up a casual outfit with winged eyeliner in the daytime."

Alexa, a senior at Saint Anselm College: ULTA Lipstick in Totally Berried ($8 at ULTA)

"I love the dark shades, usually with just a cat eye and a tight bun! When my friends and I were abroad it made us feel European-chic!"

Nicholette, a junior at Texas Christian University: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic ($6.84 at Walmart)

"I usually pair red lipstick with simple makeup, but lots of mascara! I use bright colored lipsticks as an accessory to help enhance an outfit and add a pop of color. I use Revlon’s lipsticks and lip stains because they’re inexpensive so I can buy a variety of fun colors without breaking the bank."

Marissa, a junior at Syracuse University: Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Sanria ($4.39 at Walmart)

"It's a deeper shade but I like how it pops against my olive skin tone. I love working with brown/neutral shadows on my brown eyes with this lip color. Also, it looks super classy with a nice cat eye for nighttime!"

With all the gorgeous red shades to choose from, it's no wonder that each of these lovely ladies chose a different color! Whether you prefer an orangey red, a deep wine stain or a classic old Hollywood red, once you find your perfect red lipstick you can conquer the world. So what are you waiting for, collegiettes? Find your signature red lipstick and start making a statement no matter the occasion!

This month, we surveyed over 1,400 college women from all across the country to find out what matters to them in the 2016 presidential election. These women were about evenly split between public and private schools. A quarter of our respondents were people of color, and 22 percent were first generation college students. We wanted to know which candidates were capturing the attention of our readers, which issues would affect their vote, and where they fell on the political spectrum.

Over half of the respondents identified with the Democratic party, while a fifth identified with the Republican party. Eighteen percent identified with no political party. When asked about the makeup of their ideal candidate, 32 percent said they would want a socially liberal, financially conservative candidate—Only a few percentage points lower than the 35 percent who wanted a socially liberal, financially liberal candidate.

Among the current presidential candidates, Bernie Sanders was the clear winner among college women. More than 44 percent of our survey-takers said they would be most likely to vote for him as of right now, and 62 percent had a positive impression of him.

Hillary Clinton fell far behind Sanders in second place, with only 19 percent saying they would vote for her as of right now. 

While support for the Republicans was split among many candidates, Carly Fiorina was the winner with nearly 7 percent of respondents choosing her as their vote. And Donald Trump had the honor of being the most hated candidate—Over 87 percent of college women had a negative impression of him.

College women chose reproductive rights, education and the economy as the issues that are most important to them in the coming election. With the intense debate over Planned Parenthood’s funding, candidates should definitely keep these results in mind. Climate change and freedom of religion were among the issues respondents said would not affect their vote.

See the rest of the results below!

No matter what kind ofperson you became after college, chances are you’ve caught yourself thinking back on those college days. Never fear, graduette; here are nine tips for dealing with all thosechanges and realizing the positives of your new life!

1. Get involved with your local alumni

If you can’t be a student anymore, the next best thing might be the alumni association! While the extent of your alumni association may depend on the size of your alma mater and your location, you can find events and groups across the country—especially in major cities. Alumni associations provide opportunities to stay involved with your school, meet and reconnect with people who’ve shared a similar experience and background, and may even provide opportunities to give back to the community. Many schools hold alumni weekends on campus; find out when yours is and head back to your old stomping grounds to mingle with fellow grads!

2. Plan a trip to meet college friends

If it’s the people you’re missing, try organizing a weekend trip to meet up with your college besties and reminisce over your favorite antics. Though your friends may have scattered after graduation, take the initiative and choose a neutral location for a weekend of fun. Split the cost of a vacation rental using sites like airbnb or VRBO and enjoy reliving your favorite memories. When you get back, keep remembering those positive memories and look forward to when you can meet up again!

3. Go to a sports game

If your school had a strong sports presence, consider getting tickets to watch a game. If you live close to your alma mater, grab your old roommate and head back to cheer on the team! If not, going to a professional game or even a game at a different college offers the same adrenaline. Watching athletic events fills you with a feeling of camaraderie with the strangers around you as you cheer on the team.

4. Join a local club or organization

Maybe you devoted hours to clubs that connected you to your favorite hobbies, passions, and people who shared those same interests. Nikki Snyder, a 2014 graduate of Boston University remembers, “Some things about college were so great, like the plethora of activities and clubs begging for your involvement, whereas now you have to seek them out.”

Luckily for us, the Internet has made finding people whose interests align with yours incredibly accessible. If you’re in a new city after graduating or if you’re looking to expand your network and meet new people, MeetUp.com can help you find groups near you that fit your interests. “One of the things I miss most about college is my study abroad semester. But if I learned anything from those six months, it was the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone. After graduating, I realized I had so much more free time that I wasn’t taking advantage of. So I took a leap and joined a climbing gym. A little investment for a lot of fulfillment,” says Nikki. There are running clubs, women’s clubs, reading clubs… the list goes on. As Nikki points out, it may take a little more effort than it did in college, but you can still find people coming together to enjoy your favorite activities out in the real world!

5. Challenge yourself to keep learning

While many of us miss the social aspect of college, some of us also miss challenging our minds. From the time we were six years old until we graduated in our twenties, we were constantly in school learning and expanding our knowledge base. Set yourself goals to read a set number of books each month month, stay up to date on the news and current events, or download something like Duolingo to maintain your minor in French. By continuing to learn, you’ll fill your time positively impacting your own life and have less time to miss college.

If you’re really committed to learning new things, consider taking a class. Look into your local community college to see what sort of classes are offered to non-students; many universities will also have continuing education programs geared specifically towards those who are no longer in school. Learn how to cook, take swing dancing lessons, beef up your Instagram posts with a photography class; there are so many new things you can pick up on improve on! Anna Kelsey, a 2014 Boston University graduate, suggests using the free online program, Codecademy, to teach yourself how to code. “Learning how to program is practical and can benefit many different careers,” she says. Again, you’ll have less time to dwell in your feelings of nostalgia and taking classes will enhance your already well-earned degree!

6. Volunteer

One of the best ways to get yourself out of any funk, college nostalgia or otherwise, is giving back to your community through volunteering. When you volunteer, you’re positively impacting other lives which can leave you feeling uplifted. VolunteerMatch.org can help you find opportunities that match your interests in your area.

Rachel Kossman, a 2011 graduate of Northeastern University, gives back by helping underprivileged students realize their dreams of attending four year universities through Minds Matter. “Our kids are inspiring, and being a part of their journey (my mentee was just accepted into 4 summer programs across the country, and will be attending a 4 week summer program at George Washington!) is so inspiring!” she says of working with the program.

Volunteering also provides opportunities to meet people with similar values and goals in your community. Rachel says, “The community of other young adults who are mentors for the program is amazing—we're all smart, motivated and dedicated young professionals who want to give up our Saturday afternoons to work with young kids who have less than us. The program plans socials and happy hours for us, and it's a great built in way to meet people my age who are good citizens and great potential friends.” While volunteering is a great way to give back, the opportunity to meet like-minded people is an added benefit!

7. Talk about your college years

Like many things, one way to move on from all those feels is to talk about it. Grab a friend and head to coffee where you can reminisce over old shenanigans and memories. However, make sure to end on a positive note rather than using your friends to wallow more! Talk about future plans, what you like about being out of college, and focus on the positives of being a college grad—and a real adult.

8. Make a photo album

While you’re sure to have countless Facebook albums from your years as a collegiette, you may not have physical copies of those same pictures. Methodically going through your archive of photos to choose your favorites to print and organize into a physical album can allow you to reflect on your time in college. If you’re up for the challenge, go the extra mile to make a scrapbook and include concert tickets, pages from your notes, and other mementos you may still have around. A physical album or scrapbook provides a creative outlet for your nostalgia. Plus, when it’s finished and you’re missing your friends and alma mater, you can always pull out the album and take a trip down memory lane!

9. Take a break from social media

Maybe you moved away from most of your friends. Maybe you’re not where you’d like to be in your post-college years. Or maybe you have younger friends who are still enjoying their college careers. If you’re struggling with any of these scenarios, consider taking a break from social media. Seeing friends’ pictures and status updates when you’re feeling down about being out of college can compound the problem. Allowing yourself to step away from Facebook and Instagram for a bit may help you stop comparing your own post-college life to that of others who may be in very different places. It’s always good to remember, too, that you’re seeing their highlight reel and they may be struggling with missing college just as much as you are!

Setting aside social media also frees up time to get out and enjoy your twenties! While occasionally reminiscing or keeping up with your friends on social media is totally okay, living in the present is a much better way to spend your time and energy!

While we all have moments when we wish we were back in that dorm we decorated so carefully with our favorite posters or laughing over a bottle of wine with our best friends (when we really should’ve been studying for finals), we should cherish those memories without dwelling over the fact that they’re in the past. Life doesn’t end when you graduate; it just takes a new shape and can be just as good!

Ever since the presidential campaign insanity began, billionaire business mogul and toupe model Donald Trump has been at the forefront of the conversation and the polls. His debate zingers have become a signature part of the campaign media firestorm:

as have his infamous Tweet attacks:

For the past several months, Trump has remained staunchly in the lead among Republicans, but a new poll by the New York Times and CBS News shows that the tide may be turning.

Their latest numbers show that neurosurgeon Ben Carson has finally pulled ahead in the Republican field, although the margin is slim. According to the New York Times, Carson and Trump pull support from starkly contrasting populations (conservatives and evangelicals for Carson, non-evangelical Republicans with no college education for Trump). The Times was also quick to point out that while Carson's lead is holding steady for now, Trump's supporters are more longlasting and firmly grounded in their allegiances. 

Carson and Trump have dominated the polls, a surprising turn considering neither has any background whatsoever in politics or government. The disgust Republicans hold for current elected officials has a lot to do with this phenomenon, and will give both Carson and Trump an advantage going into the primary.

In the meantime, one thing we can be sure of is that the Carson and Trump debate remarks tonight will surely provide excellent fodder for late night show hosts.

Be sure to tune in to the debate tonight at 8 p.m. EST on CNBC! 

Our generation gets a bad rap. We’ve been labeled “Generation Me” – full of narcissism (could it be from all those selfies we take?!). Others call us “Trophy Kids” — attributed to those ‘participation trophies’ we got when we were younger — and say it makes us feel entitled. And despite the good we’ve done, it gets totally overlooked in favor of thinking we are no more than people with their heads down, staring at their phones.

We know we are more than this. So 29 college women explained exactly what those who clump all millennials together and negatively label us are getting wrong.

"Start typing "Millennials are..." into the Google search bar and the AutoFill options that appear are "lazy, the worst, stupid." Add the word "just" and Google suggests: "as racist as their parents." I'd like to request a fact-check, because I'm living on a campus run almost entirely by brilliant, driven millennials. If we are just as racist as our parents, then perhaps Baby Boomers and Generation X might consider a good look in the mirror before pointing fingers. I see in millennials a generation of open-minded and passionate individuals. If we are "the worst" in any way, we are the worst at accepting ignorance for the sake of tradition. We are the worst at taking "no" for an answer, at giving up on our goals."

-Carly, University of Massachusetts at Amherst Class of 2019

"The biggest misconception about millennials is that we are lazy and want everything handed to us on a silver platter. This isn’t true of everyone. There are a lot of times when I get flack because adults assume that I don’t want to work hard and that I don’t know very much because I don’t apply myself when that is not the case at all. Millennials can be such a huge asset to this society because we are tech savvy and so motivated but we can only apply that if we are given the chance."

-Alyssa, St. Ambrose University Class of 2017

"I think one of the biggest misconceptions people have about millennials is that we are all about ourselves. As a millennial, I think it's important to give back to my community in any way that I can."

-Julianne, George Mason University Class of 2017

"They think we are too sexual, they think our generation is obsessed with sex and having sex! In fact we're going to be healthier and more in the know when it comes to sex since we are more open about such topics. We're going to have lower incidences of STIs since we know how to avoid them; we are going to have lower unwanted pregnancy since contraception is easier and cheaper to access."

-Saskia, University of Virginia Class of 2019

Related: Surprising New Find About Millennials & Sexuality

"One of the biggest misconceptions is the millennials' obsession with technology and lack of respect for privacy. I actually just had an assignment regarding this topic for a class on social media. Yes, we take plenty of photos of our food and post them all over social media, but I found that, when it comes to the content of our personal profiles, we are more selective. I think that we are aware of how the Internet works — once something is out there, it can't be taken back — and we have learned to protect and maintain our online identities, especially for the sake of potential employers."

-Emily, Fordham University Class of 2017

"People think that rebellion is our daily motto but they are wrong. We want to be successful, we want our work as a person, student and in the future as professional to matter, to have an impact on society. Just because we think differently than previous generations does not mean we are rebellious, we simply enjoy the differences and that is what makes us an exceptional generation."

-Kimberly, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus Class of 2017

"I think that older adults perceive millennials as selfish and self-centered because of an increasingly social media-crazy society, and millennials are often at the helm of it. We're the ones who use new apps first, we engage with more apps on average than older adults, etc. But I believe that older adults aren't seeing that millennials actually want to use these platforms for good, and not just post photos of ourselves. We use them to share ideas, meet and connect with like-minded people, spread awareness of causes we care about (Ice Bucket Challenge, anyone?), and often, to build our portfolio and to find employment. I don't think most millennials are lazy at all — we were handed a world with increasing problems, including fast-rising costs for education and declining employment rates, and many of us are just trying to find work that pays the bills, fulfills us in some way, and for many of us, I think, has a positive role in this world."

-Alaina, Emerson College Class of 2017

"A giant misconception about millennials is that since we were born into modern technology that continues to be reinvented with our generation in mind, that we are unable to function without technology. I can't even tell you how many times I've been made fun of by an older relative because I'd "die without my phone" or asked if I was texting the person sitting beside me who also happened to be on their phone."

-Bryanna, University of Windsor Class of 2018

"I believe people, at times, misattribute our form of self-expression to personalities he or she does not possess. I am primarily referring to the strict professional settings imposed on people with tattoos and piercings. I, for example, get frustrated when I have to take off my nose piercing before an interview. It implies that interviewers will attribute my nose ring to some sort of negative personality trait. Our definition of professionalism should be based mostly on attitude and skills, and less on the ways we physically decorate ourselves. Self-expression should be promoted and not stereotyped."

-Tasfia, Northwestern University Class of 2018

"They say we have a sense of entitlement, and I think that's the furthest thing from the truth. There are people from every generation who feel entitled, so of course there are going to be millennials with that mindset. But that's not all of us — not even close. We work hard, sometimes for almost nothing in return. We're going to school for jobs that might not even be available once we graduate."

-Caitlyn, Auburn University Class of 2017

"People assume that we are tech savvy. For the most part I’m sure many are. But not me. Nope."

-Ruby, Texas A&M University Class of 2017

"Believing that millennials are too "politically correct" is a common misconception as well as just blatantly ignorant. The reason our generation tries so hard at being politically correct is because we were raised in a time of constant changes that are still happening in the socio-political world. We are reversing the "apathetic youth" stereotype and embracing diversity. The fact that we are trying to be politically correct shows that we are being educated on respecting different cultures and are just trying not to be as recklessly offensive as previous generations have been. Mistakes will be made but at least millennials are embracing equality and trying to be more open-minded."

-Andrea, University of Florida Class of 2018

"The biggest misconception is that we are very antisocial. What a lot of people from the older generations don’t understand is that it’s not antisocial per se; it’s just a new form of socialization. We are able to communicate in seconds with people from all over the world for jobs, entertainment, and even just general newsgathering."

-Milena, Miami University, Ohio Class of 2019

"Millennials are not ALL stuck up brats with no clue how to live their lives. My friends and I have been more involved on campus and in our work lives than my parents were at this age. I think we get a bad rap due to the flashy celebs associated with our generation."

-Gabrielle, Syracuse University Class of 2018

Related: The Work Hard, Play Hard Schools

"I think a lot of people think we're lazy, but really we need to work harder than ever to do the things older generations did before us. This includes paying for college, getting a job, and buying a house, among other things."

-Rebecca, University of Maryland Class of 2017

"Entitlement! The biggest misconception I know of is that millennials feel entitled to do well or have expectations that their employers will just hand them things. Saturday Night Live's recent skit with Miley Cyrus really bothered me. Stereotypes are given to everyone (even generations) and making them seem legitimate is a problem. P.S. Millennials do NOT spend all their free time on social media."

-Angela, Georgetown University Class of 2016

"I believe that people are confused about how much pressure is actually on us. People tend to believe that because we have technology it makes everything easier but in actuality it makes things more difficult due to the fact that anything we say or post on social media can come back to bite us."

-Alexa, Sacred Heart University Class of 2017

"Over and over again, I hear the prior generation complaining that we can't communicate and spend too much time on selfies. But selfies have existed since forever — with Queen Elizabeth having her portrait painted, and artists travelling around with backgrounds pre-sketched so that when someone requested an oil pastel selfie they only had to add the person. There were train carts filled with people reading the newspaper rather than talking to each other. At least we're texting our friends instead. I have friends in Israel and Australia — those relationships would have been impossible without technology. Our communications skills are improving."

-Cole, SCAD Atlanta Class of 2017

"I think that the biggest misconception is that we are all arrogant and conceited. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of millennials out there that are, but really we're just the same as every other generation. Some of the kindest, most selfless people I know are millennials. You can't judge a person by the generation they belong to."

-Meg, West Virginia Wesleyan College Class of 2019

"The biggest misconceptions people have about millennials is that we are all self-absorbed and constantly engage in risky behavior"

-Jackie, Christopher Newport University Class of 2016

"It’s assumed that we don't follow current events. We are well aware of what is going on in the world and how it is going to affect our future."

-Shannon, Stony Brook University Class of 2018

"I think people like to characterize millennials as lazy. I like to think that we're efficient —always looking for the quickest and best method to complete a task rather than just taking the paved route."

-Kelly, University of Michigan Class of 2017

"The biggest misconception is that we don't understand money. With the massive student loans the millennials in college have, we are forced us to be smart about our spending."

-Megan, Western Washington University Class of 2017

"People tend to think we have been ruined by technology but then expect our generation to be the ones running the social media accounts for their companies."

-Lizzy, Marist College Class of 2016

"I think one of the biggest misconceptions about millennials is that we are addicted to our technology. While I do believe that some members of this generation have a hard time pulling themselves away from all things chargeable, it definitely isn't true for all of us."

-Olivia, University of North Carolina at Wilmington Class of 2018

"I think one of the biggest misconceptions people have about millennials is that we are lazy. Parents think that we still rely on them financially at times because we aren't working hard enough to find jobs, however, the job market is more competitive now than it has ever been. I don’t think that parents realize that we are more stressed out about that than they are."

-Anne, Clemson University Class of 2017

Related: 13 Experiences All College Girls Have, as told by Kim Kardashian

"The biggest misconception I’ve noticed is that we're dumb. Yes, technology is easily at our fingertips and everything is getting faster, but that doesn't mean we're brain dead. Our generation is more forward thinking than ever before. Because we have access to higher technology, we're able to use it to our advantage and make breakthroughs that weren't possible before."

-Niyah, University of Cincinnati Class of 2019

"I think the biggest misconception people have about millennials is that we don't care about what is going on in the world around us and our history. It's actually quite the opposite. We are a generation that experienced such rapid change in our economic, societal, technological and political landscapes in such a little time that we find ourselves actually constantly looking back so we can examine our history, learn from mistakes and figure out where to go from there."

-Sarah, Montclair State University Class of 2017

"I find that many people believe that just because we are so technologically educated, we don't enjoy the pleasures of face-to-face conversation or phone calls. Although many millennials do communicate with one another via text message, there are still people who would much rather pick up the phone or schedule to meet with someone for lunch."

-Gabrielle, University of North Carolina at Wilmington Class of 2019

During the GOP debate tonight in Boulder, Colo., former BFFs Senator Marco Rubio and Governor Jeb Bush proved to have a strained relationship now that they're on the same stage.

Rubio and Bush may be bashing each other now, but only a few years ago they were close friends. According to the Washington Post, when Rubio was elected to the Senate in 2010, Bush acted as his mentor. They shared an admiring teacher-student relationship. Jeb Bush had even once said, “Marco Rubio makes me cry for joy.” Rubio returned that feeling later that year by saying that he would never challenge Jeb Bush if he ran for Florida Senate.

That feeling changed completely tonight. After Senator Rubio answered a question concerning running for President while being a Senator. Governor Bush challenged his former protégé for not working enough.

“Marco, when you signed up for [Senate] it was a six-year term. You should show up to work," he said. "Just show up or resign."

The two politicians continued battling throughout the question. These former friends are definitely going to have a lot of making up to do after the election.

The GOP Debate tonight on CNBC was titled “Your Money, Your Vote.” CNBC is extremely focused on the economy, as were many of the questions from tonight’s debate. The economy affects everyone, especially collegiettes. Here are the reasons why you should care about these issues.

1. Student Loans

According to US News, student loan debt rose 56 percent from 2004 to 2014. In another report done by The Wall Street Journal, the average college grad from 2015 would have to pay back around $35,000 dollars in loans. For most of us, being in college means being broke and living off of ramen noodles. Boxed wine is often a treat, and eating out is reserved for special occasions. High student loan rates are dangerous to our futures and will cause stress for decades.

2. Unemployment

The 2014 unemployment rate for college grads was 7.2 percent, according to US News. The national unemployment rate is 5.1 percent. This means that college students and recent graduates have a higher chance of not being able to find a job. Paying off those student loans suddenly becomes a lot scarier, huh?

3. National Debt

At the time that this article was written, the United States national debt was up to almost $18.5 trillion dollars. According to Forbes, the debt ceiling—the maximum amount of debt that congress will let the U.S. have—has been raised 74 times since March 1962. Hearing the amount of debt that our country is in is difficult to wrap one's head around. This debt, divided amongst the American people, would leave each citizen owing over $57,000 dollars. That's even more than those student loans you were worrying about earlier.

4. High Taxes

One way to pay off some of that $18 trillion dollar debt is to raise taxes in the U.S. According to the tax foundation, the average U.S. worker pays 31.3 percent of their income to the government every year—and we're still trillions of dollars in debt! About half of that debt is owed to income taxes, while the rest goes to payroll taxes. This adds up to an average of $16,000 out of your paychecks yearly. Add this to the debt from student loans, and you end up making a lot less than the yearly salary of whatever job you work.

This information on the economy isn't meant to scare anyone, but to show how the economy affects us all. As collegiettes, we should watch the presidential debate carefully and decide which candidate(s), if any, will help our wallets in the long-run.

As many times as Hillary Clinton was mentioned during tonight’s GOP debate, you would’ve thought she was there on stage going up against the ten featured Republican candidates. It seems every potential pres had something to say about Hillary throughout the course of the evening. But sadly, she was pretty much the ONLY woman we heard about.

In other words, female-oriented subjects were scarce. Sure, we got that one question about equal pay, but it was mostly brushed aside. Though the CNBC-hosted debate focused on economic topics, we feel there’s much more that could have been covered—with women in mind—than equal pay.

After all, there was a period in the broadcast when candidates were asked to discuss fantasy football. So if that question was deemed even the least bit valid, is it too much to ask that we get to hear about issues that we actually take seriously?

Candidate Carly Fiorina did bring the girl power, though, topping out with the most speaking time for the evening. According to The New York Times’ online coverage, Fiorina clocked in at 10 minutes and 31 seconds, besting all of her male opponents. So, for what it’s worth, the female voice had some say in the vein of Fiorina.

Here’s hoping we’ll hear more about the issues most strongly affecting women’s votes in the coming debates. 

TBH we’ve been missing Jon Stewart ever since he leftThe Daily Show. But with the 2016 presidential election coverage ramping up and tonight’s GOP debate, we’ve never missed him more. Below are eight times during the debate we wished Jon was around to offer up his sarcastic, hilarious opinion on it all.

1. When Ted Cruz went on a rant about media bias

Don’t even begin to go there.

2. Every time Hillary was mentioned

Like, you know she’s not even here, right?

3. When we realized how many of the candidates he’s shut down in the past

During his long Daily Show tenure, he put most of these candidates in their place at one point or another. Hang on; we just let ourselves imagine what it would’ve been like if he’d been the moderator. *dies from pure elation*

4. When Jeb Bush offered us a “warm kiss”

HARD. PASS.

5. Every time the candidates threw shade at the moderators

Stop breaking our hearts.

6. When that fantasy football question was asked…

…and we were supposed to take it seriously?

7. When Trump said literally anything

Stewart has gone on record declaring he would take a rocket to another planet if Trump is elected. That sentence says it all.

8. When we cried over how little was accomplished in that two-and-a-half hour period

What just happened?

We could really use a comeback right about now, buddy!

With the colorful cast of characters that makes up this presidential election, there were bound to be a LOT of GIF-able moments in tonight's GOP debate on CNBC. From Jeb's offer of a kiss to Cruz's promise to drive all of America home for the night, the candidates did not disappoint.

1. Carly Fiorina called out a whole lot of sexist people for saying she needed to smile more.

She delivered that smile, with some sass, perfectly.

2. Marco Rubio was questioned on his financial troubles, especially after publishing a book.

His response spoke to us all - paying off his student loans.

3. Donald Trump said he loves "Mexicans," then said (again) that he wants to build an entire wall at the Mexican border.

Also, let's not forget all of the ignorant comments he has made about Hispanics in the past. Yes, we are confused, Mr. Trump.

4. Jeb Bush offered any Democrat willing to cut spending $10 a "warm kiss."

5. The candidates had to list their "greatest weaknesses."

Most of the debaters did not actually offer an actual weakness. Apparently, for Donald Trump, he thinks that he trusts others too much.

6. Trump also carries a gun, "sometimes a lot."

7. Trump's strategy must be working for him, because Mike Huckabee thinks that Trump would be a better president than Hillary.

He's even wearing a "Trump tie."

8. Ted Cruz talked about pot brownies...

9. ...Then he offered to be the country's Designated Driver, in a totally metaphorical way (we think?)

10. Everyone attacked Hillary Clinton, who wasn't there, instead of talking about gender equality.

What is up with that?

What were your favorite moments from the GOP debate?

While many of us find the task of carving triangles into pumpkins to make traditional jack-o'-lanterns enough of a challenge, some impressive artisans around the world have managed to recreate celebrity faces onto some of the most unique jack-o'-lanterns you’ll ever see!

1. Britney Spears

2. Daniel Radcliffe

3. Justin Bieber

4. Robert Pattinson

5. Taylor Swift

6. Marilyn Monroe

7. Michael Jackson

8. Lindsay Lohan

9. Elvis Presley

10. Johnny Depp

11. Jay Leno

12. Oprah

13. Jack Nicholson

TIME just released its annual list of 100 Most Influential Teens this year, and we're not surprised to find that Kendall and Kylie Jenner are both on it. According to TIME, the considerations to make the list include accolades, global impact and newsworthiness. 

So why did Kylie make the list? She's the "most watched teenager in the world," with 60 million social media followers across all the platforms. TIME cites the #KylieJennerLipChallenge as a key example of her influence. “Everything I do, I always start these huge trends,” Jenner said, knowingly, in an interview with the publication. But TIME was even more impressed by what Jenner hopes her fame will accomplish. “I just want to inspire my fans to be whoever they want to be,” she said, “because that’s what I’ve always done.” Preach, girl.

And it goes without saying that her sister—she of the impressive "fashion resume" and the subject of the most liked Instagram photo of all time—was listed as well. The photo of her heart-patterned hair got more than 3 million likes.

And the Jenner girls are in great company; among them on the list are Malia Obama, Zendaya, Jaden Smith, and Malala Yousafzai. 

Dressing up as a superhero is a tried-and-true Halloween classic. What does it mean to be a female superhero for Halloween? To some people, it literally means wearing a cape, fighting villains and having supernatural powers. But there's so much more to being a female power icon, and there are so many women who are superheroes just for fighting for equality every day. Here are 15 of our favorite feminists that you can dress up as this Halloween.

1. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games series

You can go so many ways with this one, everything from simple to very flashy (like her flaming dress.)  Regardless which Katniss look you choose, it would be fun to carry a bow and arrow. 

2. Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is so class. She's like Superman, except better, because she does it all in those boots. 

3. Beyoncé

Beyoncé is everyone's favorite hero when she performs on stage. If you want to make this duo costume, grab a guy who's willing to go as Jay-Z. 

4. Olivia Pope from Scandal

This is an easy costume to represent one bad-ass female who can manage any crisis. 

5. Frida Kahlo 

Kahlo is a feminist icon, and you can incorporate her art into your costume if you want to get extra-creative. 

6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Another fairly easy costume - one of the most well-known kick-ass vampire slayers known to fiction. 

7. The Black Widow

The Black Widow really deserves her own movie series, but at least for now, you can act it out by playing her for Halloween. 

8. Laverne Cox and/or Sophia Burset from Orange is the New Black

A lot of the great Orange is the New Black costumes we've seen so far haven't included Sophia, but we think Laverne is absolutely fierce. Go as Laverne herself, or portray her take-charge, outspoken character in a simple prison jumpsuit. Plus ombre is so in. 

9. Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls 

We strongly recommend adding a cup of coffee as your main accessory. 

10. Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series

Because we all know Harry and Ron would've been nowhere without Hermione constantly saving the day.

11. Ellen Degeneres 

Pair this costume with a sassy joke or a viral Internet icon who has appeared on her show and you're golden. 

12. Korra from Avatar: Legend of Korra

Korra showed Avatar: The Last Airbender fans that a woman can rock the whole 'saving the world' thing. 

13. Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation and/or Liz Lemon from 30 Rock

Choose one of these hilarious ladies, or go with your best friend in this perfect companion costume.

14. Amelia Earhart 

Pay homage to a woman who made history, and as a bonus those are some killer boots. 

15. Princess Diana

Princess Diana was possibly one of the most fashionable female icons, making this a 100% classy costume for any black-tie Halloween affair you're invited to.