Regardless of whether or not you’re in a relationship, Valentine’s Day can be super fun. With all things glittery, red, pink, and, of course, heart-shaped, February is a blast. Don’t all of the cute Valentine’s Day store decorations make you want your apartment or dorm to be a little more festive, too?

Check out these fun and simple crafts, which you can do with just a few easily accessible supplies. Whether you’re giving them as gifts or just decorating your dorm, making these crafts is a fun way to have a girls’ night in with your friends.

1. Homemade Valentines

Valentine cards are probably the most widely recognized part of Valentine’s Day—remember passing the ones with cute Disney characters on them out in elementary school? Up your game by making your own cards this year for your family, friends, or boyfriend. It’s a cute way to show them how much they mean to you and a great excuse to improve your scrapbooking skills. Card making is more fun and effective if you get a group of friends together, because that way you can share supplies like heart punches and glitter glue, so plan a day where a few of your friends can catch up and make valentines together.

Tools and Materials

• Colored construction paper
• Markers or colored pencils
• Scissors
• Glue sticks
• Glitter glue pens

Classic Valentine Card Instructions
Elementary school art might have included drawing a heart on paper, but you can do a lot better than that.

• Cut a variety of colored hearts, and glue them onto the card to create a collage.
• Decorate the individual hearts with glitter glue or color different patterns on them to show how much effort you put into the card.
• If you have access to buttons and ribbon, bows would make a great accent to the outside of the cards, too. Get creative!

Or, if the idea of cutting a template and gluing a bunch of hearts together makes you sweat, try this cute and easy valentine idea we found on Pinterest.

You can get the popcorn holder at a dollar store and can find candy hearts almost anywhere this time of year. All you need is a hot glue gun to get everything to stick, and the result is adorable.

Popup Valentine cards
If you’re ready to take your valentines to the next level, try making popup cards. MarthaStewart.com has step-by-step instructions for making crafts like accordion cards and illustrated cards, so you can choose the project that fits with your skill level.

We love the accordion card since it’s easy to make—here are Martha Stewart’s instructions, taken from her website:

Tools and Materials

• Card stock, scrapbook paper, and envelopes
• Pens and pencils
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Craft knife
• Self-healing cutting mat
• Double-sided tape
• Hole punch
• Bone folder

Accordion Card Instructions

• Print a template (which can be as simple as the outline of a heart shape) on card stock, cut, and trace onto the paper for the folded piece. If making one card, print directly on desired paper.
• Fold along score marks. Then unfold, cut out and refold.
• Position the folded piece inside base card so it pops. Secure with double-sided tape.

2. Crayon Hearts for Windows

If you’ve always loved stained glass or just want a way to make your room look a bit more inviting, these crayon hearts are a festive way to spruce up your space. All you need are a few pieces of wax paper, some crayons, and an iron, and you’ll have plenty of hearts in no time. Here are the instructions for these lovely crayon hearts.

Tools and Materials

• Wax Paper
• Crayons in festive Valentine’s Day Colors
• Iron
• Handheld Pencil Sharpener
• Kraft paper

Crayon Heart Instructions

• Begin with a 12-by-16-inch sheet of waxed paper. Fold it in half along its length; unfold.
• Deposit wax-crayon shavings (made with a handheld pencil sharpener) evenly but not thickly across one half of the paper. Fold the clean half of the paper over the shavings.
• Crimp the three open edges with a 1/2-inch fold to hold the shavings.
• Protect your ironing surface with kraft paper. Place the waxed paper on the kraft paper, and cover it with another sheet of kraft paper.
• Iron lightly on medium heat, checking after every few passes.
• Stop when all the shavings have melted; let cool.
• Next, trace and cut out hearts of various sizes. String each heart with a silk thread for hanging.

3. Hanging Heart Wall Art

If you don’t have crayons or an iron, this heat-free project is a great alternative. Wall art is perfect for decorating a small space, and it will add instant holiday spirit to your décor.

Here are the instructions, taken from Making Home Base:

Tools and Materials

• Card stock in various colors
• Scissors
• Twine
• Hot glue
• Old frame found around the house or from a vintage store or thrift shop

Heart Wall Art Instructions

• Create cutout hearts from the cardstock pieces. You can leave them in solid colors or add stripes and other patterns—it’s up to you and your decorating style. For her project, Chelsea of Making Home Base used a combination of patterned and solid hearts.
• Place cutout hearts in the frame to position them.
• Place the string over the top of the hearts and start gluing. On the site, Chelsea recommends gluing two heart cut outs together so that you don’t see the glue or string on one side if they get turned around.
• Glue the strings in place onto the frame with hot glue.

4. Decorating with Candy

There are so many Valentine’s Day-specific candies that it would be a shame not to use them in a Valentine’s Day craft. Also, having a few treats around will make you everyone’s favorite hostess next time your friends visit your dorm room or apartment.

Try Lauren Conrad’s idea of putting candy hearts in a Mason jar and wrapping the lid in a festive ribbon. This requires very little effort and will add instant Valentine’s Day charm to your room. Conrad makes the jar even sweeter by adding a tag with a penny and a note about being lucky in love, making this a quick and easy gift to give your friends. Here are the instructions, taken from Lauren’s blog:

Tools and Materials

• Penny
• Red or pink ribbon
• Mason jar
• Hot glue gun
• Gift tag
• Bag of Sweethearts or your other favorite Valentine’s Day candy

Lucky in Love Jar Instructions

• Using the hot glue gun, glue your lucky penny in the middle of the tag (heads up, of course).
• Next, take a letter stamp set or a Sharpie and write the message “Here's to getting lucky in love” onto the gift tag around the penny.
• Use the ribbon to tie the tag onto a Mason jar and fill it with Sweethearts or your other favorite candy.

5. Felt Fortune Cookies

Martha Stewart’s creative mind is at it again with her felt fortune cookies, which unfold to include a personal message and a treat for the recipient. Everyone loves opening fortune cookies, and your friends or party guests will love that you took the time to make this thoughtful gift. Plus, they include candy!

So, ready to get crafty? Here are the instructions for the fortune cookies, taken from MarthaStewart.com:

Tools and Materials

• Felt sheets in various red and pink shades
• Fabric shears
• Fabric glue
• Wire cutters
• Floral wire
• Ribbon or paper with printed message
• Small, individually wrapped candies

Fortune Cookie Instructions

• Use fabric shears to cut a 4 1/2-inch-diameter circle from a piece of felt. Cut a piece of matching ribbon slightly shorter than 4 1/2 inches. Use wire cutters to cut a piece of floral wire slightly shorter than the length of the ribbon.
• Using craft glue, affix the wire to the middle of the felt circle. Glue the ribbon on top, covering the wire. Let dry for 30 minutes.
• Fold the felt circle in half, using the wire as a guide so the ribbon is inside the cookie. Next, angle the sides toward each other, bending the wire at its halfway point and forming a fortune-cookie shape.
• Assemble the fortune cookies. Carefully peel back one flap of the felt cookie and insert a paper fortune and a few candies. Fold the flap back over to close cookie around contents.

6. Heart-Filled Gift Box

If you want to show your friends or boyfriend how much you care about them, why not give them this adorable box filled with dozens of heart cutouts? The best part about this project is that it is super easy to create, so if you’re not great with arts projects you’ll love this one from The House That Lars Built.

Here are the tools and instructions, which, along with the photo, are taken from The House That Lars Built:

Tools and Materials

• Medium-sized gift box
• Scissors
• Cutout hearts made from construction paper in various colors

Heart-Filled Box Instructions

• Glue a large heart on each side of the box’s exterior. You can also write the person’s name or a Valentine’s Day message inside the hearts.
• Fill the box with the heart cutouts. It’s as simple as that!  For a more heartfelt version of this craft, write a reason why you love the recipient on each heart.

7. Decorated Wine Glasses

Wine glasses are the classy way to consume any beverage, alcoholic or not, and there’s no better wine glass than a personalized one. You can make these with your friends at a Valentine’s Day get-together, or you could make them for your friends in advance as Valentine’s Day gifts in lieu of traditional valentine cards.

For the glasses themselves, you can find affordable packages of clear, plastic wine and champagne glasses at most party supply stores. They’ll be easy to work with, and you won’t have to worry about breaking glass during your craft making.

Tools and Materials

• Plastic wine glasses
• Permanent markers
• Enamel paint
• Fine paintbrushes

Decorated Wine Glass Instructions

Here are the instructions for painting your wine glasses, taken from WikiHow:

• Sketch your designs onto the glass before you apply paint. The design can be hearts, flowers, your friend’s name—anything you want to include that signifies Valentine’s Day. This will help you avoid mistakes before you start painting, and according to WikiHow, you can remove mistakes with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover.
• Fill in your sketches with paint. You may need to add multiple coats to ensure that the paint won’t chip off after a few uses of your wine glass. As with the sketches, you can use rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover to get rid of paint mistakes.
• Let your wine glasses dry for a full 24 hours before heating them.
• Now, it’s time to heat the glasses to set the paint. Line a cookie sheet with foil and turn your oven to 350ºF. Immediately put the glasses on the lined sheet and place them in the oven without waiting for it to preheat—the gradual warming will prevent the glasses from cracking.
• Set a timer for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat after 20 minutes, leave in for a further 10 minutes, and then remove the glasses after the 30 minutes.

Whether you want to give a valentine to the guy you’ve liked for months make a gift for a friend, or decorate your dorm room, these craft ideas will impress all of your friends.

What are your favorite Valentine’s Day crafts? Let us know in the comments section!

Forget chocolate, flowers and teddy bears; this is our real Valentine's Day wish list! 

1. A bouquet of puppies

A dozen puppies > a dozen roses.

2. An unlimited Starbucks card

The quickest way to a girl’s heart.

3. The password to his Netflix account

Season two of House of Cards comes out on February 14… just saying.

4. Tickets to Coachella

We’ll also accept passes to "Coachella for Collegiettes."

5. Leonardo DiCaprio circa 1997

To us, he'll always be Jack Dawson.

6. Wine

Studies show that if you drink enough wine, it feels like love.

7. Cookie Dough Oreos

Because that’s what dreams are made of.

8. A no-holds-barred shopping spree

There are few situations in life that can't be improved with a little retail therapy.

9. This puppy in a bow tie

Too cute to handle.

10. A chocolate box full of money

It's not easy being a broke college girl!  

11. Hair that's as amazing as Elsa's

Why can’t Disney princess hair be a real thing?  

Before the MTV show Catfish aired on television, I experienced a catfishing story of my own. Catfish is a popular MTV reality show that reveals the truth behind online relationships. More often than not, one person finds out that the person he or she fell in love with online is not who that person claimed to be.

All the pieces are there: fake profile, fake pictures, deceiving someone on the opposite side of the screen. I’m a fan of the show, but every time I watch it, I get flashbacks to a time when I was the one behind the screen, hiding behind a fake profile. On the other side of the screen was my ex-boyfriend Sean*.      

I’ve never been a malicious person, and I never intended to hurt Sean by creating the profile. The two of us had been in a very weird place for a few years. We started hooking up when I was a sophomore in high school.  Though we never defined our relationship as boyfriend/girlfriend, we cared a lot about each other; that much was clear.

The whole relationship was a major roller coaster. One night we would be on the phone until three in the morning talking about everything under the sun, and the next day we would be fighting. Sometimes we wouldn’t talk for weeks at a time. This cycle went on until I lost my virginity to him during winter break of my freshman year of college. After that day, I didn’t hear from him at all except for brief small talk. He seemed to want nothing more to do with me.

After months of crying myself to sleep, some friends and I created Monica* on Facebook. We didn’t create Monica to hurt him; I was just curious to see how he acted around other girls who weren’t me. I wanted to figure him out.  I wanted to know if there was someone else, because he had led me to think that having sex would only bring us closer, and it did just the opposite. I wanted to know if he was mean and cold to everyone, or if it was just me whom he would hurt.    

My friends and I had fun setting up Monica’s Facebook profile. We found some random girl on a Google search and used that picture as her Facebook profile picture. We created a few more fake profiles to be Monica’s friends and had them write on her wall so it looked less suspicious. We uploaded a few other profile pictures for her, and a few days later, we sent Sean a friend request.

It went exactly as expected. As soon as Sean accepted Monica’s friend request, he messaged her. Their first conversation went well; I knew enough about Sean that it was easy to make them hit it off. We talked about everything: the hobbies they had, their families, their futures. We ended up talking for hours, and eventually he asked “her” to hang out with him next time she was home (which we said was a few towns away from where he lived). This was supposed to be their only conversation, so we had fun playing around with what Monica was like.

This time of year, it seems that love is in the air... just not the air that you’re breathing. Before you go hunting for whatever love potion your peers seem to have gotten their hands on this Valentine’s Day, take a moment to stop, reflect, and relish the fact that you won’t be spending your afternoon cutting out paper hearts (hello, carpal tunnel) or worrying about lipstick smudges (because nothing says, “Kiss me” like rouge-stained teeth, right?). Not convinced that you’re better off? These reasons to celebrate the single life on V-Day just might change your mind:

1. You don’t have to worry about braving that blizzard to go shopping for a special V-Day date outfit.

2. The aforementioned V-Day date outfit would likely cost as much as a few days’ worth of food and you’re on a college budget. Plus, you’re hungry.

3. You’ll convince yourself in the dressing room that you’ll wear said V-Day date outfit more than once, but let’s be real: where are you going to wear that sparkly red cocktail dress? Class? What is this, Pretty Little Liars?

4. Ryan Gosling has been in over 20 movies and you want to watch them all, which takes time, undivided attention, and a large, tree house-style “No Boys Allowed” sign posted on your door to repel the non-believers.

5. Those heart-shaped candy boxes never hold as much chocolate as they seem to in the store and you hate that awkward moment when you realize that there just aren’t enough to share. Not enough good ones, at least, which is basically the same thing.

6. Because you aren’t a sharer, period.

7. You can buy yourself roses at the florist and they won’t be any less special than that bouquet your roommate’s boyfriend bought her. It’s not like he picked them himself...

8. Pink just isn’t your color and, therefore, Valentine’s Day just isn’t your holiday.

9. Your best friend is panicking about what kind of present she should buy for her hook-up buddy, and you rejoice at the fact that you aren’t in her shoes. She doesn’t even know if she’s in a relationship, let alone if her boy-toy likes crewnecks.

10. Unfortunately, your best friend is wrong: her boy-toy doesn’t like crewnecks.

11. One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful” is a freaking anthem. Sing it loud and proud.

12. You’re still exhausted from your last relationship and you just want to do you.

13. You missed last week’s episode of Girls and you finally have some time to yourself to watch it, or more accurately, some time to audibly point out all of the ideas that Lena Dunham stole from your own personal life (without anyone questioning your choices).

14. It’s a fine day for a fro-yo and a shopping spree. #treatyourself

15. The movie Valentine’s Day exists and was designed to make awkward V-Day alone time not awkward.

16. While watching Valentine’s Day, you get to enjoy your favorite flavors of man candy: Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane, Jamie Foxx, Patrick Dempsey, Topher Grace, Taylor Lautner, and Ashton Kutcher.

17. Plus, that guy who plays Emma Roberts’s boyfriend who will probably be hot one day.

18. You also happen to have girl-crushes on Emma Roberts, Jessica Biel, Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Queen Latifah, Taylor Swift, Anne Hathaway, and Jennifer Garner, to name a few.

19. You have the freedom to watch the Taylor Swift/Taylor Lautner scenes on repeat in the hopes of pinpointing the moment they fell in love (others aren’t quite so jazzed by the idea).

20. Valentine’s Day is infinitely better than New Year’s Eve, so this will be a vast improvement on your last movie night. Seriously, what were they thinking?

21. You still have blisters on your feet from those fabulous heels you wore last weekend (ahem, last night), and instead of wedging your toes into yet another death trap, you fully intend to give them some TLC by staying in and snuggling them up in some slippers.

22. Your friend is giving her boyfriend a well thought-out mix tape and he isn’t giving her anything. “Oh, it’s Valentine’s Day?” you hear him say. “Oh, we’re at the gift-giving stage?” you hear him say. Facepalm.

23. You got 99 problems, but a frat bro ain’t one.

24. You have your eyes on that guy from Sociology, and rumor has it he’s recently single.

25. You spotted said guy from Sociology hanging out in the Student Union (since he also doesn’t have Valentine’s Day plans) and you’re already halfway through plotting your “chance encounter,” complete with flawless hair flip. It’s only stalking if you followed him there, right?

26. You’re certain that one day, Rob Reiner will use this “chance encounter” as the meet cute when he makes a blockbuster about your epic romance. You’re hoping this will lead to Twilight-franchise-style action figures.

27. “I hate chocolate,” said no one ever. Except your ex, last Valentine’s Day. #freeatlast

28. You know who else is celebrating the single life this V-Day? Taylor Swift. You’re no less lucky in love than even the most successful of women.

29. Your parents will be overjoyed when you tell them that you finally have free time to Skype them since your friends are out on dates. Suddenly you’ve regained your rightful status as the favorite child.

30. When you first turn on Skype and your dad barely recognizes you, you realize you probably should have done this weeks ago.

31. When you think back to Valentine’s Days past – several of which featured red- and pink-colored braces – you remember how lucky you are to be a beautiful collegiette with an entire campus full of single undergrads at your disposal. And more importantly, that you no longer have braces.

32. Because “serial dater” isn’t nearly so awful as “serial killer,” but you still don’t like the sound of it... especially when it’s used to describe you. Time for a break?

33. You aren’t a fan of heart-shaped goodies. It’s a cookie. It should be shaped like one.

34. The V-Day party will be filled with other singles, and you’re like a kid in a candy store.

35. You’re reading Romeo and Juliet in your Shakespeare class and that stuff is straight up depressing. You’re not really in the mood to be a star-crossed lover anytime soon. Please and thank you.

36. Because you aren’t the only single one out there. You just happen to be the best. Expect boys to be beating down your door by sundown.

Remember, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for the sweethearts of the world (though it’s probably nice for them, too). So put on “Single Ladies,” turn up your speaker, and get your celebratory, single-gal V-Day started right.

Living on a college budget forces us collegiettes to get a little creative sometimes. We don’t always have the expenses to go out and buy a new shirt when we spill red wine on a top or get new tights when one gets a run, so we’re always looking for creative, new ways to solve our fashion problems. Luckily, HC is here to let you in on some of the easiest fashion hacks that will fix your everyday style problems and save you money.

1. Get Rid of Deodorant Stains by Rubbing the Area With the Same Fabric

Deodorant stains are a girl’s worst nightmare. Finding someone else’s deodorant marks on a shirt you see at the mall can be the kiss of death for that purchase if it’s the only one left in your size. Having them on your own clothes can be embarrassing and just plain annoying.

Luckily, the solution is so easy you’ll be amazed you never knew it before. Sally McGraw, blogger behind style blog Already Pretty, says to “gently rub the stained area with a bit of cloth from the same garment. This will remove the mark.” No cleaning products, no special tools and no fuss necessary to fix this everyday problem! By simply rubbing it with the same texture fabric, it dislodges the deodorant and lifts the stains off of the shirt.

2. Keep the Shape of Your Tall Boots by Stuffing Them With Magazines

Tall boots are essentials for every collegiette’s wardrobe, so there comes a time after a lot of use when the shaft of the boot loses its shape. Having a slouching boot can both damage the overall look of your outfit and make it difficult to store your shoes.

The solution? “Roll up old magazines and slide them into the boots to keep them upright,” McGraw says. Stuffing the boots with magazines or newspapers has the same effect as you wearing them and will prevent them from crumpling around the ankles of the boots.

3. Put Clear Nail Polish on Runs in Your Tights

We’ve all been there: that moment of panic when you’re about to go out and you realize there’s a small run in your tights. Even tiny runs have the potential for disaster if they continue to split because it could result in leaving less to the imagination than you’d like. A large run in a pair of tights can make an outfit look immediately trashy and unprofessional.

If you see a run starting to form, don’t freak out! Dabbing some clear nail polish over it will prevent it from stretching into a rip. It essentially works as glue, solidifying the surrounding area and keeping the material from stretching even more. 

4. Get Rid of Static Cling by Rubbing Dryer Sheets on Your Clothes

Wearing a dress, skirt or shirt that is prone to static cling can leave it clinging to all the wrong places. If you don’t own any static-cling-removing spray, the next best thing is to use a dryer sheet. Before you go out, rub a dryer sheet on the inside of the clothing to prevent any embarrassing clinging.

5. Get Rid of Linty Clothes With Damp Hands or Tape

Whether you have a pet that sheds or you live in a dusty dorm room, every collegiette has encountered a time when she needs to de-lint her clothing. Here’s what to do if you’re caught without a lint roller.

Any easy fix for this problem is to “wet your hand with a bit of water and run [it] over your garments,” McGraw says. “It won’t work as well as a lint roller, but can remove some of the more obvious stuff.” Your hands should only be slightly damp because you don’t want soggy clothing, but having that little bit of moisture causes the lint to stick to your hands.

To get any remaining pieces, finish the job by dabbing a piece of tape over the problem area. The lint will stick to the tape like a lint roller.

6. Make Your Shoes Smell Better by Putting Them in the Freezer

Most college campuses require a lot of time on your feet, be it walking to class, working out or dancing at a party. All that time spent with your feet crammed in shoes can make the shoes start to stink, which is more than a little embarrassing.

To deal with this problem, McGraw says to “put [your shoes] in a sealed zipper bag in the freezer for a few days. This kills many common bacteria that live in shoes and cause them to smell.” Because they’re in a sealed bag, they won’t stink up your freezer.

If you don’t have access to a freezer, try stuffing the shoes with fabric softener sheets or dryer sheets. These sheets will add a good perfume to the shoes and absorb any moisture, which can cause smelly shoes.

7. Avoid Blisters From New Flats by Blow-drying Them First

Buying a new pair of flats is both exciting and terrifying. On one hand, you have a fashionable new addition to your shoe collection, but on the other hand, you know days of discomfort are soon to follow as you try to break in the new shoes.

To avoid blisters, wear thick socks and put on your flats. Grab a blow dryer and aim it at the tight areas of your shoes for a couple minutes. While they cool down, make sure to keep your socks and flats on. Try the shoes on once they’re cool, and if they’re still not loose enough, repeat the process again.

8. Avoid Tangled Jewelry by Threading Necklaces Through Straws

When you’re in a rush to get ready in the morning and need that one accessory to pull together your look, you definitely don’t have time to untangle a wad of necklaces. Throwing them in a drawer is a recipe for a colossal knot of jewelry and late arrival to class.

However, this won’t be the case if you thread your necklaces through straws. Put one half of the chain through the straw and fasten the clasp once it comes out the other end. It may look a little funny, but it’s guaranteed to leave your jewelry drawer knot-free.

9. Use White Wine to Get Rid of Red Wine Stains

Wine nights with the girls are a great way to let loose and relax—until someone spills red wine on your shirt, your couch, your rug or anything else in the vicinity. Red wine stains can cause immediate panic, but there is a go-to trick to try before you throw away your favorite shirt. Pour white wine on the red wine and dab the area with a cloth to lift off the stain. Doing so neutralizes the red color. Be careful not to rub it, because that will force the red wine into the clothing.

These unconventional fashion hacks are a surefire way to avoid fashion faux pas. They’re easy and can be done with everyday objects, so you no longer have to wear your wallet thin to replace something that can be fixed with one of these hacks. Which fashion hacks do you plan to try out?  Let us know in the comments!

I had the pleasure of seeing Lela Rose's runway presentation for the first time last season, and am delighted to have had the pleasure again. It's nice to find a designer who is consistently elegant, who has a clear point of view and a high level of taste. Rose's Fall/Winter 2014 collection was inspired by renowned restaurant El Bulli, famous for its 40+ course menu of colorful, creative and unexpected items (like flavored foams, pistachio ravioli, and oyster and bone marrow tartare). Rose infused those same elements of the creative and unexpected into her collection with architectural silhouettes, geometric patterns and surprise details. Some favorite looks included a citrine crop top and full skirt punched through with a grid of squares, a magenta embossed silk strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline, a ombre dress covered in feathers shading from white to navy blue, and a jacquard dress in a swirl pattern with a plunging but delicate v-neck. But really, every piece in the collection was smartly, meticulously assembled and was a joy to see on the runway. Looking at the pieces Rose created, I wanted to be that girl: she made not just a collection, but a lifestyle. For more pictures from the collection, check out this slideshow on Style.com.

Makeup, by the wonderful Romy Soleimani using Kevyn Aucoin products for Beauty.com, was glitter, glitter and more glitter! Gold covered the eyes, with small sequins on either side of the face, with no blush and just a hint of lip gloss. Hair, by the fabulous Ted Gibson for Beauty.com, was a twisted swirl of an updo, twisted and braided together then pinned up and adorned with a small pearl pin. Nails were by Butter London for Beauty.com, featuring a diagonal swipe of silver. 

Take a look behind the scenes and at the show with some of my pictures here! 

Name: Meg Biram

Age: 30
Job Title and Description: Entrepreneur, Blogger, Consultant
College/Major: University of Missouri-Columbia/Journalism
Website: meganbiram.com

Twitter Handle: @megbiram

Name: Victoria McGinley
Age: 29
Job Title and Description: Graphic Designer, Consultant, Blogger
College/Major: University of Southern California/BS Business Administration, California Culinary Academy/AOS Culinary Arts
Website: vmacandcheese.com / Vivaleur.com / shopthebbar.com
Twitter Handle: @vmacandcheese

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

Meg Biram: I wear a lot of hats. I produce, write and design my entire blog on my own. I conceptualize and produce photo shoots for my site and other companies. I have an online shop where I sell products and collaborate with other designers on designing and developing products. I do consulting on many subjects but mostly blogging, social media, digital marketing and how to work with bloggers. Victoria and I created The B Bar so that we could do consulting at any time for anyone. They can just grab a drink at The B Bar, our online shop full of cocktails and shots (also known as ebooks). I also co-founded an online gift guide magazine called to & from.

Every day is different, but I’m usually doing similar things within each week—sourcing and developing concepts for posts and photo shoots, producing and styling photo shoots, writing ebooks for The B Bar, doing social media for my site and The B Bar, shipping products from my shop, sourcing new products, collaborating with other designers, prep for consulting clients, meetings… basically everything. Not to mention the business side of owning your own business—paying bills, dealing with printers and technology, etc.

Victoria McGinley: My work is really divided into the three businesses I run: Vivaleur, which is a graphic design and online media consultancy shop specializing in web design for bloggers and small businesses, as well as consulting services for individuals interested in learning more about blogging and being an online entrepreneur; vmac+cheese, which is my personal lifestyle blog; and The B Bar, which sells downloadable PDFs related to blogging and working online. With so many pokers in the fire, it’s safe to say there’s no such thing as a typical day, though I definitely have a solid workflow down!

I love working for myself, but when you own a business, you are effectively CEO, CFO, CMO, COO, HR, mid-level management and assistant too. So on any given day, my working hours will be filled with emails, generating content for the blog, designing a website for a client, spending time on social media, handling payroll and strategizing about where I want to grow my businesses next!

What is the best part of your job?

MB: I love what I do, and I decide what I do. It doesn’t really get better than that.

VM: Definitely being your own boss, and seeing the fruits of your labor pay off. There’s nothing like reaching a goal and knowing that it was entirely your blood, sweat and tears that made it happen. In past (traditional) jobs, feeling like I didn’t make a difference was always such a bummer.

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

MB: My first job out of college was as a design editor at The Observer (a newspaper) in Sarasota, Florida. It was four long days a week of designing three Sarasota newspapers. I got the job in sort of a strange way—during my college graduation ceremony I was sitting in the back next to a friend of mine from high school. Yes, we were chatting a little during the ceremony, and she told me she had just turned down a job in Florida because she wanted to stay in Missouri, but that I should email the lady she spoke with. So I did. I had the job a few days later, which was just a few days before I got married! A few days after our honeymoon, my new husband and I moved to Florida. That was a crazy two weeks!

VM: In all honesty, I had several “entry-level” jobs before I really figured out what I wanted to do. My path went something like this: enter senior year of college, where I was finishing a business degree with an emphasis in brand marketing, fully convinced I would take a job at an ad agency or in market research. Get internship in both, and decide I hate agency work. Graduate, and go to culinary school instead. Intern for a major newspaper, and eventually work as a freelancer for said paper, writing food features and testing and styling recipes. Work at a winery for a time, learning how to make wine. Realize it’s really hard to make a living in food print media, as the industry is (at the time) dying. Take a job in food and wine PR. Re-confirm that I really hate agency work.

By this point, I’d been out of college for over three years, and felt like I was going nowhere fast. I knew that I wanted to work for myself, and I knew that I was entrepreneurial, but I just wasn’t sure how to harness my creative capabilities. So I took a step back. I got a job working for a university, which provided me with great benefits and a more relaxed atmosphere so that I didn’t feel so much pressure to be climbing a corporate ladder. I knew in my heart of hearts that this job was a stopover until I figured out what it was I wanted to do, but in the meantime, I’d at least have a paycheck and the space in my life to explore my interests and passions even more.

About a year before I took the university job, I had started my blog. Somewhere around a year and a half in, I realized blogging touched upon a lot of the areas I was interested incorporating into my work: I could be creative, celebrate other women and their achievements, share my interests and passions, and hopefully scale it into something bigger. So I started putting a ton more effort into my site, and after nearly three and a half years of blogging, I left my traditional day job to work for myself full time!

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

MB: How important your persistence is, and that you have to make things happen for yourself. You can’t just wait for opportunities to come to you.

VM: In blogging, it can feel like there are always more things to do or that you’re never doing enough. You can always be tweeting more, Instagramming more, attending more events, posting more. I wish I would’ve set boundaries for myself earlier and been more strategic in where I spent a lot of my time.

For basically all entrepreneurial endeavors, I wish I would’ve valued my work more earlier on. I was scared to charge higher rates, thinking it would limit the number of clients I had, when in reality, I think raising rates has actually brought me more interesting projects and clients who are much more invested (literally and figuratively) in their design.

You both also run very popular blogs, MEG BIRAM and vmac+cheese. What is it like balancing work and blogging?

MB: Blogging is a large part of my “job” and I absolutely love it. Work and blogging are all wrapped up together for me. I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily good at balancing work and life, though… I work a lot.

VM: Well, my blog kind of is my work in a way, so it gets integrated into my agenda just like anything else. Typically I try to generate content for the blog on Mondays, so much of the rest of the week can be spent on other tasks.

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

MB: Recently I met someone who instantly became a friend and mentor, Jaime of Pretty Prudent. She’s amazing. Very open with information and teaching me what she’s learned. I really value our friendship.

VM: Probably my web developer, Lisa Butler. She’s become a great partner and asset to my design business, and always astounds me with her knowledge and know-how. Your business can really take off when you surround yourself with great people whom you can learn from! 

What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?

MB: Make it happen. Find a way.

VM: This is less a quote, but more a way of approaching your work. I often remind myself of this: There will always be so many things that will distract you, or make you feel inadequate or vulnerable or like you’re not enough. Remember to focus your energy on the things that will continue to force you to grow in positive ways – invest in yourself, spend your time and resources wisely and have faith in yourself and the future.

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

MB: Something I tend to do frequently is not give myself enough time—for anything. That is a lesson I’ve learned over and over, and I will be majorly changing my habits and planning in the future.

VM: Don’t be afraid of spending money on help from the pros if you need it. I spent almost an entire year struggling through Quickbooks and wasting a ton of time on invoicing. When I finally spent the money on a CPA and a better invoicing program, I saved a ton of time and stress. It was so worth the money. Spending money on these things is just part of being a business, so don’t be afraid that it’s going to negatively impact your bottom line–in fact, the opposite will probably happen.

What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

MB: I need someone who is detail-oriented; more detail-oriented than I am! And of course a good attitude; no bad attitudes allowed.

VM: I would want someone who is a rockstar communicator, a strong critical thinker, super resourceful and knows more than me. Like I said, I think some of the best business relationships are symbiotic, when you can really learn from one another. 

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

MB: Work hard. It’s always good to get some experience with someone who’s already been in the industry for a while or with a brand. Learn the ropes, and once you’ve come up with a solid concept and a plan, then attack it.

VM: Within the blogging industry, I’ve observed that many young women see others carving out a path to success, then try to follow in their exact same footsteps, but they forget that one size doesn’t fit all. My best advice would be to explore what makes you unique and determine where you can provide value in the industry. Don’t do something just because someone else appears to have had success with it… and in that vein, think carefully about what success even means to you.

As far as owning a design studio and being an entrepreneur, I’d say write a good business plan, be realistic in your expectations and then get down to business and start working! Dreams only work when you do.

It has been a busy weekend for Sochi 2014! Between the Opening Ceremony and the first medal events, it’s clear that the Winter Olympics are in full swing. If you missed out on the action or need a refresher on the highlights, then keep reading for Sochi Scoop’s weekend recap.

Russia puts on a dazzling show for the Opening Ceremony

Despite a few technical difficulties (like the malfunctioning fifth Olympic ring!), the Opening Ceremony dazzled and wowed the crowds. With a colorful stage and impressive choreography, the ceremony led its viewers through pivotal points of Russian history. There was a dance sequence based on War and Peace, fireworks and performers galore (more than 3,000!). Plus, the Russian police choir covered “Get Lucky,” and it was kind of hilarious. Check out this awesome video of the ceremony to see dancers and acrobats perform during a carnival scene. Russian President Vladimir Putin was in attendance and officially declared the start of the Games. Athletes paraded on stage as their countries' maps were projected on the ground. Russian athletes Irina Rodnina and Vladislav Tretyak lit the Olympic flame.

First gold medal of Sochi 2014 goes to USA

The first gold medal of the 2014 Winter Olympics was awarded to American snowboarder Sage Kotsenburg on Saturday. Kotsenburg, 20, took the gold with a score of 93.5 in men’s snowboard slopestyle, a new Winter Olympic event. He tweeted his shock and excitement shortly after winning.

Poland wins gold in normal hill ski jumping

Kamil Stoch of Poland won the gold medal in men’s normal hill ski jumping on Sunday. Stoch, 26, had a final score of 278 points and traveled 103.5 meters during his final jump. Before Stoch, Poland hadn’t won a gold in ski jump in more than 40 years. Check out this video of Stoch’s winning run (ski jumping is definitely not for the faint of heart!).

Skiathlon isn’t easy

This just goes to show that the skiathlon event is not at all easy! The screenshot above was taken after the women’s skiathlon competition. In the event, athletes cross-country ski in the classical style for 7.5 kilometers, then they switch skis and finish a 7.5 kilometer freestyle run. Physically exhausted athletes immediately collapsed after crossing the finish line at the Laura Cross-country Ski & Biathlon Center. Isn't it strange seeing all the competitors lay on the ground, completely beat, next to each other? Marit Bjoergen of Norway won gold in the women’s skiathlon event. This is Marit’s fourth Olympics and her fourth gold medal.

Canadian sisters win gold and silver

It was a family affair for the Dufour-Lapointes! Standing on the podium together, Canadian sisters Justine and Chloe Dufour-Lapointe held hands after placing in the women's mogul event. On Saturday night, Justine, 19, took gold, while her sister Chloe, 22, was awarded the silver medal. Their older sister, Maxime, was also competeing in the event and made into the top 12. The bronze medal went to Hannah Kearney of the USA.

USA's Jamie Anderson wins gold during inaugural event

When Her Campus interviewed Jamie Anderson in November we predicted that she’d be a big name at Sochi 2014, and it turns out we were right! Anderson won gold on Sunday for her performance during the women’s snowboard slopestyle event. Her second run earned a score of 95.25! Jamie's family was in attendance at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park. After finding out that she won the gold, they happily cheered and celebrated.

Julia Lipnitskaya becomes a Sochi sweetheart, wins gold

At just 15 years old, Julia Lipnitskaya is Russia’s youngest athlete to ever win gold at a Winter Olympics. On Sunday she took the gold medal for the team figure skating event with her skating partner, Yevgeny Plushenko. She received a standing ovation for her performance, and Putin congratulated her afterwards. It's no doubt that the girl can skate, not to mention that her spins are crazy impressive! Watch this video of Julia’s performance from Saturday and prepare to be amazed. We’ll have to see if she wins a gold for herself in the individual competition!

American ice skater is not happy with her scores

London 2012’s McKayla Maroney isn’t the only unimpressed Olympic athlete. Figure skater Ashley Wagner, 22, didn’t seem too pleased with her score in the figure skating event on Saturday. The American’s excitement quickly turned to disbelief when she was awarded a score of 63.10. Wagner finished the event in fourth place. Maybe her priceless reaction will become the newest Olympic meme?

Johnny Quinn busts through his jammed bathroom door

...With no phone to call for help, I used my bobsled push training to break out. #SochiJailBreakpic.twitter.com/apZRefgvCO

— Johnny Quinn (@JohnnyQuinnUSA) February 8, 2014

Former NFL player and US bobsledder Johnny Quinn busted through his bathroom door once he realized he was stuck inside. Quinn noticed that the door was jammed after he got out of the shower. Without a cell phone to call for help, he started banging on the bathroom door and walls in an attempt to get someone’s attention, but no one was coming to help. Frustrated, he decided to use his bobsledding strength to break through the door. Either Quinn has a lot of muscle or Sochi didn’t construct sturdy enough doors!

Team Great Britain wins medal for the first time on snow

Team Great Britan's Jenny Jones won the bronze medal on Sunday for the women’s snowboard slopestyle event at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park. Jones, 33, didn’t start snowboarding until she was 17 years old. During the new event, she ended her second run with a score of 87.25. She’s the first from Team GB to win a medal on snow. This is a big win for Team GB; in fact, BBC commentators cried after her final run!

Medal count as of Monday morning: top five countries

1. Canada: two gold, two silver, one bronze = five total
2. Norway: two gold, one silver, four bronze = seven total
3. Netherlands: two gold, one silver, one bronze = four total
4. United States: two gold, zero silver, three bronze = five total
5. Germany: two gold, zero silver, zero bronze = two total

To see a full list of the medal count, click here.

What was your favorite moment from the weekend? What event are you most excited about next? Let us know in the comments and then come back tomorrow for another Sochi Scoop recap! 

Three college students have launched a movement to help empower their peers to prevent sexual assault on college campuses nationwide. 

After a recent discussion about their shared experience with sexual assault, Syracuse University students Caroline Heres and Jackie Reilly decided that something needed to be done. Together with their sorority sister Julie Gelb, the girls created "The Girl Code Movement," which aims to "unite college women across the country to become active operatives to stop a rape from happening." 

In November, the group launched a Facebook page that now has almost 7,000 likes. Through the page, the team shares quotes and statistics about sexual assault, as well as ways for college students to stay safe. "“We wanted to do something for women and by women, so that we can create a better relationship among women on campus. We don’t want to see each other as competitors, but instead people who are going to look out for each other," Heres told BuzzFeed.

The girls hope to continue raising awareness and promoting "bystander empowerment" to ultimately make college campuses safer for women everywhere. “The idea is that women can take power by doing things that will preemptively help other women," Reilly explained.

Whoever said Valentine’s Day was just for paired off couples was seriously misguided. As young, fun, and amazingly awesome collegiettes, we definitely do not need a plus one to have a good time. So this V-Day, we’re saying whatever to romance, and hello to celebrating and loving (okay, obsessing) over ourselves—mourning flower shops’ and candy stores’ most treasured day is such a thing of the past. From outfit options and activities to recipes and gifts (for yourself, of course), HC has got you completely covered with a little help from our single girl’s guide to Valentine’s Day. Defy Cupid and make February 14th the best day, ever.

What to wear

Let’s be real, we all love to wear black. It’s timeless and classic and basically goes with everything. And while we’re totally for a great all black outfit, on V-Day it’s just too obvious of a choice. Yeah, you’re flying solo for the Hallmark holiday, but that doesn’t mean you have to literally look like you’re mourning your lack of a plus one with a side of romance. Puh-lease. So instead, spice things up with a splash of color. Studies actually show that wearing bright colors will instantly make you more cheerful and happy. We’re obviously not recommending you walk out in neon green spandex and a bright yellow sweater, but try something a little more festive than your go-to black leggings and chunky gray sweater. Since love is apparently in the air, go for something red, Bordeaux, or dare we say it, hot pink!

Pink Colored Skinnies, $15.80 from Forever 21

Add a burst of color to your V-Day wardrobe with these hot colored jeans. Mix and match them with any color, and throw on your greatest flats or sexiest heels.

Coral Blouse, $34.95 from H&M

It may be winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rock a tank top. Throw on this fitted chiffon blouse with a blazer or leather jacket, and you’ll be perfectly dressed for the big day. Plus, it can be worn to class or on a night out on the town.

Red Blazer, $49 from Urban Outfitters

Who needs a boyfriend when you already have the perfect boyfriend blazer? Shine bright with this jacket and you may find yourself attracting all the boys.

What to do

Just because you’re single, doesn’t mean you’re a leper—round up your unattached girlfriends and have a full-on girls’ day. No rules, no boundaries, no parents: just let loose and have some fun! Nothing says best day ever quite like 24 hours of indulging and pampering yourself, while cracking up and letting off some steam.

Hit the town

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Instead of just sitting at home while all the lovey-dovey couples are out, make your own extravagant plans. Whether it’s a night out at the college bars, happy hour at your favorite restaurant (if you’re 21, of course), or just dinner with friends, don’t exile yourself from the real world. Plus, there’s no one holding you back—you’re free to have an amazing time with no strings attached. But who knows, you may meet a totally gorgeous, single guy doing the same thing as you—talk about serendipity.

Curl up with your celebrity crush

Since no guy is as perfect as our favorite on-screen obsessions, why not cuddle up on the couch with your best friends and have the ultimate eye-candy movie marathon? Ryan and Ryan, George, Leo, Channing, RPatz, and every other Hollywood hunk are seriously calling (screaming) your name, and honestly, it’s a little rude to deny them of the love and attention they deserve. Whether you’re looking for some comedy, some love (or lack thereof), or just an all around fabulous movie, we’ve got you covered:

• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
• She’s the Man
• Crazy, Stupid, Love
• Double Jeopardy
• Wedding Crashers
• Tristan + Isolde
• 500 Days of Summer
• Bridesmaids
• The Hangover
• Blue Valentine
• The Break-Up
• My Bloody Valentine
• Titanic
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Valentine’s Day
• John Tucker Must Die

Visit an animal shelter

Puppy love! Take a trip to the local pound and play around with the pups for an hour… or three. These dogs will be sure to give you more love in a single sitting than any guy ever could. Not to mention, they’re totally adorable and irresistible. Just be careful you don’t fall too far head over heels for a special little guy, since most college dorms and apartment buildings aren’t dog-friendly.

Belt it out

What better way to let out all your feelings than with some karaoke? Spend V-Day busting out your favorite tunes at the top of your lungs. Since Simon Cowell presumably will be absent from your evening, there’s no need to worry about your lack of vocal talent. Get on stage and belt out whatever song is on your mind (we’re thinking “Love is a Battlefield”)—and obviously, bonus points go out for every boy band cover you perform.

What to eat

You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to make yourself an incredible meal. In fact, all of our V-Day recipes are domestically challenged approved (if I can make it, so can you—I once used salt instead of sugar in chocolate chip cookies, if you catch my drift). But more importantly, since this V-Day is now totally about y-o-u, it’s time to indulge in your favorite foods. Quit counting the calories for 24 hours and let your taste buds celebrate. You don’t have to worry about squeezing into any lingerie later that night, so bring on the food baby!

Grilled Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients

• Chicken breast
• Mozzarella cheese, grated —you be the judge with how much you want to sprinkle on, but we recommend at least 1/4th of a cup
• Olive oil, 1 tablespoon
• Parmesan cheese, 1/4th of a cup
• Jar of tomato sauce (unless you know how to make your own, rock on)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Cut your chicken breast in half so that it’s nice and thin.
3. Spray a stove-top pan with Pam and lay the chicken on it to grill at around medium-high heat.
4. Grill until chicken is cooked all the way through (about 5 minutes on each side).
5. Transfer the chicken breasts to an oven safe dish, topping each piece with sauce and as much cheese and you’d like.
6. Cook in the oven until the cheese is fully melted (about 3-5 minutes).
7. Serve it up and eat away!

Single Serving Brownie Cake in a Mug

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons of semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 3 tablespoons of milk
• 1 beaten egg
• ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon of salt

Instructions

1. Mix chocolate chips and butter in a microwave safe bowl and cook on low for 30 seconds (keep cooking for 30 seconds until smooth, stirring in between each round).
2. Add in honey and milk, and stir well.
3. Add in beaten egg, vanilla extract, and salt, and then stir.
4. Slowly pour in flour, mixing it in until it’s fully combined.
5. Spray a large mug with non-stick cooking spray, and gently pour in mixture.
6. Cook on medium in the microwave for three minutes.
7. Let it cool, and then enjoy!

We’re all about the desserts at HC, so feel free to go wild and make as many sweet treats as your heart desires.

What to listen to

If your life is a movie, then you’ll need a killer soundtrack to get you through Valentine’s Day.  So, we obviously have you covered.  Whether you’re looking for something angst-y, mushy, a total rock out, or just something fun to dance around in your underwear to, look no further.

• “Love is a Battlefield” 
• “Hot ‘n Cold” 
• “Love Stinks” 
• “Single Ladies” 
• “Stronger"
• “We are Never, Ever Getting Back Together” 
• “Ridin Solo”
• “Me, Myself, and I” 
• “Dancing On My Own” 
• “Young, Wild, and Free” 
• “Haven’t Met You Yet” 
• “Forget You”
• “Survivor” 
• “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” 
• “Can’t Be Tamed” 

What to gift (yourself!)

Since you don’t have to worry about spending any money on buying something for a boyfriend, and because we’re pampering ourselves beyond belief on V-day, why not splurge a little and treat yourself (or your friends!) to something fab? At least you know it’s money well spent, since you obviously can’t hate your own gift.

Indulge in a spa day

The ultimate pampering present! There’s no denying that after a full body message, you’ll be on cloud nine. Whether you decide to lounge in the steam room, go for the two-hour message, or get a mani/pedi/wax, a day at the spa will be all about you… as it should be, of course.

Send some Edible Arrangements

You seriously don’t need a boyfriend in your life to get some amazing deliveries. Take Cher Horowitz for example, she sent herself goodies all the time—it’s totally normal. So instead of waiting for a surprise order of Edible Arrangements or Hope’s Cookies (my personal favorite) from your parents, take the initiative, and send yourself whatever your favorite snack may be. There’s no such thing as shame, so if you really want them, buy yourself some flowers and call it a day. Or you can be an absolutely incredible BFF, and send some surprise shipments to your friends!

Get a makeover

In my personal opinion, there’s truly nothing better in life than a fresh blowout. But if you’re looking for something more long-term, have your own little shopping spree at Sephora. Buy new, daring makeup and add to your nail polish collection. It’s the perfect way to spend your girls’ day—bring your friends along and later that night, give each other fresh makeovers.

There you have it, collegiettes—you absolute guide to single girl appreciation day! So, what’s next? Simple, start planning! The big day is right around the corner, and you totally don’t want to be left in the dust when there’s so much celebrating to be done!

It’s Valentine’s Week! No matter what your relationship status is, everyone needs a little laugh on Valentine’s Day. Her Campus is here for your V-Day amusement with the 11 best (and funniest) Valentine’s Day pick-up lines.

1. I'm sorry I didn't get you a box of chocolates for Valentine's Day, but if you want something sweet, I'm right here.

2. You’re so sweet, you could put Hershey’s out of business.

3. They can’t fit what I feel for you on a conversation heart.

4. You know what’s on the Valentine’s Day menu? Me-n-u.

5. Did you put Snickers in your valentines? Because you satisfy me.

6. You’re like a Valentine’s candy bar: half sweet and half nuts.

7. This Valentine's Day, let’s make like fabric softener and Snuggle.

8. Cupid called. He says that he needs my heart back. 

9. Do you like cats? Because I’d like you to take meowt for Valentine’s Day.

10. The only sweet I want for Valentine's Day is a cutie pie like you!

11. When I look at you, I see more stars than there are in the movie Valentine's Day.

Are you bold enough to try these out in real life? If so, more power to you, girl! 

One of the easiest ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, whether you have a significant other or not, is to dress the part. Half the fun of V-Day is putting together an outfit that does the day justice; that means it’s time to pull out everything pink and heart-patterned that you have in your wardrobe.  Though this combination (pink and hearts) may seem suited more for middle school than a college campus, that’s not necessarily the case. Here are a few ways to wear V-Day appropriate outfits without looking like you’re headed to the orthodontist to have your braces tightened.

1. KISS! (AKA Keep It Simple, Stupid)

If you’re going to wear hearts, the best advice we can give you is to keep it simple, not overwhelming! One single heart, or a heart pattern in a single color, sends the message that you’re big on celebrating love, but doesn’t make you look like you’re on your way to a junior high dance. We love this sweater and this blouse! 

2. It’s All in the Details

Instead of wearing your heart on your sleeve, try wearing it on your wrist (or ears, or fingers)! Adding heart-shaped accessories, such as earrings or a ring, will add a touch of Valentine’s flair to your outfit without going too, too far. As a bonus, fun heart-shaped jewelry can be worn year-round.

3. Be Full of Surprises

Add Valentine’s Day-inspired prints in unexpected places, like your socks or sunglasses! A quirky addition like these sunglasses will show that you want to celebrate February 14^th, but aren’t taking the holiday too seriously. 

4. Wear Grown-Up Hearts

If you’re not into patterns, what about cutouts? Try spicing up your LBD, or velvet blouse with a heart-shaped cutout. It’s a little sexy, a little sweet, and a whole lot chic.

5. Small Print = Big Love

A printed blouse or skirt can be adorable on Valentine’s Day, as long as you aren’t drowning in hearts. Opt for light fabrics with small prints to look stylish and grown up.

However you choose to dress on Friday, we know you’re going to look great. Tweet or Instagram your V-Day outfits, and be sure to tag @hercampus!

A college party is like a jungle: it’s noisy, crowded and hard to navigate. Beyond that, this environment turns the male species, a phenomenon that is hard enough to understand during the day, into entirely different sort of beasts. Lucky for you, Her Campus has done some field research to classify the various species of boy you’re likely to find at a college party.

1. The King of the House

Defining characteristics: This is the guy who’s hosting the party, but even if he wasn’t running things, he would give off the self-assured aura of collegiate royalty. You can identify him by his preppy attire and easy charm—that is, if you can see him past the swarm of girls trying to get his attention. The King of the House is an athlete and a business major, and he seems to have everything figured out. He knows everyone, and everyone knows him.

Natural habitat: Everywhere. The King of the House likes to migrate so he’s always a part of the action.

What to do if you encounter him: Try not to swoon. Say something friendly and preferably clever. “Hey, have you done the math homework yet?” is a good example of what not to say. So is, “This is my first time at a party!” Try complimenting him or his party. He won’t stay and chat with you for long, but he’ll introduce you to some people and get you talking before he goes on to his next guests.

2. The Guy Who Just Wants to Get Naked

Defining characteristics: He really, really wants to get naked.  He’ll be the one to initiate “shirtless o’clock,” that mythical moment when the guys decide the party absolutely cannot continue until they all have stripped off their shirts. When he inevitably starts showing skin, you’ll probably find that somewhere on his body, someone has drawn a Greek letter with a Sharpie.

Natural habitat: Doing laps around the house after getting shut out of beer pong.

What to do if you encounter him: Do your best to avoid contact. You don’t know where his sweaty skin has been.

3. The Wannabe Hipster

Defining characteristics: He’s above the frat life and wants everyone to know that a friend dragged him here, since he’s usually way above mainstream activities like listening to Kanye West and Miley Cyrus. He’ll wear skinny jeans and tell you he’s from Portland, Oregon. Don’t be fooled, though; if he’s at a typical college party, he’s probably not a true hipster.

Natural habitat: Lurking under a trilby hat, pretending to read Sartre.

What to do if you encounter him: Amuse yourself by asking if he’s heard of different indie musicians. You can just make them up using inspiration from the sights around you: “Two Red Cups,” “The Short Skirts,” “The Guy Who Just Wants to Get Naked.” He’s heard of all of them.

4. The Overenthusiastic Freshman

Defining characteristics:  The Overenthusiastic Freshman has never been to a college party before. You’ll recognize him by his young face: he has wide eyes and a nervous grin. He’ll be wearing a casual button-down shirt and way too much cologne. This party is nothing like the ones he went to in high school, and he’s eager to tell you that he thinks the music and the people here are off the hook.

Natural habitat: Sticking close to a friend from his freshman hall because he Googled “first college party” and read that he should go with a buddy.

What to do if you encounter him: Avoid, avoid, avoid. This guy will spend the night telling you stories about his high school marching band and his tough bio professor, and if you have the misfortune to exchange numbers, he’ll text you every Friday thereafter asking, “where the party at?”

5. The Flirt

Defining characteristics: The Flirt can be recognized by his various methods of seduction. There’s the bad-pick-up-line artist (“Hey baby, this party’s fine but I hear there’s a better one in my pants.”). There’s the guy who just wants to quench your thirst (“Hey baby, can I get you a drink?”). And of course, there’s the smooth talker (“Hey baby, my feelings for you have an even and regular surface with no bumps or indentations.” Oops, wrong type of smooth.).

Natural habitat: Working his way from girl to girl. His motto is, “The more girls you flirt with, the more chances you have of hooking up.”

What to do if you encounter him: It depends on your mood. If you just came here to have a good time with your girls, you can get rid of him by flat-out ignoring him, or perhaps responding to him in a very dry, academic way (he tends to get confused by big words). If you’re interested in him, flirt back… but don’t expect him to call you the next day.

6. The Fraternity Brother

Defining characteristics: If you’re at a frat party these boys will dominate the room. You’ll usually see them in packs, sporting their Greek letters. These guys often consider themselves part of the A-list. As fellow investigator Geraldine, a senior from UC Santa Cruz, says, “The group of guys are usually friends of the host and are just as popular and wanted. They tend to think they’re a little more superior than the house king.” You’ll find them playing beer pong and hitting on girls.

Natural habitat: Near the keg.

What to do if you encounter him: Take this on a case-by-case basis. Through our research, we have found that fraternity brothers are just regular college guys, except they happen to be in a fraternity. However, some fraternities have weird mating expectations, so it’s good to be on your guard. Paula, a junior from Chatham University, describes one particular frat brother to avoid: “He will be the one who will absolutely try to hook up with you for five minutes, and if you don't give it up, he will booty-call someone who appreciates his Beta-Theta-Pi-whatever-else attire he has on for the night, because what is a fratty bro without his one-night stand?”

7. The Enthusiastic Dancer

Defining characteristics: If we had to classify him as either human or dancer, he would most certainly fall under the category of “dancer.” This guy will spend the entire party busting his moves, and he won’t even get sweaty. He didn’t come here to find the love of his life; he came here to be the life of the party.

Natural habitat: The center of the dance floor.

What to do if you encounter him: The Enthusiastic Dancer can come in two flavors—we think of them as Jekyll and Hyde. If you’re lucky, you’ll find The Good Enthusiastic Dancer. No matter how good or bad of a dancer you are, he’ll flip, spin and twirl you around so you look like a pro. If you find one of these, dance it up! However, beware of his evil counterpart—The Thruster. This guy will dance with you as though he wants to impregnate you. If you feel uncomfortable, remember that you’re under no obligation to dance with him… oh, and isn’t that your BFF in the corner waving you over to go over there right now? Easy escape plan.

8. The Guy Who Already Graduated

Defining characteristics: When you see him, you might do a double take—“Wait, does he still go here?” Then you’ll see that he’s proudly sporting his Class of 2013 (or maybe even earlier) T-shirt, and you realize he already graduated. He’ll try to blend in with the other guys, but at some point he’ll start telling stories about people who graduated so long ago nobody’s heard of them. There’ll be an awkward silence as people reflect on how old he is. He’ll break said silence by asking everyone to do shots.

Natural habitat: In the kitchen, mixing drinks. After all, he has more years of experience doing this than everyone else.

What to do if you encounter him: Avoid asking him if he lives with his parents or if he has a job—it’s likely he came to the party to forget about those things. Politely smile and nod when he tells you how great and life-changing college is. Resist the temptation to make a Mean Girls reference and shout, “He doesn’t even go here!”

9. The Boyfriend

Defining characteristics: He came to this party with his girlfriend. He will spend the entire night with his girlfriend. He will leave with his girlfriend. He will probably be wearing a sweater his girlfriend got him for his birthday, and you won’t see him with a beverage until he’s gotten one for his girlfriend. The Boyfriend might be a nice guy, but if you’re not the one dating him, you won’t have much of an opportunity to get to know him.

Natural habitat: Attached to his girlfriend’s hip. You might mistake the couple for a pair of conjoined twins at first.

What to do if you encounter him: If you’ve recently been through a rough breakup, avoid him at all costs. You don’t need someone else’s super-attentive boyfriend flaunted in front of you. However, if you’re ambivalent about other people’s happy relationships, feel free to chat with the couple for a few minutes and then move on. There are more exciting things to do than hear about their adorable anniversary dinner.

10. The Safety Patrol

Defining characteristics: When the party starts, he’ll be friendly and eager to play some board games. As the party picks up, he’ll start to panic over the loud music and the number of intoxicated partygoers. He’ll try to convince you that the party is getting out of hand and is sure to get shut down soon. Note that it is not unusual for The Overenthusiastic Freshman to metamorphose into The Safety Patrol.

Natural habitat: Seated by the window, checking to make sure campus security (or the cops) isn’t on its way.

What to do if you encounter him: Back away slowly. He means well, but you don’t want his conspiracy theories to ruin your fun. Keep him in mind if you need a ride home—even if he wasn’t chosen to be the designated driver, he’s definitely sober.

11. The Good Guy

Defining characteristics: When he comes over for a friendly chat, he’ll look at your face, not your chest. He came to the party to have a good time with his friends and meet some new people, not to get laid. He usually gets stuck taking care of his sloppy friend, but you won’t hear him complain about it. He’s also oftentimes the designated driver. If he had a little to drink, he won’t get behind the wheel, but he’d be happy to walk you home.

Natural habitat: Acting as a buffer between two people in steady relationships (with different people) who look like they want to make out with each other.

What to do if you encounter him: As this is a rare breed, don’t take advantage of him. If he does something nice, like walk you home or makes sure you have a good time, send him a thank-you text the next day.

We hope our guide has prepared you to navigate the wild world of college parties. Just be sure that while you’re investigating these 11 creatures, you don’t turn into a beast yourself—or, should we say, a party animal.

1. You always have a partner in crime…

…who’s also your main competition.

2. He tries to be protective of you…

…and so do his friends.

3. He’s bossy and annoying…

…until he joins the party.

4. He compliments your baking…

…and then eats it all up.

5. He makes you laugh…

…or, at least tries to.

6. You can be crazy in front of him…

...because he already knows you’re nuts.

7. He’ll chill with you on family road trips…

…for as long as he can stand it.

8. You can divide and conquer your parents…

…and weasel your way out of trouble.

9. He gives criticism that’s constructive and subtle...

…sometimes.

10. You and he share the best high fives…

…with or without warning.

11. He’s both your favorite idiot...

…and your wisest friend.

12. And even when you’re not acting like the best of friends…

...he’ll always be family.

If you’re looking for a festive way to cook up some Valentine’s Day fun, look no further! Her Campus has compiled a list of easy recipes for the sweet people in your life. Whether you’re spending the night with the girls or looking to surprise that special someone, we’ve got the yummiest ways to show your love.  

Valentine Heart Kebabs
A sweet and easy snack  

What You’ll Need

• 1 cantaloupe
• 1 honeydew melon
• 1/2 watermelon
• 1 6 ounce container plain low-fat yogurt
• 1 tablespoon frozen orange-juice concentrate, thawed
• 1 tablespoon honey
• heart-shaped cookie cutter

How to Make It

1. Cut fruit into 1-inch-thick slices. Using a small heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut hearts from melon slices. Poke a hole in each heart with a toothpick, going from top to bottom. Then thread fruit on ice-pop sticks.
2. Stir together yogurt, orange juice concentrate, and honey until well combined. Serve with hearts.

Heart in a Basket: Egg & Toast
The cutest (and healthiest) way to start your morning

What You’ll Need

• Slice of bread
• 3 teaspoons butter
• 1 egg
• 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter

How to Make It

1. Using a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, remove the center of a thick slice of bread and toast it. Melt 1 ½ teaspoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat.
2. Place bread slice in skillet and cook until underside if lightly browned. Add another 1 ½ teaspoon butter and flip bread. Fit cookie cutter, coated with cooking spray, in bread’s cutout heart, and crack an egg into cutter.
3. Cover skillet, and cook until egg is set, 2-3 minutes. Use tongs to remove cutter. Serve with toasted heart for dipping into yolk.

Rasmopolitan
For the 21+ crowd, this is the perfect cocktail to celebrate love

What You’ll Need

• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) citrus-flavored vodka
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) raspberry-flavored vodka
• 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) Chambord
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Simple Syrup Simple Syrup
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• Raspberries for decoration

How To Make It

1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add vodkas, Chambord, lime juice, simple syrup, and cranberry juice. Shake or stir until well chilled. Strain into a martini glass.
2. Garnish with raspberries; serve.

Chicken Noodle and Heart Soup
Nothing says “I love you” quite like a big bowl of homemade soup

What You’ll Need

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• three large carrots, cut into hearts (see instructions above)
• 1 medium onion
• 2 celery stalks, sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
• 2 stalks fresh thyme (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 large sage leaves (optional)
• 4 cups low sodium chicken stock (All-Natural Swanson Chicken Broth, or Kitchen Basics Chicken Stock are my favorites.)
• 2-3 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon vinegar
• pinch cayenne pepper (use your own discretion)
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 1/2 pound small pasta, such as farfalle or rotini, cooked for about 1 minute less than the recommended cooking time
• fresh parsley

How to Make The Carrots

1. Peel three large, fat carrots. Then use a paring knife to cut out a notch, all the way down the length of the carrot. Remove the little wedge.
2. Use a potato peeler to gently round off the pointed edges.
3. Flip the carrot over, and shave off wide peels on each side of the bottom of the heart. Keep peeling until the two sides meet in a point.
4. Now all you need to do is cut it into slices. Repeat with the rest of the carrots.

How to Make the Soup

1. In a large pot set over medium-low heat, combine olive oil, carrot hearts, diced onion, celery, thyme (both kinds), bay leaf, and sage. Sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt. Cook until tender, stirring occasionally (about 10 minutes).
2. Add in stock, a cup of water, and vinegar. Add in cayenne pepper, and bring to a boil. After about 20 minutes, check the soup for flavor, and add more water, salt and pepper, as necessary.
3. In each individual bowl, place the desired amount of chicken and pasta, cover with a ladle of the soup, and top with parsley.

Homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows
The perfect treat if you’re spending a cozy night in

What You’ll Need

• 3 packets unflavored gelatin
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 vanilla bean (seeded)

How To Make It

1. Pour 1/2 cup of water into a small bowl. Sprinkle the packages of gelatin over the water. Give it a whisk. Let the mixture sit while you make the sugar syrup.
2. Combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, do not stir this mixture.
3. Once the sugar dissolves, raise the heat to medium-high and cook until a candy thermometer reaches 240 degrees.
4. Put the gelatin mixture and the scraped vanilla seeds into the bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk attachment.
5. Slowly pour the sugar mixture into the mixer while on low speed.
6. Whip on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes. It will have gained volume and turned bright white. Add the vanilla.
7. This is the most important thing to remember, dust the bottom of a 9×13 pan with powdered sugar. Be very generous with the sugar, or you will never get the marshmallow out of the pan. Trust me on this one.
8. Pour the marshmallow out and smooth.
9. Let the pan sit out, uncovered overnight.
10. The next day, cut out using a sharp knife, or cookie cutters.
11. Dip the cookie cutters into powdered sugar so that you can get them out. Also, dust the marshmallows again (especially the sides) so they do not stick together.

Pizza Made With Love
Make this special pizza for the amore in your life

What You’ll Need

• 1 prepared pizza dough
• favorite sauce
• fresh mozzarella cheese, drained and sliced
• freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• favorite toppings

How To Make it

1. Preheat oven and a pizza stone to 550 degrees for at least one hour. Have dough in a lightly greased bowl covered with a towel while oven is preheating.
2. Place pizza dough on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper.
3. Stretch dough into a heart shape. Trim with a knife as needed.
4. Spread sauce over dough and top with favorite cheese and toppings.
5. Use a cookie cutter to punch a heart shape out of a red bell pepper.
6. Transfer pizza and parchment (will help keep the heart shape) to the hot pizza stone.
7. Cook 8-10 minutes or until crust is brown and cheese is bubbly.

Conversation Heart Cookies
Get the conversation flowing with these perfect party favors

Note: you’ll need to make the icing before the hearts

What You’ll Need to Make Royal Icing

• 2 pounds confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 10 tablespoons meringue powder
• 1 cup water

How To Make Royal Icing

1. Combine confectioners' sugar and meringue powder in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
2. Mix on low speed until combined, about 1 minute.  With mixer on low, gradually add water. 
3. Mix on low until smooth and the consistency of thick honey, about 5 minutes. Do not overbeat.
4. If icing is too thick, add more water, a little at a time, beating to desired consistency. If icing is too thin, continue mixing for 2 to 3 minutes more.
5. Icing will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 1 week. (Stir with a rubber spatula before using.)

What You’ll Need to Make Conversation Hearts

• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus more for surface                                                                                
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder                                                                                                          
• 1/4 teaspoon salt                                                                                                                        
• 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened                                                                                    
• 1 cup sugar                                                                                                                                    
• 1 large egg                                                                                                                                     
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Royal Icing                                                                                                                                
• Gel-paste food coloring (such as leaf green, lemon yellow, peach, red, rose, and violet)

How To Make Conversation Hearts

1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
2. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy.
3. With mixer running, add egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low.
4. Add flour mixture gradually, beating until just incorporated.
5. Divide dough in half; flatten each half into a disk, and wrap each in plastic.
6. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour (or overnight).
7. Preheat oven to 325 degrees with racks in top third and lower third.
8. Let 1 disk of dough stand at room temperature just until soft enough to roll, about 10 minutes.
9. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to just under 1/4-inch thickness, adding more flour as needed to keep dough from sticking.
10. Cut out cookies with a 2-inch heart cutter, and place them 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
11. Roll out scraps once, and repeat.
12. Repeat with remaining disk of dough.
13. Freeze cookies until very firm, about 15 minutes.
14. Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through and switching from top to bottom, until edges turn golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes.
15. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies will keep, covered, for up to 1 week.
16. Divide royal icing into 1/2-cup portions in small bowls.
17. Tint each with a different gel paste food coloring, starting with just a drop, mixing well, and adding more, drop by drop, to reach desired shade.
18. Transfer 1 bowl of icing to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/8-inch round plain tip. Pipe the outline around edge of each cookie, then fill in with frosting. Poke air bubbles with a toothpick.
19. Transfer decorated cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and let stand uncovered overnight until dry.
20. Arrange stamp letters to create desired phrases. (LUV U, UR A QT, BFF, LYLAS, B MINE, HCXO) Fold a paper towel into quarters.
21. Squeeze a small amount of red gel-paste food coloring onto a paper towel, and press stamp in coloring. (You may need to blot stamp a few times on a clean paper towel if coloring is too thick.)
22. Lightly press stamp on top of icing in center of each cookie.
23. Let stand until dry, about 30 minutes.
24. Stamped cookies will keep, covered, for up to 3 days.

Champagne Fondue
A perfect addition to a romantic night in

What You’ll Need

• 1 1/4 cups Champagne or sparkling wine
• 1 large shallot, minced
• 8 oz. cream cheese, cut into cubes
• 2 1/2 cups grated Gruyere cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 Tbsp. all purpose flour
• pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• pinch ground white pepper

How To Make It

1. Toss the grated gruyere cheese with the flour and set aside.  In a large saucepan heat the champagne and the shallots until the mixture boils.
2. Reduce heat to medium and add the cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese is almost completely melted.
3. Add approximately 1/2 cup of the gruyere cheese and continue to stir until the gruyere is almost melted. Continue adding the gruyere in 1/2 cup portions until all the gruyere has been added. The fondue may look lumpy but not to worry, it will become smooth as the cheeses melt.
4. Add the parmesan and the nutmeg and continue to stir. Increase the heat to high and continue to stir until the mixture slowly bubbles.
5. Continue to cook until the fondue is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon about 3 – 4 minutes. Season to taste with the pepper and serve!

Preparing for college doesn’t just include buying cute dorm decorations, figuring out your financial aid situation and saying goodbye to loved ones. You also need to prepare academically! For many collegiettes, it can be nerve-wracking walking into that first college class in the fall, unsure of what to expect. That’s why some collegiettes opt to take a summer class at their future colleges before freshman year.

Have you been considering taking a summer class? Ever wondered what the pros and cons are? Her Campus is here to help!

Are you eligible to take a summer class?

Most colleges offer some sort of summer session to students, allowing them to take an extra class or two while living on campus for a month or two. Some schools make it mandatory for students to enroll in at least one summer session during their time at that college, and other schools make it an optional addition for students who want to pick up extra credits.

As soon as you know where you’re attending college, be sure check out your school’s “Summer Session” page (typically found under “Academics” or “Academic Resources” on the school website, but a Google Search will do the trick!) to find out which classes are offered and if the session is mandatory.

Typically, summer sessions are four to eight weeks long, depending on the number of courses you’re taking and the rigor of the program. Different schools have different requirements for how many classes you should take during your time on campus in the summer, but typically it’s one or two. Additionally, different schools have different purposes for their summer sessions and therefore different policies about which courses you should take, so it would be wise to talk to an administrator or current students about why you’re taking summer session classes in the first place.

Also, if there’s a summer session open to incoming freshmen, your future school will probably send you some more information via email or snail mail, so be on the lookout!

Pros of taking a summer class

They help you explore your interests

Trying to pick a major is one of the most anxiety-filled decisions for collegiettes. The pressure is multiplied if your college makes you choose your major upon entering freshman year. After all, you don’t want to make the wrong choice and spend the rest of your college career trying to make up the credits you missed!

Taking a summer class can be a great way to explore your interests before you arrive at school. Not sure if you want to spend four years pursuing pre-med requirements? Try taking one or two of them over the summer.

Megan Lucas, a junior at Wesleyan University, found herself in this predicament before starting college. “I was really interested in going the pre-med route, but didn’t want to waste my first semester taking all of these science and math classes only to find that I didn’t even like the subject matter,” she says.

Taking summer classes in chemistry and calculus paid off for Megan; it turns out going pre-med wasn’t the right choice for her. “I think a lot of freshmen go into school and don’t truly know where their academic interests lie,” she says. “The great thing about the summer classes I took were that I was able to say without a doubt that I wasn’t interested in pre-med, so while other friends of mine were slowly (and painfully) making that same realization during their first semester of college, I got to move on and take classes I might actually enjoy.” Instead of focusing on her math and science classes when she got to Wesleyan, Megan took several humanities and social science classes and is now majoring in government.

You can understand the rigor of college-level academics

Megan said a second bonus of taking a summer class before her freshman year of college was getting used to the more demanding nature of college classes. “My summer calculus course covered everything I learned during my entire senior year of calculus in one class!” she says. “The pace was so much faster than it had been in high school, and it took some time getting used to utilizing office hours and TA sessions.” Megan thinks that summer classes gave her valuable time to adjust.

Megan also felt more confident when the fall semester came around for school. “Starting college is already overwhelming between learning the layout of a new campus, dealing with a roommate and making friends; adding academics into the mix can make the whole situation seem impossible to handle,” she says. “I’m so glad I had the opportunity to understand how to properly study for tests and write papers before I headed into my first class at Wesleyan. It made me entire transition a whole lot easier.”

If you’re worried that the rigor of your college classes might be much harder than that of your high school classes, a summer course might be a great way to ease yourself into a college course load.

You get a feel for the campus

If your college offers a summer session to incoming freshmen, taking a class is a great opportunity to settle into campus before your entire class shows up in the fall.

Julie Lynn, a freshman at Florida State University, took a course this past summer before starting off her college career, and she found it helpful. “I had a great time getting to meet classmates, understand the academics and find my way around school!” she says. “I felt way more comfortable when the fall semester rolled around, and I wasn’t frantically running across campus trying to figure out where I was going.”

Another added bonus of being on campus early? You’ll be the cool freshman in the fall who already knows her way around!

Cons of taking a summer class

You might get burnt out

You worked your butt off all throughout high school getting good grades, juggling an impressive list of extracurriculars and still maintaining your social life. You’re ready for a break! While taking a summer class might seem like a great idea, it can also cause even more stress before your college career ever begins. You won’t have a full three months off between high school and college; instead, you may only have a couple of weeks at most.

Grace*, a sophomore at the University of Florida, took classes during her school’s summer session before she started college and she felt that it made her mentally exhausted before the actual school year began. “I had worked so hard in high school and thought I was getting ahead by taking more classes before school,” she says. “However, even though the workload seemed relatively easy, I felt super burnt out the entire time and really should have taken the summer before college to relax.”

Because she felt so exhausted, Grace ended up missing out on other parts of college life. “I spent most of my free time [during the summer] sleeping or watching movies in my [dorm] room instead of socializing,” she recalls. “If anything, taking those two summer classes actually made me feel even more overwhelmed at the beginning of the fall semester since I hadn’t really taken the time to [get to] know anyone.”

Are you unsure whether or not you’ll feel burnt out from taking a summer class? Grace recommends getting an outside opinion. “Before I took my summer class, both of my parents hinted that they thought I’d be extremely exhausted after not taking a break between college and high school, and I didn’t listen to them,” she says. “I wish I’d taken their concerns into greater consideration! It would’ve saved me a lot of time and energy.” Before signing up for summer classes, talk to people you trust and ask them to be honest about whether or not they think you’d be okay taking a class between high school and college.

Your credits might not transfer

If you’re considering taking a summer class at a college other than the one you’ll be attending in the fall, be sure to check whether or not your credits will transfer!

When Megan was deciding where to take her summer classes, there were several community colleges and public universities in her area that taught the chemistry and calculus classes she was looking for. However, Wesleyan would only accept credits from a particular college in her area. “I was so glad I checked out how the credits would transfer from those classes before I took them,” Megan says. “Even though I didn’t end up using those science and math credits for my majors or pre-med requirements, they went towards my general education credits for graduation, which meant I wouldn’t have to worry about taking a math or science class during my first two years at Wesleyan.”

If the reason you’re taking a summer class is to have the credits count towards graduation, Megan highly recommends checking with both your college and the school where you’re taking the course well in advance. “I would also encourage anyone looking at taking a course before freshman year to actually talk to someone on the phone about the class as opposed to just doing a web search,” she says. “I had a friend who checked Wesleyan’s website quickly before signing up for a class at a community college only to find out later on that the guidelines on the website were misleading and the credits for her summer class didn’t count.” Ouch!

Even if it may seem like a hassle to call up both institutions, it’ll save you the trouble and frustration later on of finding out that the class you worked so hard in won’t help you get any closer to your diploma.

It could cost you more money

Depending on your college and the type of program you take at that particular school, money may become an issue when you try to enroll in a summer class. Even if the summer class itself is covered by your financial aid package, your room and board might not be.

Julie urges collegiettes to find out if their financial aid and scholarships cover summer programs way before the summer starts. “Many scholarships and grants only cover school-year expenses for your fall and spring semesters, leaving out the summer,” she says. “Make sure you talk to your financial aid contact at your school as early as February or March, if you already know where you’re going to college, as well as any scholarship contacts to make sure that you’re getting the money you need.”

Taking a summer class before freshman year is a great way to get some pesky academic requirements out of the way, get a feel for campus and explore various interests. Make sure you do your research beforehand and gauge your willingness to study over the summer, and you’ll have a great time!

*Name has been changed.