By the time you are a junior in college, one thing is for sure –– you have matured a lot since freshman year. As your time as a college student gets shorter (and life gets more real), sometimes you can’t help but reflect back on everything you have experienced thus far. Read below for the life lessons you’ll definitely learn by the time you’re a junior.

1. It’s less about quantity and more about quality

As your time in college progresses, you become more and more aware that what's important is not how many friends you have, but the quality of the friends you have. By the time you are a junior, you realize how truly amazing your little clique is and how lucky you are to have found them.

2. Good friends are rare, so hold onto them 

By this point in time, you have lost a few more friends than you would probably like to admit. So, you know how truly special it is to have the ones that stick by you through the good times and bad. It is hard to find people who accept you 100 percent for who you are and will support you no matter what. For this, you are forever grateful. 

3. Everyone is going through something

You've learned how to put your problems into perspective. Everyone is going through something, even some of the best people you know.

4. You have to work for what you want

As a teenager, you just kind of, well, expected everything to magically work itself out. Now, you are aware that hard work is what will make your dreams come true –– nothing will be handed to you.

5. Nobody is really sure what they’re doing

At least you can sleep at night knowing that everyone's basically on the same page.

Related: 18 Things You Still Don't Understand About College

6. And nobody is going to do things for you

By this point, you have learned how to become an independent boss lady who won't let anyone stand in her way. 

7. Everything mom told you was right

We've all been there –– the adolescent days of telling mom, "You just don't get it!" It's funny, because at the time it felt so true. However, you have come to learn that everything mom ever told you about life was, honestly, on point! 

8. You probably won’t end up where you thought you’d be

You aren't exactly where you planned to be five years ago… 

9. But you’ll end up exactly where you’re supposed to be

…yet, somehow, you feel like you're in the right exact place.

10. The ability to forgive is so important

Over the past three years, you have come to realize that people mess up sometimes –– yourself included.  The ability to hear someone out and forgive him for his error is so crucial.

11. You can love someone, but you can’t change them

This is something you've had to learn the hard way.

12. And sometimes, you have to let them go

When someone is causing more pain than happiness, it is time to set them free.

13. Some people will never get their priorities straight

Though perhaps what is a priority to you simply isn't a priority to them. 

14. You don’t have to accept things you are not okay with

You now know the meaning of the word "no" and have the confidence to say it sternly when necessary.

15. It’s okay (and sometimes necessary) to put yourself first

No matter how much you love your friends or SO, you have learned to put your happiness first –– at the end of the day, you are your first priority and it's okay to be selfish at times. 

16. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak –– it makes you wise

You have come to learn that the best way to get answers is to ask questions, and it is not something to be embarassed about. 

17. Friends who tear you down aren’t "friends" at all

You've learned the hard way: if a person doesn't have your best interests at heart, they probably should not be in your life.

18. People will take advantage of you if you let them

There are some bad people in this world, and you understand that they are sometimes disguised as the good guys. You know to be on guard with anyone who appears to have a hidden motive.

19. The scariest things are usually the worthwhile things 

Some of the most rewarding things you've done over the past two-and-a-half years are the things you swore you'd never do or didn't know you had the courage to do.

20. You can do far more than people think you are capable of

21. You won’t remember the nights you sat in and studied

Sometimes, you just have to neglect your responsibilities and go have fun! You may regret it in the morning, but you won't regret it a year down the road.

22. Take pictures –– and lots of them

You absolutely cherish your pictures from high school. Seriously, you wish you took more. You won't make this mistake in college.

23. Love is a two-way street

You'll never forget your first real heartbreak, but it taught you so much about love. Most importantly, it taught you that it takes both love and commitment to make a relationship work.

24. Beauty is skin-deep

No matter what the Hollywood standard is, you are well-aware that some of the most beautiful human beings in the world are that way simply because of who they are on the inside. Superficial crap is a thing of the past!

25. You’re going to feel lonely sometimes

No matter how loved you are or how old you are, you know that those days will come where you just feel alone. 

26. But someone always has your back

Luckily, though, you also know that those lonely days won't last–– not with your best friends by your side!

27. Listen to your gut feelings

Instincts don't lie. This is something that time has proven to you again and again. If you feel weird about something, there is probably a reason for it.

28. Moments and memories are more important than material things

You know that what will mean the most down the road has nothing to do with the material possessions you owned but with the memories you made with the people you love. 

29. Holding in your feelings will only hurt you more

Bottling everything up is never a good idea. You have seen the good, the bad and the ugly in people, and you have learned that most meltdowns occur from an individual's inability to express how they are feeling.

30. Do things while you have the chance

You understand life is short. It is better to embrace every moment and say how you feel when you feel it.

31. Stay true to yourself

Selfies. We’re almost all guilty of at one time or another taking one. Whether it be to send an ugly face to your sister, an outfit to your BFF or to get the whole group in one photo to be shared on social media—we’ve pretty much all been there.

However, our selfie-obsessed culture has at times has gone too far (anyone remember Selfies at Funerals?) and it has ended up creating a bit of a love/hate relationship with selfies. So we asked 30 college women what they think of selfies, to see if millennials are as obsessed with selfies as we’re made out to be.

“I am a huge endorser of the selfie! In a world where there are so many critiques of women, the selfie is one way we can stand up and say ‘I am beautiful no matter the stereotype.’ It is a self empowering movement for our generation and hopefully for those to come as well!”

-Taylor, University of Cincinnati Class of 2016

“I almost never take selfies. Mainly because it takes so much time and effort to take one that I really like and then even if it is a 'good' selfie I feel so self conscience about posting it. Other people look at your likes vs. time ratio, and judge everything about that selfie and it's just not worth the stress. My self-worth is not measured by the amount of likes that my Instagram post has. I think that the selfie culture is seriously affecting people in a negative way. Overall, I really don't like it.”

-Sara, Xavier University Class of 2019

“I only take them when using Snapchat, generally, or when capturing a moment with a friend. Usually, I refer to any photographs I take of myself as "self portraits" because of the time I take to set them up (I like photography! I do not take self portraits often). 'Selfie-culture' is not necessarily a bad thing, in my opinion, but I think that anything that causes us to fixate on our own appearance can lead to an unhealthy fixation that could make us place more value on one's appearance than is necessary. However, a little self-love and documentation doesn't need to be harmful.”

-Kaitlyn, University of British Columbia Class of 2016

“I take them occasionally, but I never really post them. I don't really like when it goes up for everyone to see. It's like you're saying , ‘Hey, I think I'm hot! And here's proof!’”

-Alyssa, University of Pittsburgh Class of 2019

“I take selfies all the time and I love them! Honestly I think they are the only photos I take where I always look good because I'm in control so there are no awkward angles or bad lighting."

-Christina, Siena College Class of 2019

“I think selfies are great because if you feel pretty, you should absolutely be allowed to document it. However, I think selfies become problematic when girls have expectations of the results. A lot of people use so many filters and photo editing apps that the end product they share on social media is completely different than the original photo. If you compare an unedited selfie you took to one a celebrity posted on Instagram, you're not going to be happy.”

-Camille, Tulane University Class of 2017

“Of course I take selfies! But taking them and posting them are two different things. Like all things, I think selfies are okay in moderation. When looking at a girl's Instagram, the more frequent the selfies, the further back my eyes roll. Once in a while when you're feelin’ yourself is fine, but a daily reminder of what you look like up-close-and-personal is a little much.”

-Ray, Duke University Class of 2019

RELATED:  The 13 Best Selfies Ever Taken Taken

“I take selfies for Snapchat! I always make weird faces and send the grossest pictures to my closest friends. I have only posted two selfies on Instagram, and they do get you more likes than most pictures. I think girls today are obsessed with social media and getting likes and selfies are an easy way to get them.”

-Lindsay, Fairfield University Class of 2018

“I am a Snapchat-selfie only kind of girl. I don't hate them…I'm just not a huge fan. I envy the girls that can take selfies and look beautiful and post them and get 102320 likes. I can honestly say I've never taken a selfie, even on Snapchat, that I thought was attractive. I think there is a fine line between selfies and too many selfies but maybe that's my jealousy coming through. I do think it's ridiculous that 9 year olds are putting on layers and layers of makeup, taking selfies and posting them on social media sites hoping for likes and comments. That is doing nothing for their self esteem.”

-Alyssa, St. Ambrose University Class of 2017

“I love taking selfies! I love looking back at a picture and seeing how happy I was or how good I looked! It's a very nice confidence booster for whenever I am feeling down. I don't appreciate the bashing of selfies or girls (and guys) who take them. It's not your life, so why do you care what I am doing on my phone and with my social media? I don't post a lot of selfies, but I love to see everyone else's pictures and it's their right to put it up there.”

-Alani, Northwestern University Class of 2018

“I took them a lot when I was younger and used editing tools before most people had Instagram and Twitter filters. I love them and post a lot of them now because they make me feel good about myself, and I like to show off when I look and feel good. I was even given the superlative, 'Selfie Queen,' in my sorority!”

-Brooklynn, Ohio University Class of 2017

“The photo album on my phone is probably 50% selfies. I have no shame in taking selfies. How else do I document the days when I actually bother to look like a human being? I think the problem is with the word itself. Prior to the word "selfie," self-photos existed and they were much less stigmatized.”

-Trisha, University of British Columbia Class of 2016

“My entire dorm room is covered by hundreds of selfies I've taken with my friends, celebs, parents, you name it and I have a selfie for it! While they make great decorations and reminders of countless memories, I've come to realize they make you miss out on the now, just so you can have a memory on paper. Rather than watching your favorite artist perform, you're snapping selfies of you having a good time to post on social media. Instead of interacting with the friends around you, you're worried about perfect angles and lighting so you can send a selfie to that cute boy you met at a party. I really, really love the good times that selfies remind me of, but they make me wonder about the good times I missed out on.”

-Lexi, Univeristy of Connecticut Class of 2018

“Personally, I don't usually take a lot of selfies. But that's mainly because I often feel judged when I do. People seem to really hate selfies. I don't see anything wrong with them though. They're not tearing apart the fabric of society; it's just a nice way to share a part of your day with friends. If you're feeling your look and want to save it for posterity, then go for it! In the future, you may or may not regret taking as many selfies as you do, but I can tell you if my grandmother had been taking selfies when she was my age, I'd be really excited to see them.”

-Hannah, Framingham State University Class of 2017

“I take selfies all the time. However, I don't post them continuously on social media like some people...that’s a bit narcissistic if you ask me.”

-Angela, Savannah College of Art & Design Class of 2016

RELATED: Are Selfies More Dangerous Than Sharks?

"I don't love them or hate them; I'd say I'm pretty neutral. I am not a fan of selfie culture as a whole, since I think it encourages us to give in to our own egos too much. With selfie sticks in particular, it takes away human connection because now we don't have to ask strangers to take photos of our squads; it's another way we're becoming distant from other people.”

-Jen, Messiah College Class of 2016

“I take them on occasion, more often with friends than by myself, but I definitely think that ‘selfie-culture’ has become way too excessive. Sure, they're harmless, but frankly speaking, people who take way too many and who take them just about anywhere look a bit stupid.”

-Joanne, New York University Class of 2018

“I hate that there's a stigma around taking a photo of yourself. My personal reason why I do it and enjoy doing it is because I like to be in control of my pictures and how they turn out. I've had body image issues in the past and I learned that if I'm in control of the picture, it helps me avoid hating on myself once I look at the picture later.”

-Rebekah, University of Houston Class of 2016

“I have a love-hate relationship with selfies and the ‘selfie-culture’ that has developed among young people in recent years... on the one hand, it's good that a selfie is confidence-boosting and fun to take, but on the other hand, selfies create a culture of excessive self-indulgence. The whole thing has become more about how hot you can look in a single shot, as opposed to boosting your overall self-esteem. But overall? They're great. A good selfie is priceless and absolutely necessary on all occasions.”

-Britt, University of Michigan Class of 2017

“Why take a selfie and see only yourself when you have the opportunity to see all the beautiful things around you? The nature, the people, the everything. We look in mirrors so incredibly often, it's time to turn our cameras outward.”

-Haleigh, Lasell College Class of 2017

“With Snapchat being my #2 main form of communication I'm taking selfies almost every day. I used to get really embarrassed about it. As someone who has and still does suffer from some serious body image and self confidence problems, it's sometimes really awful for me having to see my own face on the screen. But selfie culture has helped me start to turn that around and embrace the weird expressions, double chins, and good angles that go into taking all kinds of selfies. They're silly and fun and promote body and self-positivity, and I'm all for that.”

-Annie, Kenyon College Class of 2018

“I never take selfies and probably never will, but I don't hate them. I only subscribe to selfie culture that is humor-infused.”

­-Katie, University of Massachusetts Amherst Class of 2017

RELATED: The 11 Most Important Selfies Ever Taken

“I feel like they are very vain. People in my generation are so obsessed with constantly taking pictures of themselves. It is ridiculous. They waste so much time. I feel like wanting to see your face that much and wanting the world to like or comment on it is very self-centered.”

-Sierra, Case Western Reserve University Class of 2019

“I don't take selfies because I do not understand why I would want to constantly post pictures of myself on social media or just to have take up space on my phone. However, I do take real unattractive pictures of myself on other peoples phones when they are laying around so they can bask in all my glory whenever they please.”

-Samantha, University of New Haven Class of 2018

“I love taking selfies and, as a media major with a focus in visual culture, I can't help but look at them from an academic perspective. I think that selfies are great and even empowering because for decades it was so rare to have the opportunity to define and frame your personal image within the media unless you held a position of power and were likely a straight, white, cisgender male. Now the power to present yourself as you wish to be seen is (quite literally) in your hands. For women specifically this is very significant because throughout art history (and more recently, cinema history) women have been treated as something to be seen, not as people with agency, and this is a trend that seeps into our interactions with one another. The selfie also isn't anything new and I'm tired of it being treated as such. Human beings are fascinated with their own image and becoming acquainted to it helps us form a sense of ourselves at a very base level. Translation: selfies make us more confident. Besides, human beings have been doing it for decades—think of artists painting self-portraits! No one is going to decry a self-portrait by Kahlo or Van Gogh as being vain. A particular self-portrait I find interesting is Autoportrait by Jeanne Hébuterne in 1917. Although it was painted nearly a century ago, this painting legit looks like it was taken with a front camera because of the angle that the artist painted from.”

-Hannah, New York University Class of 2019

“I take selfies frequently, and my friends often tease me because I prefer to take them from a high angle. I try not to take them in inappropriate places, such as during dinner or a conversation, or in class. I'm definitely guilty of the cliché bathroom mirror selfies though. The only thing I have a problem with is selfie sticks. I believe if you want a picture from that distance you should just ask someone to take it for you. They're an example of our inability to trust or talk to other people.”

-Rebecca, University of Maryland Class of 2017

“Anyone in the millennial generation is lying if they say they haven't taken a selfie. We just do that sort of thing. Do I hate it? Yes. Why do I need a picture of just myself in front of something? Why can't I just take a picture of that something? Why do I have to be in the picture? To remember that I was there? No. Obviously if I have the picture of the something I was there. Pictures are great; selfies are annoying.”

-Lauren, St. Ambrose University Class of 2016

“I was never really into taking pictures of myself because I rarely end up with one that I love but as my involvement on my college campus grows I feel the need to take more selfies — alone or with friends — because they're a way of showing that I was here — at an awesome football game, at a formal, at something cool happening in NYC, and so on. Looking back to when I was an adolescent I wish I had taken more pictures of myself to document fun events. I don't want to be 30 and have close to no photographs of my college experience. I know some people are judging so hard when they see college girls huddled in a group taking selfies but I say props to those selfie-taking college students! This is our time to make some of the best memories of our lives and who is society to judge us for documenting those memories?

­-Jasmin, Stony Brook University Class of 2018

I have never taken a selfie and have mixed feelings about them. I feel like they work to promote self-confidence and body-positive attitudes, but I think they also promote narcissism and can detract from living in the moment.

-Kaitlin, Chatham University Class of 2019

It is good practice to take good pictures. When you work with your angles, then you figure out what looks best for you. We practice everything else (sports, writing, reading, etc.), why not practice taking a good picture of yourself?! Throughout all of our lives, there are thousands of opportunities that come up for personal or professional reasons that you want to feel good about how you looked in a photo... I see no reason that it is wrong to practice such a skill.

-Nicole, Winona State University Class of 2016

We’re all told that the key to a successful college experience is to get out there: Join a club, make new friends and spend time getting to know other people you would have never met otherwise. While it’s awesome to broaden your horizons, sometimes it’s really useful to be alone.

It can be scary to be alone if you’re not used to it, but spending time by yourself can help you discover new parts of yourself, allow you time to relax and help you be happier. Being alone also means you can order the exact combo of toppings you want on your pizza!

Dr. Bella DePaulo, a social scientist with a Ph.D. from Harvard and the author of Singled Out: How Singles Are Stereotyped, Stigmatized, and Ignored, and Still Live Happily Ever After, says that spending some time alone can be “both a freedom from constraints and a positive freedom to do what you want and let your thoughts wander.”

Although Netflix is a great solo-person pastime, here are some more thoughtful and engaging ways to spend time alone and get to know yourself better.

1. Take a nature walk

Immersing yourself in nature is a great way to spend some time alone. Try picking a place you don’t spend a lot of time in, such as a park in a different town or a nature preserve, and walk around.

DePaulo says, “Having other people around – even wonderful other people – can sap some of your cognitive and emotional resources.” By taking some time to be alone and appreciate nature, you’ll be able to focus all of your mental resources on your thoughts and appreciating the beautiful environment around you.

“Antarctic researchers, who have chosen a pursuit that requires spending a lot of time alone, score especially high on a scale measuring ‘absorption,’” DePaulo says. “The scale assesses enjoyment of experiences such as watching clouds in the sky.”

Try upping your score on the absorption scale by taking a walk in nature by yourself, and you just might find that you appreciate the little things even more. You can find a great park near you by using the National Park Service’s Find A Park guide. Don’t forget a water bottle!

2. Treat yourself to lunch

It’s okay to eat alone without a book or your iPhone to keep you company. Sometimes it’s nice to just take some time to be alone with your thoughts.

Whether it’s at a dining hall, an on-campus eatery or a nice restaurant, take yourself out to lunch. Eating alone is a great way to truly appreciate some good food, and maybe you’ll find a new favorite coffee joint instead of the always-crowded Starbucks.

3. Read a book

Reading a book is a great way to spend some time alone while entertaining your brain. Samantha*, a University of Miami sophomore, says, “Reading books is my favorite thing to do alone. I can really focus on the story when I am by myself.”

Most college libraries have a recreational reading section. If you can’t find it, just ask someone at the front desk or a librarian. Read a book about a place you’ve never been before, and it will almost be like you’re there!

If you’re interested in books featuring female characters that are written by women, try The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood or Sula by Toni Morrison.

4. Learn a new skill

Take some time alone to learn a new skill or expand your knowledge on a topic. By being alone, you can thoroughly practice your skill, whether it ends up being rafting, knitting or roller-skating.

Even better, try taking an instructional or fitness class by yourself. If there was ever a time you begged your friends to go to a class with you but they all said no, don’t let that stop you! Although it may be scary to walk in that room alone, the benefits you will get from doing what you wanted will be wonderful once you realize that being on your own is just fine.

DePaulo says, “It is ironic, in a way, that our society disparages people who value time alone, since we are also a society that celebrates rugged individualism and getting in touch with our true selves.”

While it may be scary initially to go to a class by yourself, try to get in touch with your true self, as DePaulo would encourage, and enjoy learning something new!

5. Express your creativity

Being alone often enhances the creative process. Having space to express yourself while focusing on your work can be relaxing—and maybe provide something you can use to decorate your dorm room!

Try drawing or painting a picture, writing a poem or even sculpting (it can be with Play-Doh!) while you’re spending time alone. DePaulo says, “There is so much to be gained by spending time on your own – more creativity, more self-insight, more attunement with your surroundings… to name just a few possibilities.” All of these benefits of being alone can help your true self to shine through in your art.

It’s all right if you aren’t much of an artist; it’s the process of being creative that matters. One easy project you could do is to make a dream board with pictures of all the great accomplishments and adventures you want to experience during college.

If you’re looking for more ideas, check out our DIY section!

There are so many benefits to spending some time alone. The next time you have a few moments to yourself, relax and have some “you time” by doing some of these activities.

*Name has been changed.

In a recent Twitter takeover for iHeart Radio, Ed Sheeran was asked questions sent in by his fans from around the world, and one of them really stuck with us. 

Fans wanted to know what his favorite Taylor Swift song is—and we have to say, this is probably the best question anybody has ever come up with for the Brit. Maybe he's just like us and does karaoke to "Shake It Off," or perhaps "Wildest Dreams" is his guilty pleasure? Turns out, his top Swift jam isn't even from her chart-topping album 1989.

No, his #1 is a major throwback, a single from Taylor's third studio album, Speak Now, which was released all the way back in 2010: "Enchanted."

And his favorite song from the album? He reveals that for him, it has to be “Enchanted.”

This song was released before Taylor had fully transitioned into the pop genre and was still experimenting with trying to create a hybrid of sounds from both country and pop. While we will always love her songs no matter what, it is still nice to be reminded of where she came from and where she is now in her career.

We all know by now that the early bird gets the worm, but let’s be honest – the early bird clearly doesn’t value the relationship it has with its bed. Sure, we like the idea of being able to jump out of bed in the morning and make it to our 8 a.m. classes without even needing to think about touching the snooze button, but for some of us, that’s a little easier said than done. It takes a special type of person to wake up in the morning with ease, which is why we’re here to give you a few tips on how trick yourself into becoming a morning person. 

1. Make a routine

Establishing a regular sleep routine can help your body better understand when it’s time for you to sleep and when it’s time for you to get up.  As college students, the recommended amount of sleep for us is around seven to eight hours a night so, for your sake, create a routine or a sleep schedule that you can stay consistent with in order to wake up prepared and ready to take on the day.

2. Turn off your electronics

Nowadays, going to bed means spending a few extra hours staring at our phone screens until we happen to fall asleep. The lights from phone screens and laptops can disturb your sleep cycle more than natural light, so try turning off your electronics and staying unplugged at least an hour before you go to sleep. It makes it easier to get to sleep, not to mention how much you’ll be thanking yourself when it’s time to wake up in the morning.

3. Eat a healthy breakfast

The key to having a good morning is a full stomach. Getting out of bed is one thing, but energizing yourself with a healthy breakfast can at least allow you to have a productive day without feeling like a zombie. Try eating something quick, easy, and healthy like oatmeal or yogurt to make sure you start your day off the right way. Eating breakfast will not only ward off those “hangry” feelings you may have, but it also might be the one thing that allows you to have a productive day. Breakfast is important, so don’t take it for granted.

4. Get creative with your alarm

It’s easy to want to immediately press the snooze button when you have a loud alarm blaring noise in your ear. Sometimes, the only hard part of getting out of bed is actually getting out of bed. As a way to make waking up easier for yourself, try moving your alarm to the other side of the room, so that once you hear it go off, you’re forced to get up.

5. Try a sleep app

Oh, technology. There are so many apps out now that were created under the premise of making sure we get out of bed early and in the best ways possible. Some apps like Wake n Shake require you to shake your phone in order to turn off your alarm. Others, like Better Me, automatically shares a status update to your Facebook friends if you happen to not wake up on time. Try downloading a sleep app not only so that waking up can be slightly easier on you, but also so you can have a little fun with your mornings. 

Waking up is hard to do – we know. Be easy on your body and make sure you’re making the right choices throughout the day so that getting up and being productive eventually becomes second nature to you. All you have to do is stay motivated and your body will thank you later. 

Sure, your sunglasses may protect your eyes from the sun, but do they actually enhance the world around you? In the modern world of Instagram filters and photo editing, why can’t we filter everyday life too? Regular sunglasses just make life look gray and dull, but that’s why we’ve teamed up with Tens! Tens uses unique technology to create stylish lenses that allow you to unplug and filter the world around you. The lenses work with the warmth of the sun and transform your view into a vivid experience making everyday life look ten times better.

We’ve partnered with Tens to give four lucky winners their own pair of new lenses! One winner will receive a pair of Bailey lenses, another winner will receive a pair of Mason lenses, another winner will receive a pair of Cruiser lenses, and the last winner will receive a pair of Hunter lenses! Enter to win now and #filteryourworld! 

Tens

Hey collegiettes!

We know you love reading HC on your laptops, your smartphones, and your tablets... but now you can truly curl up with HC because our first-ever book, The Her Campus Guide to College Life, just hit stores!

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

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

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

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

I can't wait to hear what you think!

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

More than 700 Yale students are protesting two faculty members who criticized a campus-wide email about offensive Halloween costumes.

Shortly before Halloween, Yale’s Intercultural Affairs Council sent an email to the student body, which discouraged students from wearing culturally appropriative or insensitive Halloween costumes.

“And while students, undergraduate and graduate, definitely have a right to express themselves, we would hope that people would actively avoid those circumstances that threaten our sense of community or disrespects, alienates or ridicules segments of our population based on race, nationality, religious belief or gender expression,” the email read.

Shortly after the IAC’s email was sent, it was met with a response from Erika Christakis, Associate Master at the school and child development specialist. Christakis said that students shouldn’t be told what they can and cannot wear.

“Is there no room anymore for a child or young person to be a little bit obnoxious … a little bit inappropriate or provocative or, yes, offensive?” she wrote. “American universities were once a safe space not only for maturation but also for a certain regressive, or even transgressive, experience; increasingly, it seems, they have become places of censure and prohibition.”

Christakis’s email touched upon the long-running debate over the balance between upholding free speech and protecting students from personal offense, notes The New York Times.

Christakis’s husband, Master of Yale’s Silliman College, defended his wife’s emails, saying that he stands “behind free speech.” He has been confronted by large groups of students demanding that he apologize for the beliefs expressed by him and his wife. When he was unwilling to do so, the students angrily cursed and yelled at him.

In an email sent to the student body on Thursday, Dean Jonathan Holloway said that he was “fully in support” of the initial email sent by the Intercultural Affairs Council, requesting that Yale students avoid culturally insensitive Halloween costumes.

As a result of Christakis’s email and the opposition that it has met, many students are calling for her resignation. Over 700 students have signed an open letter criticizing Erika Christakis and her husband for their words, which has lead to a much larger debate about free speech.

We all need a little girl power in our lives—yes, even guys! Skout, the app that lets you expand your social circle and meet new people, surveyed its users and discovered some shocking stats about the status of BFFs among men. It seems they need a few more ladies in their lives. So we’ve rounded up 10 reasons why we think every guy should have a female bestie.

1. Men are lacking when it comes to squad goals.

While women are killing it with their super-strong squads, fellas aren’t having the same luck. In fact, Skout found that 90 percent of women say they have a BFF, whereas only 75 percent of men say they do. Seems guys have got something to learn from us ladies.

2. We give great relationship advice.

What better way is there for guys to figure out women than to step inside the mind of one? Allow us to be the Dear Abby to your Campus Cutie.

3. We’re tapped into our emotions.

We’ll be your shoulder to cry on when things get tough. We also have no objections to sharing a big tub of ice cream with you—if that’s what you want.

4. You’ll always have a go-to plus one.

Need a date for formal or a plus one for your cousin’s wedding? We’re so there! You never have to worry about going solo again, even though you may be forced to endure a slew of questions regarding your relationship status.

5. And we’re down to be your wingwoman at all times.

We know you’re crushing on that girl from your Chem class, and she just so happens to be our friend’s roommate’s little. We’ve got this on lock.

6. We make better friends than guys.

The facts don’t lie, folks. Skout found that of the guys who have a best friend, 53 percent have a BFF who is female. Boom. The era of the bromance appears to be pretty much over.

7. We like you for you.

Honestly, we wouldn’t waste our time hanging out with you if we didn’t like you for exactly who you are. You may get on our nerves sometimes, but that’s part of your charm.

8. We’ll write your texts for you.

But only if you do the same. Are we finally cracking the code of guy-girl texting relationships? We think so!

9. We’re your friend for life.

Face it; once we’re your BFF, you’re stuck with us. Through thick and thin, we’ll be by your side for life.

10. All the best friend duos are guy/girl.

Will and Grace. Taylor and Ed. Joey and Phoebe. Hermione and Harry. Leslie and Ron. The list goes on and on. Who wouldn’t want to be like these famous friends?

The next time one of your guy friends is less than appreciative of your companionship, give him the scoop. There’s nothing better for a guy than to call a girl his BFF. Still in search of the perfect male friend? Make sure you scope out Skout to expand your social circle.

The situation which unfolded last week at a high school in Colorado seemed to be something right out of a Law & Order SVU episode. It's the kind of nightmare parents hear about when reports of sexting appear on the news, and for the parents of some 100 students in the small town of Cañon City, that nightmare became a vivid reality on Friday.

According to the New York Times, between 300 and 400 nude photos of Cañon City High School students were discovered by police, thought to belong to well over 100 students. The photos broke open a schoolwide "sexting ring" that had been operating in the student body for quite a while, authorities said.

The photos belonged to students ranging from seniors to eighth graders in the local middle school. Several came from the football team, which was forced to forfeit their upcoming final game.

The New York Times reports that the nudes were shared by students through what are known as "vault apps." On a smartphone they are often disguised as calculators, but with the correct passwords they can quickly unlock hidden images. Apparently the photo-sharing was a competition of sorts, where points were given to students who collected the most nudes. Both boys and girls equally participated in the sexting game.

One parent described her horror when she found nudes on her child's cellphone in 2012, when he was just 12 years old and attending Cañon City Middle School.

"He told me there was nothing the school could do because half the school was sexting,” Heidi Wolfgang told the New York Times.

Both the police and district attorney are investigating whether any adults played a role in the scandal, whether kids were pushed to take part and most importantly whether child pornography charges will be filed. This is the most important thing to remember when it comes to sexting as a teenager—Even though it may seem like it's just between two consenting people, if one or even both of the parties or under 18, child pornography comes into play. And that's not something you want to mess around with.

Denair High School's cheerleading squad just got their first transgender member—and she couldn't be more excited! 

At the start of the season, Anry publicly identified as male, Cosmopolitan reports. When she made the decision to transition, she got her team together and let them all know at once.   

The California teen says that none of the girls had a negative reaction. They even raised money to get her a new uniform.

"They were really nice," Fuentes told People. "They were like, 'We support you for who you are. We love you, and it's not going to change anything. We're not going to see you any differently.'" 

Things at home haven't been quite as easy for her, however. People reports that after her mother threatened to throw all of her things away unless she presented as male, she decided to move out and live with another cheerleader, but that currently Fuentes' mother is coming to terms with it and she is planning on moving back home soon.

As a cheerleader, Fuentes isn't one to shy away from the limelight, especially when it helps others like her figure out who they are and what they want. 

"I'm kind of glad that it's getting out, so it can help others who are struggling," she told People. "I have been getting a lot of really nice messages from transgender girls and parents who are like, 'Your story is really touching, you're so strong.'"

Trans rights are still a major issue, especially when it comes to high schools.

The Transgender Law Center reports that 24 states have no anti-bullying measures set up for LGBT students, and the Human Rights Council reports one out of every five transgender people feel they have been subject to workplace discrimination.

Despite the struggles Fuentes and other transgender teens like her face, she does her best to keep a positive attitude about everything, and had some advice to offer other teens struggling with their identities. 

"I think [I would tell] anyone who is struggling with being uncomfortable in their skin... it's OK," Fuentes told The Daily Beast."You'll always have yourself. You're living to make yourself happy." 

No matter who you are, Fuentes' advice holds true. Live to make yourself happy, collegiettes!

Making it to the interview stage of a job search is definitely something to be proud of. You put so much effort into fine-tuning your resume and cover letter, and clearly it was worth it! But hold off on any premature celebrations, since the upcoming interview is an even bigger hurdle to jump over. The interview is your opportunity to let your personality shine, so don’t let yourself down!

There are clear blunders you want to avoid, like arriving late or pronouncing the employer’s name wrong, but there’s something else that can easily trip you up: delivering the same old, empty phrases everyone’s heard before. We talked with two career counseling experts about these phrases and how you should fix them, so take note and you’ll be on the road to landing the job!

1. “I’m a hard worker.”

You probably have good intentions if you use this phrase, but ultimately, it falls flat unless you back it up.

“Rather than use a really common phrase like this, give specific examples of instances that show you worked hard,” says Patricia Antonelli, the associate director of career counseling and programs at Boston University’s Center for Career Development.

When you bring in a past example, be sure to pick one that will really impress the employer. “You don’t want to mention how you are good at following directions and getting things done on time, because being a hard worker doesn’t mean you just got done what was expected of you,” says Suzanne Dagger, director of career development and assessment at Hofstra University’s Career Center. “It means you’ve gone above and beyond to do something greater than what you were asked.”

This would be the perfect opportunity to bring up how you climbed your way up to the position of editor at your school newspaper by spending that extra time to thoroughly report your stories. Similarly, you could bring up those few weeks at your summer internship when you arrived early every day in order to get a project done quicker so you could take on extra tasks.

2. “I’m very flexible.”

You’re flexible—like you’re an ace at gymnastics? Really though, a vague statement like this won’t do you much good. This type of statement could cause a misunderstanding between you and the employer: Maybe you’re referring to your willingness to take on new tasks, and the employer is thinking you’re flexible about your potential salary or hours. Be specific about what you mean!

Antonelli suggests bringing up a past instance to back up this statement. “Maybe during an internship, you were asked to stay late and work on a project they needed extra hands with,” Antonelli says. “An example like this is the perfect type to bring up if you want to prove your adaptability.”

Aside from showing your flexibility in terms of taking on extra work hours, you might also want to mention an instance when you were given a new task that you were unfamiliar with but eager to learn about. Employers will be delighted by your willingness to try new things.

3. “I’m highly qualified for this position.”

While you may in fact be highly qualified for the position, it’s really up to the employer to decide how good of a fit you are, so try not to come off as if you’re doing the employer’s job for him or her. Rather than definitively saying that you’re qualified, prove it by explaining why you want the job and what skills you can bring to the table.

Dagger says the best way to prove your qualifications is by bringing up past work experiences and explaining why they’re relevant. “Before you go in to the interview, ask yourself, ‘If I were the hiring manager, what skills would I be looking for?’ and make a list of them,” Dagger says. “Then, take that list and ask yourself how you got those skills, and think of anecdotes to use as proof.”

If the job description lists being a quick learner as a required qualification, think back to a moment that best demonstrates how fast you can take on new tasks. Perhaps at an internship you were asked to fill the position of someone else at the very last minute, and you had to quickly learn the ropes in order to successfully complete his or her tasks.

4. “Like” and “um”

Okay, so these aren’t exactly phrases that relate to the skills you want to show off, but they’re words you want to avoid repeating over and over. Naturally, many of us feel extremely nervous during interviews, and that can lead to us injecting filler language into the conversation. Repeating words like these may not necessarily ruin your chances of getting the job, but they sure can be distracting.

Antonelli says you may always be nervous, but you can “try your best to avoid using words like ‘um’ by practicing beforehand, since you can never have too much interview practice.” Many schools’ career centers offer mock interviews, and you can even find free tools online that simulate an interview. If the tool involves recording what you say, you can listen to your responses and see what words you’re repeating too often.

Even just practicing with a friend and recording your voice on your cell phone can help, according to Dagger, who also believes practice is the best solution to reducing filler language. “If your awareness of potential interview questions is high, then you should have a high awareness of what you want to say,” she says. “So if you have an idea in your mind of how to answer, you won’t be grasping as hard for ideas in the interview.”

5. “I really admire (company name).”

By the time you’ve made it to the interview, it should be a given that you show interest in the company—otherwise, why are you applying? Of course it’s important to praise the company, but you don’t need to say it in such a formulaic way that employers can see right through it.

“You need to be able to give some concrete examples if you want the employer to truly see that you’re interested in the company,” Antonelli says. “You want to do your research beforehand and find something unique you like about the organization without regurgitating all of the latest company news.”

Once you set your interview date, take some time to thoroughly research the company, which entails more than just reading the “About” page of its website. Take a look at the company’s social media pages to find out not only what the brand is all about, but also to see what the latest news may be. Who knows? The employer may even ask you if there’s a recent project you’re especially interested in.

While you want to mention anything about the company that caught your eye, refrain from making any criticisms. You want to praise the company, not bash it! To make yourself stand out even more, research other industry competitors and bring up something this company does that the others don’t.

6. “Awesome” or “you know?”

Casual language can impact how an employer perceives you. Antonelli says that words like “awesome” almost naturally come out because we use them so often with our friends in a casual environment. “Even if the employer is more laid-back and might even be using slang, you still want to stick with the more professional side,” Antonelli says.

When an employer is doing the talking, perhaps when she’s describing the position more in-depth, and there’s a brief pause in the conversation, you may feel the need to respond. This is where you might subconsciously pipe in with a “sweet” or “nice!” Instead, Dagger advises using full sentences and saying something more along the lines of, “That sounds great to me.”

When it comes to using statements like, “you know?” the question-like tone makes it seem as though you’re unsure of yourself. “A lot of us have a tendency to end statements with ‘you know?’ and it makes you come off as unconfident, which is something you never want to happen in an interview,” Dagger says.  Again, practicing being interviewed is a great way to see if you have this tendency and be mindful of it when the real thing happens.

Just the thought of having to talk about yourself to potential employers may make you cringe, but don’t get too anxious! Use our tips to steer clear of these dreaded phrases, and you’ll be able to prove to the employer how amazing you really are.

Jennifer Lawrence’s essay on the gender pay gap in Hollywood has drawn praise from actors and actresses alike; and it's one of her youngest supporters, 14-year-old Rowan Blanchard and star of Girl Meets World, who has proven that she just gets it.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Blanchard discussed her thoughts on Jennifer Lawrence being called “bratty” after the publication of her essay. “I think every female actress knew it, and they all knew that it was happening, but nobody wanted to say anything because they were just like, ‘Okay, you know what, I still got paid; it wasn’t as much, but I still got paid,’” she said.

“Society was telling them that if you speak out you’re going to be labeled, like, this feminist crazy person, difficult, difficult to work with—and that, in itself, is very sexist,” she added. “All these female actresses are literally labeled difficult to work with because, God forbid, they have an opinion.”

When somebody calls Jennifer Lawrence “bratty” for speaking up, they’re sweeping an important issue under the rug. Fortunately, she and other actresses like Blanchard won’t let those who’d rather take the easy way out silence them. “I’m definitely happy that people are speaking out and people are recognizing that they have the power to change things,” Blanchard said. “But at the same time, it’s frustrating that immediately, Jennifer Lawrence is labeled as annoying... It’s difficult, but people have to keep on doing it in order to break these barriers.”

Even though Lawrence is arguably one of the most widely heard voices in the world, she’s still only one voice. But to see her point of view become so widely supported by others—even spurring other actors like Bradley Cooper to help with the cause—is what will really bring about change. And when we hear someone like Rowan Blanchard voice her thoughts so articulately and eloquently at such an incredibly young age, it really does seem like these changes are ready to start happening.

Mental health issues seem to climax in college, yet this is arguably one of the absolute worst times to deal with them. As if students don't face enough between schoolwork, jobs, extracurricular activities, planning some sort of future, moving to a new place, having some semblance of a social life, living alone for what is often the first time, and a whole lot of raging hormones, issues like PTSD and schizophrenia sneak their way in to complicate things.  

I'm one of the many students affected by mental health issues while in college. Though they've plagued me for years, I was only recently formally diagnosed with anxiety and depression. It's been an exhausting journey, and it's one that I continue each and every day.

I should preface my take by telling you that I've also had a host of physical ailments—joint problems, migraines, heart issues, you name it. Quite frankly, I still don't tell many people what I'm going through because of them; if they haven't tired of listening to me complain of knee pain and syncope already, surely these equally invisible "lesser" issues (as society somehow sees mental matters) stand no chance. Is this me being paranoid, my anxiety showing, or is it a result of the world's response, a lack of empathy?

While my physical problems can literally be crippling, these mental ones manifest in equally horrific ways. As I panic over making a phone call or my need to make a detailed itinerary for a trip, I'm well aware that many of my fears are irrational. When I'm lying in bed, void of motivation, and start crying, saddened by nothing, I know I have countless reasons to be happy.  Contrary to the concept of it being "all in my head," I have no control—I really can't help it.  

One of the most difficult steps I've taken, lugging my suitcase of disorders behind me, was getting help. My school offers free (well, included in tuition) counseling services, but  I'd only heard horror stories about them. Instead, I went to a regular family doctor—my first grown-up appointment in a new place and the result of many a panic attack as I dialed the number. My doctor's been wonderful—From the moment I handed her a color-coded chart of ailments on my first visit, she's never once accused me of hypochondria or overanalyzing my symptoms.  

I've since gotten involved with my campus' chapter of Active Minds, and met with others who know my pain, who believe that I am far from crazy. From them, I learned just how dire the on-campus mental health situation has truly become.  

Students tease that they'd rather kill themselves than write a paper. Others joke that the "skinny friend" should eat a burger.  Had they confronted suicide or eating disorders firsthand, they'd likely think before speaking.  

Services themselves are inadequate. For all we know, our food service and facilities employees are trained to handle mental illness, but no one would know to turn to them.  It's important nevertheless to have professionals on hand to deal with these sorts of things, particularly in a place like college, where they run rampant. A Counseling Center or the equivalent can be a safe haven.  

No matter what, it's hard to utilize services of which you aren't aware. At my school, first year students learn repeatedly during orientation how to recognize consent and how to help a friend who's blacked out, but not often how to help themselves when they're anxious about nothing, or depressed beyond what chocolate can help.  If these services do in fact exist, they need to be publicized more. I’m only just delving into these offerings myself, nearly halfway through my second year, because I knew only what I heard from my peers.  

A stigma unquestionably exists about getting help, even under assurances of confidentiality. If someone's anxious and afraid of what others may think, no "guarantee" will easily convince them that word won't get out, especially on a small campus. No one wants to be known as the girl who tried to kill herself.  By not having proper services for dealing with these issues, or not promoting them in order for their purpose to be realized, schools are inadvertently perpetuating this stigma that mental illnesses aren't worthy of help.  

If there's one thing I've learned on my journey so far, it's that there is hope and there is help, even if it seems impossible. Research, find out what your school has to offer.  Many offer professional counseling or therapy of which you may not even be aware. If these options don't suit you, talk to someone. Email me here on Her Campus, I'm a pretty good listener.  Find a doctor. Even confessions on Whisper or YikYak can alleviate some pain; I’ve seen countless anonymous friendships form over a desperate post. No matter what, hang in there.  Sometimes—and as I continue on this journey, it occasionally seems like most times—hanging in there is all you can do.  

photo credit: Kailey Rae via photopin(license)

photo credit: Laura via photopin(license)

Trying to figure out if a guy wants you to make the first move can be extremely frustrating. You want something more, but you don’t want to get shut down. We’ve talked to Dr. Carole Lieberman, psychiatrist & bestselling author, to let you in on the signs a guy wants you to make the first move. Quit playing games with that guy you've been talking to and figure out if he wants you to be the one to make a move.

Signs he wants you to make the first move

1. He does nice things for you

If the guy you’ve been talking to goes out of his way to do something nice for you, odds are he wants something more. Guys can be shy too, so he may be testing the waters to see if you’re as into him as he is into you. “If a guy does nice things for you— such as bringing you a snack when he knows you’re up studying for a test, or fixes your flat tire, or cooks you dinner— chances are he’s hoping for something more than friendship,” Dr. Lieberman says. If you find your guy is leaving you sweet notes or delivering coffee to you, he wants you make a move!

2. He can’t keep his hands off you

If a guy is touching you whenever he has the opportunity to, there’s no denying he wants something more. He may be using this touch as a go-ahead to you to make the first move if you’re into him. “If he looks for ways to touch that could seem innocent, such as putting his arm around your shoulders to lead you somewhere, or helping you out of a car, he wants more,” Dr. Lieberman says. He may not want to seem too pushy, so he’s laying the ground for you to come to him. Go for it if you’re interested!

3. He introduces you to his friends (and pays the most attention to you)

If a guy is introducing you to his friends and still being as flirty, he definitely wants you to make a move. If he likes you enough to bring you into his group but won’t do more than that, make the move yourself. Magdi Candelaria, a fifth year student at Carlos Albizu University, says a guy wants you to make the first move when “he introduces his friends to you but he pays more attention to you and how everything's going with your life.” If he cares enough about you to give you the time of day in front of his bros, you’re in the clear to make a move.

4. He makes a lot of eye contact

You know that look a guy shoots you from across the room—the one that makes you feel weak inside? That’s a sign he wants you to make the first move. Allison Zeppuhar, a junior at James Madison University, says, “When a guy is looking at you from across the room, you can tell he wants you to come up to him. Eye contact is his way of letting you know he’s into you.” Next time you’re getting googly eyes from a cutie, go say hi! He may be too shy to come up to you on his own.

Related: 5 Flirty Texts That Will Guarantee a Response

Why won’t he make the first move himself?

If you recognize these signs, you may be wondering why your guy won’t make the first move on his own. “Most often, they’ve been burned before by a girl who rejected them when they made the first move, so he’s playing it more cautiously this time,” Dr. Lieberman shares. Your guy may be hesitant to get rejected again, so it’s up to you to make a move if you want the relationship to progress into something more.

Should you make the first move or play hard to get?

Once you know your guy is into you, you may not feel comfortable making the first move. If you’re into him and want something more, go for it! “If you like the guy, then you could start making subtle moves, but don’t just do it out of guilt for all that he’s done for you,” Dr. Lieberman says. “You may find it a little off-putting that he doesn’t just ‘take charge’ and make the first move, but some guys are shy, insecure or afraid to offend you.” As we said, your guy may have had a negative experience in the past that’s preventing him from being forward with you. If you want to see where the relationship goes, take charge.

How should you go about making the first move?

If you’ve decided you’re going to go for it, you may be wondering how to go about doing so. If you’ve been casually hanging out and think he wants you to make the first move, you could suggest a more intimate hang out. “You could offer to buy him drinks to thank him for some nice thing that he’s done, or you could offer to cook him dinner, and then hope that this encourages him to take it into the boyfriend-girlfriend zone,” Dr. Lieberman says. By initiating a more “serious” date, you’ll give him the go-ahead to move things along. You could also make him more confident by sending a flirty text. You’d be surprised how much a simple emoji can do!

Once you know the signs a guy wants you to make the first move, you can decide what to do from there. If this is something you’re seriously interested in, put your best foot forward and give it a shot. Good luck, collegiettes!

You already know that reminiscing about the Disney Channel Original Movies of yore is one of our hobbies. And while some of the clothes these teen idols wore back in the day are near horrific now, there are still some classic looks that we love. So, that’s why we dug through the archives and found the 12 best outfits from our favorite Disney Channel flicks. Enjoy and feel free to replicate any and all of these ensembles.

1. Those velour jumpsuits from The Cheetah Girls

Who didn’t run out to Limited Too and buy a velour jumpsuit after watching The Cheetah Girls for the first time?

2. Sharpay’s OG High School Musical look

That pink floral blazer. Those stark white pants. The shiny accessories. Sharpay cemented her girly-girl fashionista status with this outfit from the first HSM.

3. All the 2004 touches of Stuck in the Suburbs

Sporty jerseys and denim jackets—we still totally wear those things today! But we may have to nix the overplucked brows and big hoop earrings.

4. The funky fashions in Get a Clue

So we’ve mostly forgotten this 2002 Lindsay Lohan-starrer. But leave it to a spy movie to give us all the insane fashion we could ever dream up. Subtle? No. But just out there enough to be cool? Oh yeah!

5. Demi Lovato goes Camp Rock casual

Mitchie Torres was the queen of casual in the Camp Rock movies. Her cheery yet effortless outfit is something we could easily recreate.

6. Dressed to impress in Princess Protection Program

The best thing about DCOMs? You can always count on a homecoming, formal or prom to act as an excuse for the ladies to get all dolled up. Selena Gomez’s mint dress is one we wish we’d had for our high school dances.

7. Calling all Belles from Princess Protection Program

This gown is not only fit for a princess, but it brings to mind one in particular—Belle, duh! Real sneaky, Disney.

8. Pink camo in Cadet Kelly

Leave it to Lizzie McGuire to make you want to go to military school. Pink camo with tons of sparkle—sign us up!

9. That ’50s getup from Smart House

Yes, we like the crazy Smart House lady’s ’50s housewife look. It’s retro, okay?

10. Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior’s traditional attire

If you’re going to be a female warrior and run for homecoming queen simultaneously, you might as well look good doing it.

11. That futuristic garb from Zenon

We hope this is the kind of style we have to look forward to in the future. We’re all for the bright colors, metallics and goofy accessories. Plus, they’re basically just wearing leggings, so how could we not be on board?

12. Everything Gabriella ever wore in HSM 3

We invalidate your “this isn’t technically a DCOM” argument. Because every piece of clothing that big movie budget afforded Gabriella was more than worth it. #TroyandGabriellaFOREVER 

Which of these DCOM looks is your fave, collegiettes?

It's a debate that is older than time itself, and with a rumored Netflix revival in the works, it's time to settle this once and for all. Take our quiz below to find out which of Rory Gilmore's boyfriends is your soulmate. And don't you dare send us hate mail if you somehow end up getting Dean. 

The first Harry Potter book came out—for most of us—in of our early infancies, and the last movie hit theaters somewhere between middle and high school. So it's no secret that we have a pretty emotional relationship with the franchise. Even though we've seen the movies a solid dozen times, there's just something about them that makes us burst into tears. Every. Single. Time. And why wouldn't we? Each year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is an emotional rollercoaster like no other. TBH, even The Bachelorette doesn't get to us this much. These are just some of scenes that STILL make us ugly cry.

1. The Dursleys try to keep Harry away from Hogwarts

Sooo sad and frustrating.

2. Ron sacrifices himself at wizard's chess

We knew they wouldn't kill off a main character in the first movie, but Ron was always so brave. <3

3. Harry finds out the "prisoner of Azkaban" is in fact his godfather

And Sirius asks him to come live with him. Oh man, so many feels.

4. Harry realizes he saw himself across the lake, not his dad

Of course they couldn't give him just this one.

5. Whenever Ron snogs Lavender in front of Hermione

RON! Why can't you see you're with the wrong person?! Ugh, typical.

6. Cedric Diggory dies

Nooo, not Robert Pattinson!!

7. Dolores Umbridge fires Professor Trelawney

That line alone is enough to make us tear up.

8. Hagrid leaves Grawp with Harry, Ron and Hermione

The poor giant is so alone and clueless!

9. Bellatrix kills her cousin, Sirius

He was Harry's ONLY family!!! This is SO unfair!! Not to mention the pangs of pain we feel every time Bellatrix chants, "I killed Sirius Black, I killed Sirius Black."

10. Bellatrix kills Dobby

Dobby the free elf died saving Harry and his friends... we don't have the emotional capacity to handle this.

11. Ron says Hermione's name in his sleep

*happy tears*

12. Snape kills Dumbledore

*wipes tear* Okay but you're done killing people off now, right? RIGHT?

13. Hermione erases her parents' memory of her

BRB, hugging our moms.

14. Nagini bites Snape to death

Things weren't always easy between Harry and Snape, but we had grown attached to him in a weird way. And it's good to know he wasn't working for Voldemort after all. But also, stop killing everyone kcool bye.

15. Under the influence of a horcrux, Ron leaves Harry and Hermione

We need wine, chocolate and a blanky right about now.

16. Bellatrix tortures Hermione

One word: sobbing.

17. Fred Weasley dies

Okay, done. We are so done. We've run out of tears.

18. Harry dies

We almost believed that this was actually the end and it was HORRIBLE.

19. Neville is reborn a hero

And got super hot in the process. We're crying because he's come such a long way since he was the clumsy boy who lost control of his broomstick.

20. The last end credits EVER roll around

Time for another HP marathon, y'all.

I never understood how much Lorelai Gilmore actually ate during the seven seasons the show ran until I gained 3 pounds in one week.

As an experiment, I based all my decision-making on what she would do for one week, and thanks to that, my black workout pants are too tight now. I actually thought that her eating habits were something to admire, and something I wanted to try at some point of my life but I never had the courage to actually do it. Sure, I love pizza and ice cream, but I never embraced the eat-junk-food-every-day lifestyle that Lorelai lived by.

Over the summer (and before this experiment), my life was very much unlike Lorelai. I woke up every day before 9 a.m. to go to the gym, I ate really healthy and I made sure I was feeding my body the right nutrients. I was in great shape, and I loved that feeling. But when I came back to college I started picking up bad habits.  It is easier to heat frozen nuggets in the microwave than preparing grilled chicken, and Easy Mac is always preferable over a real meal when you have less than 20 minutes between work and meetings. Having a Shake Shack right below your apartment doesn’t help at all either, especially when you know you forgot to defrost the meat for the fifth day in a row.

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I started feeling tired after a while and I could feel how my body was changing. It was definitely something I was not happy with. I decided to change this and go back to my summer habits. I found a workout buddy, I Instacart'ed fruits and veggies, and I was ready to go and pinned a lot of healthy recipes on my Pinterest’s boards. That was until I decided to make every decision by asking, "What Would Lorelai Gilmore Do?"

I started my week by waking up as late as I could. I normally I try to wake up at least an hour before leaving the house so I don’t have to rush anywhere, but I knew that sleeping in was something Lorelai would do. I rushed down the door with shoes in hand and putting them on as I sprinted downstairs. When I got out of my apartment, I knew it was time for coffee and I opted for the coffee shop that serves the strongest, biggest coffee on campus.

“Coffee, coffee, coffee!” I said as I got near the cashier.
“Excuse me?” she asked me, with an annoyed expression on her face.
“Coffee, big, dark,” I replied. I knew this was not the appropriate way to order my morning drink, but hey—it was the Lorelai in me talking!

I ordered the largest coffee they have on their menu. I am a believer of splurging on coffee just when it is extremely necessary, otherwise I will brew my own cup of joe at home. I knew Lorelai wouldn’t brew her own coffee unless she was fighting with Luke, and since I haven’t picked a fight with my barista (yet!), I decided to go for it.

Related: 17 Love Lessons We Learned from Gilmore Girls

I got to my internship 20 minutes after my stop at the coffee shop. I could feel my heart racing, and the caffeine was making me extremely anxious. Even if I normally drink strong coffee, I'd never had one this strong. While I was working on my project, the secretary of the office offered me coffee, and a Gilmore never says no to more coffee, so I went for it. During the whole week my caffeine levels were extremely high, to the point that sleeping before 3 a.m. was not an option. I also started drinking coffee after 4 p.m., something that my grandmother taught me not to do. Uh oh.

I bought lunch almost every day from food trucks around the area or the food court below my office. I wanted to pack lunch or bring something from home, but I knew that Lorelai doesn’t cook unless she is using a microwave to reheat leftovers. I started watching movies and eating an insane amount of nachos (read: melted cheese on top of Tostitos), a couple bags of Reese’s... and let’s not even talk about take-out. I had enough leftovers to feed an entire army.

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Besides changing my eating and coffee-drinking habits, I started saying everything that was on my mind out loud. I have always been a straightforward girl, but this week I took it to another level. Instead of waiting to be asked for my opinion, I would just give my two cents about everything. As Lorelai would do, I was extremely sarcastic and ironic with all my answers, and I babbled a lot. I used more pop culture references, even ones that nobody would understand. Some of my friends even got tired of my excessive talking and one of them asked me to give her a break. She knew I was doing this project, but she couldn’t take my babbling anymore.

I didn’t clean my room at all during that week either, and I just left my clothes spread around the floor or on my desk. I refused to do my laundry until the last minute. I was more of a slob that week that I have ever been in my life. I even stopped using my color-coded system because Rory is the organized one of the pair. I felt like my disorganization was getting out of control and it was starting to bother the type-A person I am, but more than once I had to sit down and pretend nothing was out of order because that’s how Lorelai would handle this.

I have to admit that my opinion of Lorelai Gilmore changed significantly when I started acting like her. When I got out of my first serious relationship, Gilmore Girls was the show that reminded me how strong I am. I thought of both Rory and Lorelai as role models, people worth admiring and maybe imitating, but after making every decision based on Lorelai I realized there is no one I would rather be than myself. Lorelai is great to watch on TV, but her life is not for me. Even if I'm normally a sarcastic-coffee-lover-straight-forward girl, I am never going to be a Gilmore, and I'm okay with that.

If you’re like any other overwhelmed pre-collegiette, you’ve probably heard a lot of things about standardized tests. You have been conditioned to believe the SATs hold your ticket to a successful life. You’ve heard that the SATs are the ultimate way to determine how prepared you are for college. However, did you ever think that some of these fabled SAT horrors are actually not true? We’ve laid out a list of common things you’ve probably heard about the SAT, and why they’re not right.

Myth #1: It’s harder than the ACT

The ACT and SAT essentially are the same level of difficulty. The thing is, they both test different sets of skills. The SAT is an aptitude exam that tests you on your reasoning and logical skills. The ACT emphasizes how well you’ve retained knowledge from school. We talked to Judi Robinovitz, a college counselor and educational planner (who has also contributed to SAT preparation materials and has taken the SAT more times than you ever will in your life), about the role the SAT plays in your academic career.

“The ACT is a ‘speeded’ test. [There is an] average of twenty more seconds on the new SAT.” Robinovitz adds, “The new SAT math section has closer to two-thirds of algebra with less geometry and trig. The ACT is the easier test for you if you like geometry.”

Consider the English section of the ACT. It tests you on how well you can reorder phrases and use punctuation, which are skills you’ve learned in school. The SAT, on the other hand, involves figuring out what a vocabulary word means based on the context it’s used in. It requires more logical thinking than knowing where to place commas and semicolons. On the SAT, you’re not expected to know the definitions of the vocabulary words. As for the ACT, you are expected to have learned the rules of punctuation and grammar in school.

A lot of people feel more comfortable with the ACT because it tests them on skills they have learned in class. Jordan Chaffiotte, a junior at Philadelphia University, concurs. “They’re different types of tests, so some people do better on one than the other, and others find that their scores more or less even out.”

So is the ACT actually easier than the SAT? It actually just depends on the person.

Myth #2: It’s an accurate indicator of how well you will do in college

If you’ve ever gotten back an SAT score just to tell yourself that you’re not ready for the challenges college has to offer, you’re lying to yourself.

Comparing a good standardized test score with success in college is similar to comparing a “like” on Facebook to a surprise birthday party your friends throw for you.

College is completely different world from the bounds of the bubbles you’re shading on your exam. There is more to college than just exams and homework. College is also about managing your time, developing interpersonal skills, learning how to cope during times of stress, and finding a balance between work and play. These attributes are important but don’t show up anywhere in your SAT scores. Don’t underestimate time management and interpersonal skills—not everyone has them, and they are what really gets you through college!

The SAT can play a part in your success in college admissions. However, “academic record is by fat the most important factor,” says Robinovitz. Thrive on your schoolwork, take challenging courses and work hard on improving your high school GPA.  

Myth #3: College admissions officers will judge you for taking it more than once

Generally, your college application involves sending your highest SAT subscores for each individual section (this is called “superscoring” by colleges). So if you rocked the math section last June but totally bombed it in October, don’t stress about it! Send both scores and colleges will take your higher math marks from your June SAT.

There’s nothing wrong with taking the test more than once. Robinovitz recommends taking the first time taking the exam to be your “baseline.” If you think that you could do better than your baseline, brush up on your skills before the next test day.

“Some colleges now demand to see all test scores,” says Michelle Podbelsek, a counselor with College Counseling Associates. “A student really shouldn’t take the SAT or ACT more than three times...Some colleges may average the scores if the student took it many, many times. It’s best to use mock tests for practice rather than the real one.” Better crack open the books!           

Myth #4: Any SAT prep book will work

The SAT is a reasoning test. It’s challenging because you are being tested on how well you can interpret a piece of information--not if you happen to know a particular fact. “Some SAT questions are meant to trick you,” says Podbelsek. For example, you probably won’t know a lot of the words in the vocabulary section, so you’re expected to figure out its meaning through context and reasoning. It’s doable, but time-intensive. You can memorize all the vocabulary words you want, but memorization doesn’t necessarily give you contextual interpretation skills. The writers of the test know you won’t know the definition of every word you’ll be tested on! The SATs are designed for you to be able to reason out a solution, not recite facts.

The best practice you can do involves the reading and problem-solving skills you apply everyday. Practice interpretation and reasoning. Don’t study hard facts. (That is, don’t go out of your way to memorize the definitions of abject, abscond and incongruous.)  

Robinovitz recommends resources such as Khan Academy, which allows you to work through a full-length SAT practice test. “Make sure you make use of new tests,” she adds. She also suggests using prep books in which writers have a list of test-taking strategies that work, rather than books that only have practice problems.

Myth #5: Your PSAT score will affect your college applications

Many consider the PSAT to be a mini version of the SAT. Just like the SAT can’t indicate how well you do in college, the PSAT can’t indicate how well you will do on the SAT. The format may be similar, but they are still essentially two different exams. Think about it: if you take the PSAT in October, but take the SAT in February, you have done a lot of growth over those few months that will often lead you to higher test scores!

The PSAT has been a source of pressure for a lot of collegiettes, with the possibilities of National Merit scholarships settling like a fog over the stresses of paying for school. National Merit, while it’s helpful to recipients, won’t affect your admission to college. “The PSAT has zero impact on college applications,” says Robinovitz. She adds that it’s a good way to learn about the type of test taker you are. “You can learn what your academic weaknesses are” so you can work on improving those weak points before you take the SAT.

Nonetheless, getting into your dream college isn’t just about SAT subscores; it’s also about your performance in high school classes and how much you want to go to that college!

Myth #6: The writing section isn’t important

The writing section of the SAT is probably the most fluid part of the exam. It’s the only part of the SAT where you can express your ideas and show the test graders your writing abilities. When you’re sending SAT scores to colleges, your score on the writing section is a general indicator of whether you can convey your ideas in writing.

The SAT recently went through a big renovation in which the essay portion is now optional. Even though it’s not required anymore, you still may have to take the writing portion. While the writing section doesn’t matter as a college application booster, some colleges actually require it to be a part of your application. Keep an eye out for what your college shortlist’s application requirements are; many of them may want you to take the writing portion!

All in all, remember that your SAT scores don’t define the type of student you’ll be in college. You could have perfect scores and still have trouble with school. You could have average scores and still graduate college with a great GPA. Success in college is all about work ethic; not about the numbers you made on some exam a few years before. And when you’re looking for a real job beyond college, who’s going to care about your SAT scores, anyway?