We all have our favorite little black dresses that are simultaneously reliable, fashion-forward and flattering. This holiday season, it’s time to take your LBD to the next level with a few styling tricks and accessories to suit every event you have on your busy schedule. From cocktail parties to cookie swaps, your loyal LBD will act as the perfect starting point for a slew of festive ensembles.

1. Furry & Fab

Transform a basic LBD into a chic evening look by adding some luxe textures like faux fur. These days you can find a great coat at any price—and as a bonus it'll become a staple in your closet, taking your winter outfits to the next level. Strappy heels accented with a touch of texture add a bit of whimsy to your holiday look. Finally, an eye-catching clutch in deep red will give your outfit a punch of color and another element of interest to cut through all that fuzz.

2. Home for the Holidays

We all know that the best part of the holiday season is spending time with family. A low-key family gathering is another perfect opportunity to pull out the LBD. An A-line style in a stretchy material will keep you comfortable throughout the day and night, while pretty flats are a good alternative for heels. Keep it fun yet fashionable with printed tights and a long cardigan. You’ll be comfortable and cozy while still impressing those family members you haven’t seen all year!

Related: 9 Creative Ways to Transform Your Look in One Step

3. Perfectly Polished

Every girl should have a go-to party look in her closet and this one will serve you well this holiday season. A fitted, flirty LBD can be dressed up with sexy leopard print heels, while a chic blazer and modern pearls keep the look sophisticated. 

4. Sweet & Spicy

Sometimes the holidays just call for a look that’s sultry and sophisticated. A fitted LBD with a hint of skin and lace-up booties are always stylish, and so perfectly Kylie Jenner. A demure, understated coat gives you a much-needed extra layer—plus it makes for a great reveal to your sexy look underneath.

5. Shopping Spree

If a day of shopping is on your to-do list this winter break, you’ll need an outfit that’s both comfortable and fashion-forward. Break out that LBD and glam it up with a pair of leather booties and a blanket cape that you can easily take on and off as you shop. A great tassel necklace is always a good choice, and effortlessly takes a basic knit dress from flat to fab.

6. Mad for Mod

Transform your favorite black mini dress with a pair of thigh-high boots that will give you legs for days. A motorcycle jacket and cross-body bag are all you need to finish off the outfit. Plus you can easily dress it up or down with sparkly jewels for a night on the town, or simple studs for a day out with the girls.

7. Winter Wonderland

A long-sleeved LBD is a great winter staple and so versatile for both upscale and casual holiday gatherings. A sleeveless vest is an effortless way to glamorize a black dress and a pair of sparkly ballet flats just screams holiday cheer. Finish it all off with delicate layered necklaces or a stack of bangles and you’re ready to make your holiday rounds.

The holidays are a busy time of year for catching up with friends and family, attending parties and hosting get-togethers. But there’s no need to stress about what you’ll wear to each new event if you’ve already got a trustworthy little black dress tucked in your closet. It’s the perfect blank slate for endless styling possibilities, meaning you can go from a day of Christmas shopping to a holiday soiree in a snap!

Thinking about what to get the friend whose bed is her #1 bae? (Or maybe that's you.) Regardless, here is our list of drool-worthy gifts that are sure to make even the most dedicated sleep lover get out of bed to check out her gifts.

1. Dream Essentials Dream Essence Prints Sleep Mask ($19.95)

This cute sleep mask features a front pocket where you can slip in the complimentary lavender and chamomile herb sachet that'll take your sleep to the next level.

2. Bow & Drape The Boyfriend Sweatshirt ($58) 

Sounds like a good enough reason for us.

3. Forever 21 So Late PJ Set ($14.90)

But are you really sorry? Thought so. 

4. Pier 1 Imports Fuzzy Throw ($29.99)

Take it to bed, the couch, or even the library. You'll be the most comfortable person ever.

5. Tempur-Pedic 'Windsock' Slippers ($39.95)

Once your feet get into these bad boys, nothing will be able to convince you to leave your room. Plans? What plans?

6. Missguided Nap Queen Nightshirt Pink ($25.50)

17:38, still napping. 

7. Haslra Premium Soft Warm Microfiber Fuzzy Socks ($12.99 - $24.99)

Heaven will be right under your toes in these babies. 

8. Teavana Lavender Dreams® White Tea  ($14.98 for 2 oz)

Even the most dedicated sleep lovers need some help sometimes. This cup of tea is sure to be just right.

9. Therapedic Memory Touch Neck Pillow ($19.99)

For those times you find yourself asleep upright on your couch. It happens.

10. Nap All Day Sleep All Night Party Never Throw Pillow ($24.99)

#SpiritAnimal #Truth

11. Laptop and Tablet Tray with Build-In Charger ($99.99)

You'll never have to leave bed again, for ANY reason.

12. The Big One Memory Foam Contour Pillow ($24.99)

This is JUST the thing that'll make a bed the most comfortable bed ever.

What are you getting for your sleep-obsessed friend?

Adele has been all the hype recently. With her new album 25 breaking records and her eyeliner on fleek, we figured you may want to find out how Adele you are. Take the quiz below to find out:

How to make the perfect chocolate chip cookie. [YourTango]

The science behind why we love being called baby. [EliteDaily]

The sweet story behind Peanuts' first black character. [Quartz]

What kind of person calls a mass shooting a hoax? [The Trace]

Lady Gaga opens up about being raped as a teen. [The Huffington Post]

The Internet is freaking out over these Starbucks cookies. [People]

Why FOMO is ruining your dating life. [Cosmpolitan]

21 confessions from parents of teenagers. [BuzzFeed]

The Elf drinking game you always wanted. [Spoon University]

Should you refinance your student loans? [NerdWallet]

Parks and Recreation may have ended, but that doesn't mean its characters won't live on. Why? Because Leslie Knope, Ron Swanson and the rest of the Parks crew just get us. And they definitely get how we feel during the panic of exam day, because let's be honest: we're feeling all the feels all at once, and the clock is ticking. Here's what exam day is really like:

Your alarm sounds and you couldn’t be more depressed because TODAY IS EXAM DAY.

You’re cranky because you pulled an all-nighter to prepare, so you’re only running off of a two-hour power nap and a couple of granola bars (read: Oreos).

You take advantage of every last second to cram in some more material… Then you panic because you realize you only have 15 minutes to get dressed and make it to class.

On the way, you feel the need to ask your friends for a last-minute pep talk.

And for a split second, their reassurance starts to help you perk up a bit.

Then you start feeling hopeless again, because you realize they’re not in this class and couldn’t possibly understand how tragic this test is going to be.

So you fall back into your state of supreme displeasure and become irritated by every little thing. Watch out, chirping birds and chipper freshmen.

You finally make it to class, and you couldn’t be more anxious if you tried.

Despite knowing this counts for 40 percent of your grade, you try to psych yourself into thinking this exam is no biggie.

And you start to feel confident again when you see how easy-peasy question #1 is.

You definitely get suspicious when the next couple of questions are just too easy.

Then the short-answer portion backhands you, and you want to throw your desk across the room in a fit of rage. 

You’d feel embarrassed if you cried in front of everyone, so you try to convince yourself that grades don’t matter anyway.

But you’re so furious that you begin plotting how you can destroy your professor’s career.

Especially as you're on your way out and he has the nerve to ask you, “How do you think you did?”

You finally leave, and you’re utterly distraught. 

You could almost laugh at the fact that you’re royally screwed now.

Then you realize how silly you are, because you forgot one simple thing that’ll ease your pain…

You know you may have been wrong about every question on that exam, but you're confident about what to do next…

But no matter what grade you get, you did it! You survived. Here's to treating yo'self on exam day, and every day after.

We all probably purge our closets at least twice a year, but lets be honest––how often do these purges include our underwear drawer? 

Dear collegiettes, if you're anything like us, you probably adamantly believe that your bras and undies can last for years. However, we decided to uncover the truth. Read below for the obvious signs it's time to replace your beloved undergarments:

They've lost their shape & support

Our breasts change a lot more than we realize, so supporting them the right way is of the upmost importance. After all, support is the exact reason we wear a bra in the first place. Get measured at least once a year to make sure you're supporting your breasts properly.

As far as underwear is concerned, countless wash cycles can wear them super quickly, so we recommend replacing them every six months. Besides, what girl doesn't love some sexy new underwear?

They are uncomfortable

According to Mona Gohara, M.D. and Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine, you should definitely throw away any undergarments that just don't feel right––especially any that are lacy, because the discomfort can actually cause cysts and irritation. 

Even if you purchase a perfectly fitting piece of lingerie, shrinkage in underwear or band movement in bras can happen in the wash. Undergarments are supposed to help you (seriously) so don't be sad about tossing the ones that hurt you.

Bonus: Shopping for new bras and underwear is always fun, so don't hesistate to replace your undergarments! It's definitely better for you in the long run.

“Squad” is a buzzword that has been circulating social media networks throughout 2015. It is often used to refer to a close-knit group of individuals who exceed the common definition of friendship. They ride or die for one another, and they can be sure to always have each other’s backs through thick and thin. The term is meant to be positive and connote friendship, support, and solidarity. However, such groups can also be interpreted as divisive rather than unifying. Girl cliques, in particular, can be detrimental to the inclusivity of the feminist movement, as Rowan Blanchard mentioned in a recent interview with Just Jared Jr.

The 14-year-old actress, who stars as Riley Matthews in Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World, voiced her opposition to squads and advocated in favor of sisterhood. Sisterhood, she claims, is “so valid and important when you are growing up that... the essence of it should be taught in schools.” It signifies a bond between women based on common interests and support for one another, while “the ‘squads’ we see in the media are very polarizing.”

“It makes feminism look very one dimensional,” she says. “Feminism is so multilayered and complex that it can be frustrating when the media and the celebrities involved in it make feminism and “squads” feel like this very happy, exclusive, perfect thing. There’s so much more than that. ‘Squad goals’ can polarize anyone who is not white, thin, tall and always happy.”

Related: Rowan Blanchard Just Addressed the Gender Pay Gap in the Most Eloquent Way

The reason the phrase “squad goals” is polarizing is that it can cause non-members to internalize an “us versus them” mentality—that they as outsiders can only aspire to be part of the squad. It can also cause individuals to think of themselves as inadequate, as they are fed the idea that the squad is supposedly better than their own group of friends. Feminism, at its core, is a movement of empowerment and equality and in order to achieve both, feminists must be inclusive of all people. The exclusiveness of squads, although in the name of friendship and solidarity, ultimately defeats the purpose of the movement rather than facilitate it.

We all wish we could pay for college using money we’ve won from applying to scholarships. But there are so many options out there, and most requirements are so tailored that it’s hard to find many scholarships that you’re eligible for. That’s why we were so ecstatic to find Unigo!

Unigo provides a matching service and database of 3.6 million external scholarships, plus 13 ongoing Unigo scholarships that have awarded students with $500,000 to date! As if that’s not enough to make us love them, Unigo also provides students with real, unfiltered college reviews about anything from on campus living to partying to political activism on campus and more.

We’ve partnered with Unigo to give one lucky winner a $1,000 Apple Store gift card! And if you’re not that one winner, don’t fret, because we’re giving five more lucky winners each a $50 Amazon gift card! All you have to do is follow the link below to review your college or university, and you could be one of those lucky winners. You will not be entered to win this giveaway unless you submit a new review. So what are you waiting for? Enter to win now! 

Unigo

Remember when your day used to involve running across campus from classes to office hours to club meetings? Now that you’re at a desk between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., the sudden lack of exercise may be driving you crazy. Don’t get us wrong, office life has its perks, but sitting in a chair for 40+ hours a week can make you feel pretty sluggish.

So how do you avoid this real-world slump? We’ve compiled a great list of ways to stay healthy on the job!

1. Link exercise to your daily routine

This is the number one tip Susan Holmberg, a specialist for behavior change for weight management, has for women who want to work exercise into their day: Hook your “workout” onto something you're going to do anyways!

It’s pretty obvious, but working some exercise into your day in the way that you get yourself to the office is an easy (and free!) way to make sure you’re staying healthy. If your office is way too far to walk to, consider getting off the bus or train a stop or two early so you walk a bit more than you normally would. If you drive to work, consider parking a few blocks away instead of right near your building.

If that’s not realistic for you, try incorporating exercise in other ways. For instance, if you can walk up to your floor instead of riding the elevator, you’re building easy cardio into your routine a few times a day. Stuck on the 20th floor of a high rise? Consider taking the elevator to the 15th floor and walking the last five flights or walking up the escalator instead of standing still.

On ground level? Use a kitchen or bathroom that isn’t close to your desk. “I used to work in an office with several floors,” Holmberg says. “For two years, every time I had to use the bathroom, I walked up two flights of stairs to the other end of the hallway!” It seems silly, but you can create a habit of anything if you do it enough times.

Or, give yourself a reward! There’s nothing wrong with a little self-bribery. “I’m a coffee addict, and I’m just going to have my coffee no matter what,” Holmberg says. “But, in order to get my coffee, I make sure I walk the half a mile to Starbucks each day. I’m doing something that I would do anyways, but turning it into a way to get exercise.”

2. Take walking lunches

If you have a lunch break, consider spending it walking. Eat at your desk while you work, and then spend your actual break elevating your heart rate (in a good way, of course!). Keep your tennis shoes in your desk drawer, throw on your headphones and go for a 20- to 30-minute walk. Walking increases your endorphin and serotonin levels, plus research has proven that a brisk, daily walk is associated with better cholesterol ratios and lower blood pressure.

“I have about 90 seminars related to my work that are downloaded onto my iPhone, and I listen to them as I walk,” Holmberg says. “Because I’m honed in to work-related materials, I don’t feel like I’m wasting my time, and I’m distracted while I’m walking.”

If the point of your lunch is to escape work, listen to NPR, the latest episode of your favorite podcast or a book on tape instead.

If you have a more flexible workday or a longer lunch break, you may even be able to sneak in a full workout. Take advantage of that in-office gym and shower, or consider joining a yoga studio in close proximity to your office.

3. Adjust your monitor

Staring at a screen for too long each day can cause worsening eyesight and computer vision syndrome (CVS)— eye and vision problems directly related to long-term computer use. For those of you glued to a computer all day, try adjusting your monitor settings to avoid straining your pupils more than necessary.

According to Gary Heiting, optometrist and senior editor at All About Vision, the brightness of your screen should match the lighting in your office. To test your settings, look at a blank text document. If it’s glowing, like a source of light, your monitor is too bright. If the white is dull and gray, it’s too dark. Try adjusting your color temperature as well—reducing this setting lowers the blue light emission, which is a short wavelength light that increases eyestrain.

Even if you don’t wear glasses or contacts, the American Optometric Association (AOA) suggests considering asking your optometrist for lenses specifically for computer use, which adjust for glare and reflection. Those who already have eyesight problems are more susceptible to CVS and can request glasses or contact lenses that are tinted or coated for maximum comfort.

4. Give your eyes a break

Even though you’ve optimized your monitor, giving your eyes a break is crucial throughout the day, as it helps your eyes refocus. Heiting says to make sure you’re blinking a lot to keep your eyes moist, as we’re at risk for dry eye when using a computer frequently. Try to take mini breaks at least once every 20 minutes by simply closing your eyes for a few seconds or looking away for a moment. For longer breaks, the AOA recommends a 15-minute break for every two hours of computer use. You can try these two exercises:

1. Looking far away relaxes the focusing muscle inside the eye. To relax your eyes, simply gaze at a distant object for at least 20 seconds.
2. Look at a faraway object for 10 to 15 seconds, then focus on something close to you for another 10 to 15 seconds. Repeating this several times reduces the risk of your eyes focusing to lock up.

5. Drink plenty of fluids

We’ve all heard that you’re supposed to drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water every day. Doctors tend to disagree on whether the eight-by-eight rule is accurate, since you need varying amounts of water based on factors such as your diet, exercise and even the climate you live in. Regardless, it’s easy to forget to drink when you’re sitting immobile for the majority of your day. Make sure you’re staying hydrated by keeping a water bottle at your desk. Plus, drinking more water means walks to the kitchen and extra bathroom breaks—an excellent excuse to get out of your chair!

If drinking lots of water is tough for you, try adding fruit or herbs for flavor (raspberries and mint are great!) or purchasing an insulated water bottle that will keep your drink cold all day so it's that much more appealing.

6. Switch up your workspace

Sitting for too long puts pressure on your spine, and hunching over a keyboard can strain your neck, back and shoulders. If you feel comfortable, consider asking your HR department for an ergonomic workspace—the options range from desk treadmills to standing desks. Or, try propping your computer monitor up and spend periods of the day standing at your desk. Holmberg crafted her own standing desk out of a lap desk with collapsible legs that sits on top of her regular desk.

Where should you put your monitor? The AOA says, “Optimally, the computer screen should be 15 to 20 degrees below eye level (about 4 or 5 inches) as measured from the center of the screen and 20 to 28 inches from the eyes.”

You could also think about swapping out your chair for a giant exercise ball. While sitting on a ball, your body is consistently making tiny adjustments to stay properly perched, working your core muscles, improving your posture and helping with overall balance.

If you’re willing to shell out a little cash, consider an Isokinetics Ball Chair. Worried your coworkers will make fun of you? Consider this balance pad, which mimics the top of an exercise ball, and no one in your office will even notice!

7. Brown-bag it

Though it’s tempting to eat out every day, buying lunch often means you’re consuming food that isn’t as healthy—you don’t really know exactly what you’re putting in your body.

“When you prepare your own lunch every day, you're living with intent,” Holmberg says. “You're already acting before you get to work, or start your week, and that act of intent is helping you to eat healthily and reasonably.”

Leta Stevens, a 2012 graduate of Purdue University, brings all of her meals to her 8-5 (sometimes 8-7!) desk job. “I always bring lunch and two snack-sized meals, one for midmorning and one for midafternoon when I know I get a little hungry,” she says. “It can be a hassle sometimes to have everything prepared ahead of time, but it is truly worth it—I spend less money and overall I feel better because I'm making healthy choices day-in and day-out, without giving myself room for excuses like not having a healthy alternative with me to eat.”

Another easy, calorie-saving tip? “I keep packs of Truvia and stevia drops at my desk so I can sweeten my black coffee,” Leta says. “It makes it easy to avoid artificial sweeteners and creamers!”

8. Walk and work

Getting in your exercise while being productive is the best of both worlds. Holmberg is a huge fan of moving meetings—she often walks with her clients for their hour-long session each week. If you think your coworkers might be interested, suggest taking a walk around your office or a stroll down the street to a coffee shop while talking business. It’s a win-win for everyone!

9. Take mini exercise breaks

If you have your own office, taking mini breaks and squeezing in five-minute workouts is very feasible—all you have to do is close your office door. Holmberg suggests getting an exercise stepper that you can store under your desk or handheld 3- to 5-pound weights. Mini steps are perfect for 60 to 90 seconds of high-intensity exercise, which are ideal for a quick break.

“One minute of high-intensity cardio actually burns more fat post-exercise than anything else you can do!” Holmberg says. “Plus, this type of workout doesn't stress your adrenals or create stress hormones!”

No matter where you work, remember how important it is to consciously stay healthy when you’re cooped up in an office all day!

December is a time for making resolutions and looking ahead with optimism. It’s also a good time to relax. So with those two ideas in mind, we propose that you plan your relaxation for 2016 over the coming holiday season, and we’d like to suggest that you start with the king of entertainment, the movies. Here's a guide to what fun you can expect on the silver screen in the new year.  

1. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

What a title! This upcoming film offers a modern twist on the early 19th century classic, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. The concept for this film was taken from the book of the same name written by Seth-Grahame Smith, which is a parody of the original. The big difference: there are zombies galore in this version. Plus, it's safe to say that there will be plenty of badass women absolutely killing it, no pun intended!

2. Zoolander 2

Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and Hansel (Owen Wilson) return in this comedy to continue modeling... but things don’t go as planned after a rival company tries to put an end to their careers for good. If you've seen the the first film in this series, you’ll definitely want to catch this sequel when it comes out in early February!

3. How to Be Single

Shout out to all the single ladies... this one's for you! No hate against those in relationships though, we promise you’ll enjoy this one too. Based on the book of the same name by Liz Tullicco, this modern tale features young people trying to navigate finding relationships in New York City, the city of love. Starring Rebel Wilson and Dakota Johnson (coming off of her success with Fifty Shades of Grey) we have a feeling this film won’t disappoint in the comedy department.

4. The Divergent Series: Allegiant

In the third installment of the Divergent trilogy, Beatrice “Tris” Prior (Shailene Woodley) and Tobias “Four” Eaton (Theo James) attempt to survey what remains outside of the fence in Chicago, with great trepidation.

Bonus: Heartthrobs Theo James and Ansel Elgort will both be returning to play their respective roles.

5. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice

In this follow-up to 2013’s Man of Steel, Batman and Superman will be joining forces to combat crime as another threat emerges. While Henry Cavill will reprise his role as Superman, Ben Affleck will be playing the sought-after role of Batman, as announced earlier this year. We’ll have to wait and see whether he can fill the shoes left by Christian Bale. Bonus: Gal Gadot will be joining the cast in the iconic role of Wonder Woman.

6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

After waiting nearly twelve years to get confirmation about a possible sequel to the first film, we are finally going to be able to see the follow-up now, two years later. If you haven’t seen the first film, you'd best watch it before the sequel comes out in March—it seriously won’t disappoint. 

7. The Jungle Book

One of your all-time favorite children’s movies is getting adapted to the big screen again, but this time it'll be produced as a feature film. Because it's a live-action film and most of the locations will be computer generated, it seems like it'll do a fantastic job of bringing the world created by Rudyard Kipling, the author of the book, to life on the silver screen.

8. Alice Through the Looking Glass

Adapted from the book Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Caroll, this film is a sequel to the 2010 film Alice in Wonderland, based on the fantasy novel of the same name. Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter will return for their respective roles as Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the evil White Queen.

9. Finding Dory

This animated film will definitely be a huge hit at theaters next summer! It's a spin-off of the hugely popular movie Finding Nemo, which we were introduced to in 2003. The difference is that it will be told from the perspective of Dory, and will follow her as she goes on a journey to be reunited with her family. Although it has been over ten years since the release of the first film, the events in this film will pick up a year or so after what occurred at the end of the first one. Bonus: Ellen Degeneres will return to voice Dory as will Albert Brooks, voicing the character of Marlin.

10. Ghostbusters

In this reboot of the Ghostbuster franchise, funny ladies Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate Mckinnon, and Leslie Jones battle ghosts after they invade Manhattan. What could be better than seeing actresses like these who are at the top of their game kicking (ghost) butt? Nothing, which is why we are so excited to see this remake when it is released over the summer. While the story is framed differently than the original films, it does follow the same concept, so fans of the first two films will definitely catch onto this one quickly despite its modern touch.

11. Suicide Squad

Compared to other superhero films, here we get to witness notorious super villains saving the day, as opposed to their hero counterparts. With an all-star cast of Jared Leto, Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jai Courtney, and British newcomer Cara Delevingne among others, it'll definitely be one to watch. While it will be a treat to see how the whole cast performs, it will be particularly interesting to see Jared Leto’s metamorphosis into the wicked Joker.

12. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

With the conclusion of the Harry Potter series, fans needed to see another world brought to life by J.K. Rowling in order to make the withdrawal easier, which is where this book comes in. Want to know the best part? This story is, in a sense, a prequel to the Harry Potter saga as it reveals information about magical creatures and their world—all before Harry comes along. Hold tight a little bit longer because the official announcement for the trailer will be released on Dec. 15!

13. Moana

At this year's DP3 Expo, the world was introduced to Moana, the first princess of Polynesian descent to appear in a Walt Disney Company production. In contrast to other Disney films featuring a princess, Moana will have an original plot of its own and won’t be adapted from an existing story.

Which film are you most looking forward to seeing, collegiettes?

Chances are, your history major friends are on lockdown in the library now that we're in the midst of finals. Well, now's the perfect time to brighten your history-loving friend's day with a gift ONLY a history major would appreciate—check out our top 15 picks, below!

1. An insect fossilized in amber from the Oligocene period, $29.99

Give your friend a gift that's 23-33 million years old! 

2. This hysterical historical travel cup, $22.99

With what is possibly the best FDR New Deal pun off all time. 

3. Or this mug for when you're feeling ~ sassy~, $13 

4. An ornament not-so-suited for your mother's Christmas tree, $22.60

Tell it how it is this holiday season. 

5. A shirt that expresses your love for some of the best female historical figures of all time, $28

The perfect gift for your favorite feminist. 

6. Or this puzzle set inspired by even more great female historians, $20

These unique 3D wooden puzzles are based on Cleopatra's asp and pyramid, Queen Victoria’s cross, Boadiceas's chariot wheels, Florence Nightingale's lamp and Marie Curie's asteroid. 

8. This senior superlative shirt, $20

A piece of clothing any history major could appreciate. 

9. Or a glass celebrating the Constitution (for when you want to drink patriotically), $12.50 

Hint: it's also available in the Declaration of Independence.

10. This miniature replica of the Roman Forum Columns, $24.95

Get ready for an in-depth lesson into the fall of the Roman Empire from whomever you gift this to. 

11. Or this equally as interesting Trojan Horse sculpture, $34.95

Complete with ~real~ Greek and Trojan battle scenes designed in the wood. 

12. A book that ranks the 150 most important inventions ever, $14.95

Duct tape is #101. This is sure to be a good read. 

13. A poster perfect for quickly referencing basic facts about the Colosseum, $39

You know, for when you need that sort of thing.

14. This historically accurate print of George Washington riding a dinosaur, $9.98

Very authentic.

15. An inspiring message from our girl Eleanor Roosevelt, $17.99

To most people I seem like an ordinary college student, but if you saw me at home you would probably think something totally different. I’ve got a secret, one that I’ve hidden pretty well from people at school. My boyfriend has a three-year-old daughter, which makes me a step-mom-to-be. So yeah, at 20-years-old, I’m learning how to be a step-mom.

My plan for life definitely did not include this. For most people I don’t think that life necessarily goes according to plan though. So, how did I, a seemingly normal girl end up as an almost-step-parent while in college? The short story is…I fell in love with my best friend, at the wrong time.

I met *John when I was in sixth grade, and from the moment that I met him there was something that made me fall for him. Maybe it was the twinkle in his gorgeous blue eyes, or the fact that he dealt with me through my awkward middle school years, either way, he was definitely my middle school crush.

Fast forward a few years to eleventh grade, John texted me and said something that blew my mind. He told me that his girlfriend was pregnant, and that they were going to run away together. I was in total disbelief. My heart sank into my stomach, and I was angry, upset, and shocked all at once. I loved him, and he obviously loved his girlfriend…any chance I had with him was gone, or so I thought.

Our friendship changed a lot after that. I wanted to distance myself from him, but it hurt so much either way, either I lost him or I remained friends with him even though it shattered my heart. A lot was changing for him too, which I didn’t think about. Their relationship was crumbling behind walls, and they ended up breaking up at the end of her pregnancy.

Once John and his daughter’s mother broke up things were really weird. I didn’t want to be around him for a while, but at the same time I wanted to see him constantly. About a month after they broke up, and his daughter was born, I went over to his house to see him. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but then it happened, he kissed me.

On top of everything being weird, things just got a lot more difficult. Did I still want to date him? Of course I did, everything in my mind and heart told me so. But there was a slight hesitation when I remembered that he had a child now, and we were in two totally separate worlds.  We decided to take a shot at this, and see where it would go. Neither of us were really sure we could make a relationship last with all that had happened, and I was terrified to risk our friendship. It was work the risk though, and three years later, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I was called a lot of things at school when people found out we were dating. Homewrecker is still the word that makes my heart sink. Was I a homewrecker? No, but to the people that said it, it didn’t matter. I was accused of being pregnant several times throughout our first year dating, even by my own parents. I didn’t know if I was strong enough to do this anymore. On top of all of this, John finished high school online so he could see his daughter during the day, so I was at school facing these rumors and names alone.

John and his ex went to court several times over different things, child support, custody and more custody.  I never went with him, and I never asked him about it unless he brought it up first. Is that something I’m allowed to ask about, or is it private? It was better not to risk it, so I just tried to talk about something else. All I knew at that point was that his ex seemingly wanted to make things as difficult as possible, and I just had to stand by and let them argue and go to court time and time again.

Once summer hit I was starting to see John and his daughter a lot more. I would see her once in a while during the school year, but never enough to really interact with her. I wasn’t sure where I belonged, or if I even did. I didn’t fit into their family, and this definitely wasn’t my idea of a family, but something made me stay. His daughter definitely started to grow on me after that summer, and we started to go out in public as a ‘family’ more. I would notice glares that people shot me across the restaurant, or the loud and judgmental sighs when she would cry and I couldn’t console her. I wanted to scream “Stop judging me, I’m not a bad person!” from my top of my lungs just about every day that year.

Then came time for me to go off to college. John was commuting to a school I pushed him to go to, so that he could stay at home and raise his daughter but still get an education. I opted to go to a school 100 miles away, which turned our already odd relationship into a long-distance one as well. School gave me a fresh start, no one here was going to call me a homewrecker or shoot me dirty looks for no reason. The further I got along in school, the guiltier I was starting to feel. I hadn’t told anyone about John’s daughter. I talked loads about him, but I was never sure how to bring her up, so I just didn’t. That decision was slowly eating away at me.

I would go home and see John and his daughter when I was able to, and go back to school and be a "normal" college student. I was pretty content keeping my two worlds separate, but I was constantly scared that somehow someone would find out and judge me again. So to keep myself from feeling eaten up inside I told a few of my very close friends. The responses were exactly what I expected, a judgmental "what?!" and a long pause of silence before "wait, are you serious?" Not exactly the confidence boost I was hoping for, so after that I decided to not tell anyone unless I really felt I could trust them completely.  I’ve told a few people since then, a couple of friends and a professor that I really trust. I don’t think it’s something I need to tell everyone, though sometimes I wish that I had the confidence to.

My relationship with John is really weird at times. I’ve done things I wouldn’t expect to and had to deal with things I wouldn’t expect. I’m still trying to figure out what my position in her life is. It’s quite probable that I’ll be her step-mom one day, and that’s quite intimidating. I always associated step-mother with evil and wicked, maybe I watched too many Disney movies, which makes me worry that’s how she’s going to think of me one day. The thoughts of going to court and custody battles is a painful reality. There’s a lot of questions I can’t answer but the only thing that I know for certain is that I love John and his daughter, and while we may not be perfect, this is the reality that we live in.

*Names have been changed.

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Ed Sheeran, Karlie Kloss, Selena Gomez, Lena Dunham... Taylor Swift is basically friends with the entire world. But how does she do it? Here are some tips for being the best friend EVER, from the squad queen herself.

1. Have only good things to say about your friends

Best. Friendship. Ever.

2. Be their biggest fan

Taylor was happier than Lorde was when the "Royals" singer won a VMA.

3. Grab a cold one

Friends who cheers together stay together.

4. Find friends who will do silly things with you...

...and who make you feel comfortable.

If you can't be yourself around your friends, when can you just be you?

5. Be there for your friends every step of the way

Believe in them and hold their hand when they're scared.

6. Don't underestimate the power of a hug...

...or two...

...or three.

7. When your friends set you up... trust them

If it weren't for Ellie Goulding, Taylor and Calvin would probably never have met. *shudder*

8. Immortalize all of your memories

Selfie or it didn't happen.

9. Throw killer house parties

Swans optional.

10. Twin with your bestie

Even if it means wearing matching turtlenecks. (Let's be real, Taylor and Karlie can pull anything off.)

11. Remember to tell your friends how much you care

Sometimes all they need is a little reminder.

While it is true that Taylor Swift writes amazing breakup anthems (“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” anyone?) as well as heartfelt love ballads, not all of her songs are about romantic relationships. In fact, many of Taylor’s best-known songs have nothing to do with a love interest. Instead, they’re about self-confidence and girl power. It’s time we recognize Taylor for her empowering songs that aren’t about a guy. Here are our favorites:

1. “Shake It Off”

“Shake It Off” is Taylor’s response to her haters, and we have to say, the catchy tune is pretty inspiring. “I’ve learned a pretty tough lesson that people can say whatever they want about us at any time, and we cannot control that,” Taylor said before premiering the song. “The only thing we can control is our reaction to that.” Have truer words ever been spoken?

2. “Welcome to New York”

“Welcome to New York” is all about following your heart and achieving your dreams. The line, “And you can want who you want/Boys and boys and girls and girls” shows Taylor’s support for the LGBTQ+ community. Plus, she is donating all of the proceeds from the single to the NYC Department of Education. Now that’s empowering.

3. “22”

“22” is the perfect song for a girls’ night out. It’s fun, upbeat, and sassy, and it encourages girl power. Taylor dedicated the track to her close friends Dianna Agron and Selena Gomez, because who needs a SO when you’re busy having fun with your besties? Taylor talked to Billboard about being 22, saying, “I like all the possibilities of how you're still learning, but you know enough. You still know nothing, but you know that you know nothing. You're old enough to start planning your life, but you're young enough to know there are so many unanswered questions.”

4. “New Romantics”

In a similar fashion to that of “Shake It Off,” “New Romantics” addresses the criticism aimed at Taylor and her fans. It also references the pop culture movement known as New Romanticism. In the song, she puts a positive spin on teenage heartbreak. Taylor sings, “We are too busy dancing/To get knocked off our feet.” We couldn’t agree more.

5. “Mean”

Before “Shake It Off,” there was “Mean.” This song is Taylor’s original answer to those critics who doubted her. In a video preview, Taylor explained: “There’s constructive criticism, there’s professional criticism, and then there’s just being mean. And there’s a line that you cross when you just start to attack everything about a person… And dealing with that is all that you can control, how you handle it. This song is about how I handle it.” The track aims to prevent bullying, and it encourages self-empowerment. 

6. “Long Live”

“Long Live” is a triumphant song about the importance of cherishing meaningful moments. It’s about making memories, and it’s also about being remembered. The song is applicable to many significant events in a collegiette’s life, from homecoming to graduation.

7. “Change”

Taylor wrote “Change” about her dreams of success, despite the fact that she was signed to the smallest record label in Nashville. And just look where she is now! Things definitely did change for Taylor. The song was later chosen as a 2008 Summer Olympics theme, and Taylor donated all proceeds to the United States Olympic team.

Taylor Swift: empowering collegiettes everywhere. 

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a total rookie, when it comes to the world of dating, there are certain signs that can tell you whether or not a relationship is going to last. As college women, we tend to take the possibility of commitment a bit more seriously than we did in our middle school days, and the men we choose to date aren’t based off of how they rank on the popularity scale. No, we look for the guys we are actually compatible with; ones that will make us laugh, buy us food and let us watch endless seasons of Friends without complaining.

We want the boys who are more than just boyfriends – they are our best friends.

Here are 24 signs your SO is also your BFF.  

1. They finish your sentences and read your mind.

It's actually kind of freaky.

2. They know when you're upset without you saying anything.

No matter how hard you try to hide it.

3. They’re the first person you want to talk to whenever something exciting happens.

And will act just as excited just to make you happy.

4. You are 100 percent comfortable with them seeing you looking like a total mess.

Sweatpants, hair tied, chilling with no makeup on.

5. You can talk to them about anything, anytime.

Hi, just called to say hi again. 

6. You can ALWAYS make each other laugh, even about the dumbest things.

The inside jokes are neverending.

7. They accept your annoying habits wholeheartedly.

Like making them late to almost every dinner reservation you've ever made.

8. You trust them completely, even with your biggest secrets.

Even the ones no one else knows.

9. They help you put things in perspective when you’re about to lose it.

Like having your own personal chill pill.

10. They make you want to be a better person.

You're still your own role model, but they inspire you, too!

11. They care about your family and actually enjoy spending time with them.

And have endured more than one awkward family gathering.

12. They’ll talk to you on the phone for hours, even if you have nothing important to say.

Want to hear what happened to me at the library today?

13. They’ll travel ridiculous distances to spend the smallest amount of time with you.

Three hours driving time for one hour together = totally worth it.

14. They’re friends with your friends.

If you wanna be my lover, you've got to get with my friends.

15. They’ll let you share your opinions, even if they don’t agree.

And try not to argue, even when they know you're wrong.

16. They’ll endure endless couple pics just so you can get the perfect IG.

Let's show everyone how cute we are!

17. They’ll do you last-minute favors without asking for anything in return.

Like when you lock your keys in the car for the fifth time.

18. They know when you’ve reached your limit at a party.

Oh, come on, I can handle one more drink.

19. ...and when you’ve gone way past it. 

Just kidding, you were totally right. Never let me drink again.

20. You talk every day but never run out of things to talk about.

What'd you have for lunch today? How's your mom? Did you do well on your exam?

21. They’ll stay in with you even when everyone else is going out.

Skip the bars and snuggle with me!

22. They celebrate your smallest accomplishments.

"You made it to your 8 a.m.?! Congrats, babe!"

23. They don’t judge you for your past mistakes.

The past is the past.

24. They let you be yourself in every situation and never try to change you.

Because they love you for you.

Let's face it—you wear the heck out of your glasses. But however fabulous you may look, good vision comes at a price. From breaking your glasses to not seeing a thing without them, life isn't always easy for us poor-sighted collegiettes. Here are just some of the things that happen when you sport those specs.

1. When your friends want to try your glasses "for fun."

UGH, they are not a toy! Also, now you're blind.

2. When you can't remember where you put them down before bed.

Obviously, you need your glasses to find your glasses, but you can't find your glasses without your glasses. When will this nightmare end?!

3. When people tell you you look like Harry Potter.

Thanks. Thanks a lot.

4. When you look less like Beyoncé...

...and more like this confused fella:

5. When you try to convince yourself that your glasses are in fact a fashion statement.

#HipsterStatus

6. When this actually happened to you and you actually wanted to die.

7. When people just assume you're a genius because you wear glasses.

We love you, Bey, but that is not how things work for us mortals.

8. When you have to wear 3D glasses over your real glasses.

The struggle is so real—not to mention 3D doesn't even change anything most of the time.

9. When your frame is too loose and your glasses slide down your nose.

Granddad look? Check.

10. When you poke yourself in the eye.

Owwwww.

11. When you can just feel a breakout coming on under your glasses.

And there's nothing you can do about it.

What's your biggest glasses struggle, collegiettes?

Name: Tani Brown
Age: 27
Job Title and Description: Head of Partnerships at Jopwell
College Name/Major: Princeton University/B.A. in Religion and Certificate in African-American Studies
Website: www.jopwell.com
Twitter Handle: @jopwell

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

Tani Brown: My job entails building a strong pipeline of partner companies from across the U.S. who use Jopwell to connect with, recruit and hire diverse candidates. Our platform helps leading companies connect with underrepresented minority students and professionals for employment opportunities. A big part of my job is making sure that a range of businesses – from bulge-bracket banks to tech companies to hospitals, for example  – are represented on the platform.

This might involve traveling across the country to talk with the head of HR for a Fortune 500 about how their recruiters can leverage Jopwell, or it might mean hopping on a call with a candidate to chat through how Jopwell can support her career goals.

What is the best part of your job?

TB: I love knowing that everything we do on a daily basis is contributing to making America’s workforce more colorful.   

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

TB: My first entry-level job was in sales at Google. I was a display account coordinator when video and display advertising had just started to become popular, and I’d help retail companies figure out how to include digital advertising in their marketing strategies.

The funny story behind that job is that I came across it on Craiglist. I saw a posting for a temp agency filling a sales positions and applied. A Google recruiter ended up bringing me on as a contractor, and I was extended a full-time offer as an account manager six months later.

What advice do you have for college women hoping to get into the world of startups and tech? What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about those industries since working at Jopwell?

TB: Get out and engage with the world in order to create technology, experiences and products that can critically improve the lives of others. I left Google to complete a Fulbright in Vietnam, where I worked directly with underserved minority groups. That experience made me want to continue working with underrepresented students and professionals. I’d encourage everyone to spend time honing your skills and strengths and to create opportunities for yourself by having the courage to ask questions. Your unique perspective matters.

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

TB: My mentor, Theresa Tran (former Director of Marketing for Jordan Brand). She taught me to be fearless and authentic and to consider my experience as a woman of color as a valuable resource. The most important thing she ever taught me, though, was the importance of kindness. Whether it’s the president or the janitor who cleans the office, everyone deserves the same amount of respect.

What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?

TB: “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” – John Wooden. I played basketball in college, which helped to instill the importance of setting short-term and long-term goals in my career. You can’t win every game, but preparation, teamwork and precision are invaluable to success.

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

TB: Getting to meet and develop relationships with some of the most respected, talented business leaders in the country – and having them believe in and support Jopwell. A close second was living with eight teammates in a house in San Francisco for three months last summer when Jopwell was in Y Combinator.

What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

TB: I look for individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and thoughts that ultimately challenge me to become better at my job. Self-awareness, or the ability to recognize oneself as separate from her own environment, is also really important.

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

TB: Take seriously all of the things that you don’t know yet. Create opportunities out of uncertainty.

Lastly, be grateful and pay it forward whenever possible. I left the office early the other day to speak to a group of New York City high school students at a career fair. The kids I chatted with were so insightful. I’d venture to guess that I learned more from them (about their perspectives on college, career prep and trending YouTube stars) than they did from me! 

For those of you who have paid your dues, taken on unpaid internships and finally landed a job thanks to the valuable experience you gained, this one is for you. Now that you’re working a full-time gig, there’s a huge possibility that you will be able to hire interns for your department or use a company intern to help you on a project. Since you’ve been an intern before, it’s important not to lose sight of what it was like to be the lowest and youngest person at the company. If you need more tips on how to help your intern succeed, keep reading!

1. Remember what it’s like to be in an intern’s shoes

You’ve been in your interns’ shoes before and it isn’t easy to be the lowest rank on the company totem poll. Your own experience has taught you how to make the most of an internship, so don’t forget exactly what it took you to get from intern to full-time staffer.

“As someone who works with the interns, I try really hard to be friendly and relatable,” says Rachel Kossman, a 2011 graduate from Northeastern University who works as an associate editor at DAYSPA magazine. “I know how tough it can be as the baby at a company, but I'm only four years out of college, so I remember what it was like to be in that place!”

The more available and understanding you are as a manager, the more comfortable your interns will feel around you and at the company. This provides an environment for interns to feel like they are part of a team and not just an underpaid (or unpaid!) worker.

2. Don’t treat them as a gofer

Your intern is there to gain experience that will help them get a full-time job in the future, so don’t make them get your coffee every morning and fetch papers from the printer when you don’t feel like taking the walk. They want to gain real-life experiences that they can put on their resumes, like learning a new set of skills or helping lead on a small project; things they can speak of during important interviews.

It’s kind of a slap in the face to treat your intern as a gofer, and not only is it a reflection of you as a supervisor, but it’s a reflection of the type of company you work for as well. You don’t want your intern to go home and tell their friends how their internship is going only to say that they spend more time at Starbucks than at their desk doing something valuable.

3. Know that you can rely on your interns

We know how busy a day at work can be. The printer is jammed and you really need that presentation deck in your hands rightthissecond. Your coworker just sent you an email with the subject line “URGENT.” Your manager is on you because XYZ need to be looked at and you feel like your head is spinning because the work keeps piling up. Don’t forget that you have an intern! Feel free to call them in for a quick meeting to discuss more work they may be able to take on. Remember that they’re there as a member of your team and though they might be sitting at their desk a little bored because they finished their tasks, they may be too scared to ask for more responsibility.

4. Involve interns in as many projects as possible

Experience is a major reason why undergrads and even college grads take on internships. All full-time and even some part-time jobs require a few years of experience, and internships are a great way to beef up any resume. Interns are there to help in any way possible and they have a drive to prove themselves as a valuable part of the staff. Give them every opportunity to show what they have learned, what they still need to learn and what they can do without any assistance. It will make you feel good as a supervisor and it will make them feel like they’re contributing in a big way.

“Having an intern on your team comes with a lot of responsibility,” says Michael Friedlander, an Information Services Manager at Reckitt Benckiser. “You should make sure that the projects assigned are meaningful to the intern and give them assignments where they can combine what they learned in school with what’s needed in the workforce.”

5. Be honest with feedback

Remember when you were an intern and you wanted to hear how you were doing? You may have been too scared to ask for a meeting or you thought your manager may have been too busy to actually evaluate you. While that might have been the case, as a supervisor to your intern, you owe it to them to set up an evaluation meeting and be honest with your feedback. Will they move on to a full-time staff role at the company? If not, why? What areas should they work on in a future internship, and what tasks are they excelling at? Are they enjoying the work? Answering these questions will give your intern a chance to work on the things they need to improve upon, and ultimately, it’ll show them that you’re looking out for them.

Whether you invite your intern to weekly editorial meetings or make it a point to give them meaningful work day after day, there are tons of different ways you can apply your experience from being an intern to successfully managing your own interns. Don’t forget about the time you put in before you started working full-time; so stay open, understanding, motivating and available—and you and your interns will make a great team!

The holiday season is finally here, and you know what that means! Now is the time to bake our little hearts out. December is the perfect month to hold holiday cookie swap parties with your friends, bake for those who are important to you or just to treat yourself. Here are 32 scrumptious recipes you have to try.

Peppermint Shortbread Cookies

These Mom on Timeout cookies put a minty twist on the classic shortbread cookies you already love. Plus, they're just right for a cookie swap.

Eggnog Cookies

If you love a nice glass of spicy eggnog by the fire, then these cookies from Chef-in-Training are for you. What’s better than a chilled glass of eggnog? A warm cookie, of course! 

White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies

Surprise your holiday guests with a very uncommon ginger cookie. These Cooking Classy treats are sure to be a crowd pleaser and at the top of everyone’s favorite cookies list. The cute holly leaf design is an added touch; however, you can get creative with these and decorate them any way you'd like! 

Peppermint White Chocolate Pudding Cookies

Pudding in the mix creates extra moist cookies that are sure to please everyone this holiday season. The cooling peppermint smooths out the creamy white chocolate. Let The Baker Mama show you exactly how to add the perfect amount of pudding into the mix. 

Italian Anisette Cookies

These Amanda's Cookin' cookies are an annual must. Italian Anisette cookies are light and not super filling, so feel free to eat a few extra! 

Whoville Cookies

These festive cookies will have you feeling like you're a part of the Whoville community. The red and green swirl of colors will have you spreading holiday cheer with every bite! Although these cookies look difficult to make, Midget Momma has very clear instuctions for every level of baker. 

Grinch Cookies

These tasty cookies from In Katrina's Kitchen are made with cake mix, making them super fluffy. The tiny Grinch heart should put you in the giving mood this holiday season, too. 

Cranberry Orange Cookies

These cookies from Your Homebased Mom provide a bit of sunshine in the cold winter months. The orange should remind you that the warmer months are not as far away as they seem, and the cranberry is evocative of the holiday season. These cookies are sure to be a new crowd favorite.

Raspberry Almond Cookies

Raspberry almond is another one of those classic flavors you just have to have around the holiday season. You'll be baking batches of these Parent Pretty sweets in no time. 

Holiday Cake Mix Cookies

Cake mix cookies are absolutely delicious. With these Parent Pretty goodies, you get the fluffy texture of cake in the form of a cookie. It’s the best of both worlds. This recipe can be used year round by substituting the holiday colors of the candy pieces for any color you chose! 

Related: How to Make Your Own Cookie Butter (Using Any Cookie!)

Christmas Tree Peanut Butter Blossoms

Java Cupcakes adds a decorative twist to your favorite peanut butter kiss cookies.With a bit of green frosting, a steady arm and a dash of sprinkles, you can create these peanut butter tree cookies.

Chocolate Crinkles

Another favorite that is sure to please everyone this holiday season, this Simply Recipes creation is foolproof. 

Snowdrop Cookies

These Right at Home snowdrop cookies are also commonly known as Mexican wedding cookies or Russian teacake cookies. But looking like a snowball is enough to make them the perfect holiday cookies.

Thumbprint Snowman Cookies

These cookies are almost too cute to eat. This In Katrina's Kitchen recipe is also loads of fun and would make for a great girls night in activity.

Hot Cocoa Cookies

If you can turn a drink into a cookie, then why not do it, right? These Glorious Recipes cookies taste just like hot chocolate. We suggest snacking on them while sitting by the fire on a snowy day. 

Holiday Present Cookies

These Family Fresh Meal cookies are sure to surprise your guests. Fill them with a special holiday surprise, and they're sure to please. 

Gingerdoodles

A cross between snickerdoodles and gingersnaps, these Budding Baketress cookies are absolutely delicious! It's a tasty twist on two classic favorites. 

Cherry Chocolate Kiss Cookies

The cherries in this Frugal Mom Eh mix create a gorgeous eye-popping red. Chocolate + cherries = yum!

Peppermint Mocha Cookies

You can now enjoy your favorite Starbucks drink in cookie form. No lie: these Baking a Moment cookies taste exactly like Starbuck's peppermint mocha.

Holiday Stained-Glass Cookies

You can create so many different designs with this Evermine recipe. The edible stained-glass is sure to impress, too.

Christmas Peppermint Patties

Charlie Brown fans, these Mom on Timeout sweet treats are for you. 

Gingerbread

It isn't the holiday season without some gingerbread cookies, so this EHow recipe is a must. Plus, this has to be the quickest and easiest gingerbread recipe we've ever seen!

Red Velvet Cookies

Who doesn't love red velvet? Thanks to Rachel Cooks we can enjoy these all season long.

Red Velvet Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

If a plain red velvet cookie just isn't doing it for you, Delightful E Made has an amazing alternative. The chunks of candy canes add a minty touch to the sweet red velvet. 

Brownie Sugar Cookies

These awesome Whole and Heavenly Oven cookies combine another two of our favorites: sugar cookies and brownies! We're trying these, like, immediately. 

Pecan Crescent Cookies

We have a feeling Santa might like these Lady Behind the Curtain cookies. Bonus: they just so happen to look great sitting on a plate by the Christmas tree.

Marble Sugar Cookies

You can get very creative with this Two Sisters Crafting recipe. The marbling of the colors is super festive, and the dough can be cut into tons of different holiday shapes.

Dreidel Surprise Cookies

These cookies from Table Spoon are perfect for Hanukkah. Stuff them with an extra surprise for maximum delight.

Tree Meringue Cookies

These cookies from The Silly Girl's Life could pass for edible Christmas decorations. They're way too festive not to try this holiday season. 

Hanukkah Glitter Cookie Balls

Save this Martha Stewart recipe because the colors of these cookies can be changed to fit any special event.

Jam Filled Sugar Cookies

These Food and Wine jam-filled treats are sure to occupy every holiday cookie spread this season. 

Holiday Latte Cookies

Not only are these cookies adorable, but they're perfect for collegiettes. Definitely make these Klickitat Street sweets with your besties to see who can design the best Starbucks holiday cup.

He seems to have fun talking to you when you’re out with friends, but he only texts you after dark. Or maybe he calls you his girlfriend, but he’s been pretty distant lately. Maybe he only seems to notice you when he’s between relationships. What gives? Is he stringing you along?

If he is, there has to be an explanation. We talked to college guys and relationship experts to give you the lowdown on why that guy is keeping you around if he doesn’t want a relationship. Here are four reasons a guy might be stringing you along and how to tell if it’s happening to you.

1. He’s looking for something casual

College is the time to date around and figure out what you want in a significant other. While some of us may be ready to move forward with that plan a bit sooner, others would like to play the field a little longer.

“The most time-honored and tested reason to string someone along from a guy’s perspective is because he’s not totally committed to you or the relationship,” says Dr. Ish Major, psychiatrist, dating expert and author of Little White Whys. “He may possibly be seeing other people or he’s … not that serious and just wants to be involved with you in some capacity.”

Francis, a senior at Georgia Perimeter College, says that he doesn’t want to start anything serious in college. “I would prefer to avoid anything remotely resembling a relationship,” he says. “I’ll have plenty of time for that later, so there’s no need to rush it now.”

How to tell

Matchmaker and dating coach Jasbina Ahluwalia says that if a guy is stringing you along for this reason, there will be a noticeable lack of any kind of emotional connection on his end. “You have no idea how he feels about you,” she says. “He talks about himself but never asks anything about you, your thoughts or your desires.” A guy intent on keeping the relationship casual isn’t going to put in much work to try to get to know you.

He will also hesitate to put a clearly defined label on your relationship. “You’ll never be introduced as his girlfriend,” Dr. Major says. “You’ll always be introduced as ‘my good friend,’ ‘my dear friend,’ ‘my date’ or ‘the woman I’m dating.’ That’s his way of letting you and everyone in earshot know that he’s here with you, but it’s not that serious.”

Ahluwalia also says that if a guy never initiates anything other than physical intimacy, this is a good sign that he’s stringing you along.

Our Real Live College Guy Dale says, “Sometimes, when we’re not sure how we feel about someone (or totally know how we feel and are just using them for more physical means), we bait them along. Certain phrases get tossed around a lot to keep people waiting. If you hear your guy saying things like, ‘I’m not sure I’m ready yet,’ or, ‘I’m not saying never, but’… then pay attention.”

2. He doesn’t want to hurt your feelings

We absolutely hate it when guys do the fade-out thing, but letting a girl know he’s just not that into her is a difficult situation for all parties involved. If a guy knows that having this talk will hurt and upset you, or if he feels guilty that the sparks have fizzled out on his end, he may just keep quiet and hope you figure things out on your own.

“Some guys just don’t know how to let someone down,” Dale says. “Nobody wants to be the bad guy, you know? I don’t look forward to breaking things off with someone because more often than not, I’m not sure how attached they are. So in stringing along, our attempts at being the good guy end up making us the bad guy.”

Brad*, a Duke University senior, knows this all too well. Caught up in a friends-with-benefits situation that was quickly turning into something more on the girl’s side, Brad knew that something had to be done, but he found his willpower lacking.

“I knew she’d be upset about it,” he says. “I could tell she was falling for me, and I knew I didn’t feel the same way about her. I just couldn’t bring myself to say it, though.”

How to tell

If your guy starts ghosting, he may be stringing you along in an attempt to avoid hurting your feelings.

“He may disappear for weeks at a time,” Ahluwalia says. “He may be hesitant to commit to spending time together ahead of time, or he regularly cancels dates with little notice.”

Suddenly, he always seems to have something else to do, or he only invites you to hang out in groups. “You’ll see him be late often,” Dr. Major says. “He’ll include other people often, change or flat-out cancel dates or appointments with you. This lets you know that while you are included in his social calendar, you’re not a top priority.”

A guy might not cut things off with you completely, but these actions show that you’re no longer at the top of his list.

3. He’s not sure if you’re “the one”

A guy may see the potential for a future with you, but if he’s not totally sure, he’ll probably keep you around as an option until he’s sure he’s found the girl he wants to be with. “He wants to maintain a backup plan while he’s continuing to search for his Ms. Right,” Ahluwalia says.

Dr. Major says, “He’s keeping his options open. He’s not totally sure if you’re ‘the one’ he wants yet.”

How to tell

A guy who’s not sure if you’re the one for him will be careful about giving you that impression. For your part, you may be stuck wondering where the two of you stand. “He never refers to you as his girlfriend, even if you’ve been together for several months,” Ahluwalia says.

The most telling sign a guy is keeping you around because he’s just not sure about you is whether or not you’ve met any of the important people in his life.

“Never, and I do mean ever, will you meet his parents or any significant member of his family whose opinion he values,” Dr. Major says. “A guy has no interest in having that conversation with his mother or father about who you are and ‘where this is going’ unless he’s absolutely sure it’s heading for something more long-term.”

4. He’s using you as a rebound

Sometimes we may feel like we need a “transitional person” to help us move safely from one relationship to the next. Still, it sucks to realize the guy you thought had boyfriend potential was simply using you to get over someone else.

“When some guys are rejected or dumped, they go to their fallback girl,” says Michael*, a senior at Georgia Tech Lorraine. “The whole purpose of this girl is to reassure the guy. Once they feel like they can move on again, they will leave just as quickly as they came.”

For this guy, you’re simply there to help fill the void left from his previous relationship. He needs a way to distract himself, and you’re his solution.

“He’s with you out of a fear of being alone rather than a genuine interest in you as a person,” Ahluwalia says. “He’ll continuously go back and forth between choosing to spend time with [you] and wanting to run away from [you].”

If a guy is constantly coming back to you in between all of his failed relationships, you may be nothing more than a shoulder to cry on.

How to tell

Sometimes it seems as though he never stops talking about his ex or hating on other women in general. Ahluwalia says these are clear signs he’s rebounding.

What’s more, while he may be freshly out of a relationship, he’s not that keen on starting a new one. “He tells you he’s not looking for a commitment,” Ahluwalia says. “He’s using physical intimacy with you as a way to avoid dealing with his breakup and is not interested in any level of emotional intimacy.”

While it’s not necessarily true that nothing comes of all rebounds, if he’s showing any of these signs, you might want to reconsider your relationship (or lack thereof) with this person.

“These guys are much more concerned about repairing their feelings than attending to yours,” Michael says.

If you’ve figured out you’re being strung along and it’s not sitting right with you, it’s time to get clear about your expectations.

“You have to have ‘the talk’ about exclusivity,” Dr. Major says. “Say, ‘I really enjoy being with you and I’m not interested in seeing anyone else.’”

If a guy doesn’t respond favorably, then understand that it’s not your fault. “A guy not committing to you has very little to do with you,” Dr. Major says. “It’s mostly about where he is in his dating career right now. No matter how amazing a girl you are, if he’s just not ready, there’s nothing you’ll be able to do to him, with him or for him that will get him there.”

Navigating the world of relationships can be a tricky business. It’s important to be clear about what you want both to yourself and to the guys you’re considering. Keep these signs in mind to avoid being strung along in the future!

*Names have been changed.