There's nothing you don't share with your best friend: secrets, Netflix accounts and even the last slice of pizza. Sure, the ugly Snapchat may be the universal sign of an impenetrably close friendship... but you can do better.

That's why we've teamed up with Iconery, the online marketplace every jewelry obsessive has to know about, to give away the 14K gold Best Friends Heart necklace set—worth $825! Founded by the ultimate dream team—business maven Ivka Adam and Andrea Linett, a longtime powerhouse in the fashion industry—Iconery is the kind of cool, female-run company you need to support. Together, the duo sources coveted pieces from designers around the world, partnering with some of the most celebrated artists in the industry as well as supporting up-and-comers. You're not just getting the best in jewelry, though—you're getting jewelry made just for you. Every piece on the site is totally customizable, so you get your diamond ring, monogrammed necklace, pavé studs... exactly the way you want them.

Enter below now—and make sure your bestie enters, too, to double your chances of winning!

Looking for an accepting place to go to school, or even move to post-graduation? One of the most important aspects for a queer woman moving to a new place is to ensure that this city is accepting of LGBTQ+ people. So here’s a little guide to help you find the right place for you. We all know the major cities throughout the country are queer-friendly, but really, how realistic (and financially plausible) is it to move to a city such as New York or Los Angeles when you’re just starting out? Instead, here are some of the unexpected cities for queer women to live.

1. Salt Lake City, Utah

According to Advocate, Salt Lake City is one of the “queerest cities” in America.

Although Utah may seem like a pretty conservative state, Salt Lake City actually has a high percentage of LGBTQ+ population, meaning that finding queer friends and/or a partner won’t be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The LGBTQ+ population can be found in several neighborhoods, such as Mountain West, Sugar House, and the Avenues, so you don’t have to stick to one specific neighborhood in the city.

Every year, the Utah Pride Center—based in Salt Lake City—holds the Utah Pride Festival, an event that empowers and brings together the entire state to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

The city also shows its acceptance through its choice in politicians. The mayor, Jackie Biskupski, is openly gay! Way to go, Utah.

2. Lansing, Michigan

Voted one of the top LGBT-friendly cities in Michigan and the United States, this college town, home to Michigan State University, is perfect for someone looking for a small city to live in that is also accepting of who they are.

Every year Lansing celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with Michigan Pride, held by the organization of the same name whose mission is to educate and provide outreach and support to those in the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan.

Related: The Top 7 LGBT+-Friendly Cities

3. Atlanta, Georgia

This city likes to call itself the “epicenter of the LGBT South” with a strong and vibrant LGBTQ+ community. If you’re over 21, the city has a great party scene with inclusive bars and nightlife around the city. But if you aren’t into partying, or simply want to meet new people in a less hectic way, there are several queer-friendly businesses across the city that hold LGBTQ+ specific events where you can mingle and meet other queer people in the area.

If you’re moving to the city to start your life, there isn’t a specific neighborhood in Atlanta that is labeled the “gay neighborhood.” You can feel comfortable settling down throughout the city without ending up being the only queer person on the block.

4. Washington, D.C.

The capital city of the Land of the Free is very accepting of people from all walks of life. Whether you want to move to a queer-friendly city for college or want to move post-grad, D.C. is the city for you.

With a sizable amount of the population identifying as LGBTQ+, nearly 10 percent, you will fit right in. With a thriving theater and music scene, you won’t ever have to find something to do each night. If you want to keep active, there are also a lot of LGBT sports leagues where you can break a sweat and meet people with similar interests.

5. Honolulu, Hawaii

Although this city is not exactly financially realistic for people just starting out, it would be a great place to visit as a queer woman.

According to Vocativ, Honolulu has a large percentage of LGBTQ+ adults, while also having absolutely no hate crimes reported! So if you want to visit the city for some fun and want to beach it by day and party by night, you can enjoy the gorgeous sandy beaches and active nightlife throughout Honolulu.

6. New Orleans, Louisiana

This Southern city has an unexpectedly large queer population. There are over 19,000 queer people living in New Orleans and tons of things to do every day to meet them. The LGBTQ+ celebrations and nightlife are not your average parties—with no open container laws and bars that do not close, you can live it up to your heart's content. If partying isn't your thing, there are plenty of other things to enjoy around the city, such as theater, music and other events specifically for queer women.

When living in New Orleans, your best bets for a queer-friendly neighborhood have to be Faubourg Marigny, Bywater, Mid City and the French Quarter. Although more expensive than the rest of the state, you will find it cheaper than a lot of other places on both coasts.

The city, like most, celebrates Pride every June but also celebrates Southern Decandence every Labor Day weekend to honor the LGBTQ+ community.

These are just six of many queer-friendly cities across the nation, not to mention those around the globe. There are so many more places to go exploring and possibly even live—the possibilities are endless! We promise you'll find the right place for you.

Ever wonder what it's like to drive a car filled with the charismatic members of One Direction? Well, thanks to James Corden, 1D fans now know and are in a total frenzy.

Many die-hard One Directioners have only ever dreamed of being thisclose to the boys, but Corden has given us the next best thing. We can almost guarantee that 1D fans are pretty much melting into puddles of lust and laughter after watching the latest installment of The Late, Late Show's Carpool Karaoke series.

In the 13 minute video, we not only get to hear the boy band sing along to an impressive selection of their hit singles, but Corden joins them as an honorary fifth member, leaving us to be all, "Zayn, who?" From the matching denim shirts—meant to give 1D that true boy band look—to Corden's hilarious choreography for "No Control," we've never been more sure that this whole break idea is oh so wrong, a sentiment that Corden seconds throughout the video.

When he's not begging to join 1D or lamenting the band's upcoming hiatus, Corden asks Niall which celebs he would sleep with, take on a cruise or marry. His choices? Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Tina Fey. If you want to know his answer, you'll just have to watch the video to see for yourself. And don't miss Corden's fab freestyle rap to "Drag Me Down." It's beyond adorable and reason enough to make him a full-time member of the band.

Done with finals? Start your break with an amazing story from ProPublica and The Marshall Project, two powerhouses of investigative journalism.

“An Unbelievable Story of Rape” tells the story of Marie, a woman who grew up bouncing between foster parents and group homes before landing her own apartment at age 18. One day, she called the police and her foster parents, telling them she had been horrifically raped by a stranger who broke into her home. At first police investigated, but then they came to believe she was lying—and charged her with the crime of false reporting.

This story explores the horror that can occur when authorities don’t believe rape survivors: More victims, ruined lives, lasting trauma and criminals on the loose. It’s also a great example of how reporting on rape should be done—A counterexample to Rolling Stone’s huge errors when writing about rape at UVA.

Check out the full story here.

Missouri state representative Rick Brattin recently proposed legislature that would strip student athletes of their scholarships for refusing to play for anything "unrelated to health." 

Just a month ago, the University of Missouri faced protests from 30 black football players who refused to show up until, a few days later, President Tim Wolfe resigned. The importance of the athletes to the university was probably a huge factor in making the protests successful—Their refusal to play could have cost the university over $1 million if the team had actually had to foreit a game, according to the New York Times.

The law proposed by Brattin would revoke scholarships for student athlete protestors and would fine coaches that encourage these protests. 

This legislation comes at a time of racial tension on campuses, particularly University of Missouri, and the resulting peaceful protests against racism. It also comes in the wake of racist threats made on Yik Yak, and the resurgence of the Supreme Court battle over affirmative action. It's a time when protest is clearly needed, and certainly shouldn't be punished.

However, Brattin dropped the bill and is instead hopeful that it will continue to foster conversation “on what I believe is an extremely important topic," said Brattin. His decision to withdraw the legislature came as a surprise to co-sponsor Rep. Kurt Bahr, R-O’Fallon.

Remember college, when you could go out Friday night, stay out as late as you wanted and still be able to wake up Saturday morning? Not only that, you’d go for a run, hit the library… and then do it all over again. Now when you go out, you hardly have the energy to reach over and hit snooze on your alarm the next morning, much less actually get out of bed. Yep, you’ve officially hit your mid-20s, when your hangovers hurt that much more. We took a look at why this happens.

Why do hangovers get worse as you get older?

Your tolerance is lower

Once you enter the real world, you aren’t surrounded by alcohol like you were in college. Those frat parties, formals and tailgates are suddenly replaced with the occasional glass of wine with dinner or casual drinks with friends. Yet, for some reason, you feel the effects of alcohol no matter how much you drink. This is because the less alcohol you consume, the less accustomed your body is to it, so when you do go out drinking, the resulting headaches and nausea are that much worse.

“Older people can be snowed by alcohol amounts that hardly touched them when they were younger,” says Dr. Peter Martin, director of the Vanderbilt Addiction Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Ashley*, a graduette living in Boston, explains the differences she noticed after drinking in college compared to the effects she feels now. “In college, I could have three mixed drinks and barely feel tipsy, just because we would go out Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights,” she says. “Now that I only go out about once a week, when I have a glass of wine, I feel like I’m drunk, and [I’ll] even wake up with a headache. Just after one drink! Coming from college, you might expect that you can drink just like you used to, but you really can’t.”

Your body changes

Hangovers happen because alcohol dehydrates you—which in turn causes the headaches and general misery you feel the morning after. As you age, your body retains less water, so the aftermath of a night of heavy drinking gets that much worse.

According to Dr. Reid Blackwelder, board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians, “A lot of older people are borderline dehydrated. They have less body water just from the natural effects of aging.” And, unfortunately, your metabolism begins to slow down in your 20s, which causes your liver and kidney function to decrease. This, of course, does not help when you’re drinking lots of alcohol.

Sarah*, a college grad now living in New York City, noticed her metabolism gradually slowing over the last couple years. “In high school, I could eat whatever I wanted: candy, burgers, pizza … and not feel any effects,” she says. “Now, after a week of poor eating habits, I feel bloated and lethargic. Likewise, in college, I could drink whatever I wanted and as much as I wanted and be able to go out again the next night; maybe just with a slight headache. Now, not only do I get splitting headaches and feel nauseated, [but] since my body seems to take a longer time to process the alcohol, my hangover lasts twice as long.”

Luckily, there are a few ways to help those hangovers hurt less. Here’s how!

Before you start drinking, you need to…

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

If you want to prevent a headache in the morning, you need to hydrate before and while you drink alcohol. Since alcohol dehydrates you, you should alternate every other drink with a glass of water—you’ll thank yourself in the a.m.

Or, make yourself a drink that’ll do double duty. Try a wine spritzer—a mix of club soda and wine (it’s best with a citrusy wine such as sauvignon blanc) with a twist of lime tastes good and will help prevent that hangover.

Take your vitamins

Alcohol is a diuretic, so when you drink, you’re prone to losing nutrients and vitamins. The most important vitamin you need to replenish is Vitamin B12, as it is necessary for metabolizing alcohol. By taking Vitamin B12 supplements before going out, you’re preparing your body to break down the products of alcohol and help get rid of those terrible toxins in your system. Or, you can eat foods that are high in Vitamin B12, such as eggs, cheese and red meat.

If you already have a hangover, nurse it by…

Taking ibuprofen

Whether that pounding headache wakes you up at 5 a.m. or 10 a.m., take ibuprofen immediately (or at least one hour before you have to be productive). Be sure to avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol)—combined with alcohol, it can be damaging to your liver. Although you shouldn’t rely on ibuprofen every time you drink, if you have a splitting headache when you wake up, it should do the trick.

Hydrating again

After a night of drinking, you need to keep hydrating your body, even if you had plenty of water while out. Have something with electrolytes: Sports drinks, fruit juice or coconut water will jump-start the recovery process and keep you hydrated.

Amy*, a graduette living in Houston, swears by her hangover remedy. “No matter what time I get home, I set my alarm for 6 a.m. to wake up and take Advil, drink a bottle of water and then go back to sleep for another few hours,” she says. “When I wake up, I reach for a Gatorade and surprisingly feel ready to be productive. If I don’t rehydrate, I feel terrible and will stay in bed all day.”

Eating

In college, you likely ended your night with some kind of post-drinking binge eating. Whether it was pizza, ramen or fries, eating late-night food was a regular habit. Now, you’re probably not heading to the nearest 24-hour fast food restaurant to fill up on chili cheese fries after a night out.

Although you’re right in avoiding greasy foods (they may be too heavy and make nausea and vomiting that much worse), eating after you drink can help prevent hangovers. Stick with salty foods; they help you retain moisture by restoring the levels of sodium and water in your body, which will help metabolize and flush out toxins, which in turn helps you feel better in the morning. Try a bowl of soup; it’s easy to make no matter how tired you are and isn’t heavy enough to make you feel even more sick.

Sleeping

Nothing cures a hangover better than sleeping does. However, while it may seem like alcohol puts you right to bed, it can actually be disruptive to your sleep cycle. Even if you feel exhausted, you’re not getting quality sleep, and for some, it can be hard to sleep in late after a night out drinking. If this is the case for you, try taking melatonin, a natural sleep aid.

Until there’s a magic pill that can cure hangovers, the only true cure is time, since your body needs it to make a full recovery. These tips, however, are the best ways to help speed up the recovery process and fight that hangover if (or when) it does come. You may not be able to drink like you did during your college days (and you probably don’t want to, either!), but getting older doesn’t mean you can’t go out and have a few drinks and enjoy yourself. Just learn how to take care of yourself before and after the fact, and you’ll still be able to get up the next morning and have a productive day.

*Names have been changed.

With all her work as a LGBTQ+ rights activist, a chart-topping pop star, and an acclaimed, Golden Globe-nominated role in the latest season of American Horror Story, Lady Gaga was, in our opinion, a natural choice for Billboard’s 2015 Woman of the Year. Gaga is known for speaking out against all sorts of prejudices and injustices, and her acceptance speech for the award was no exception.

"What I really want to say is that it is really hard sometimes for women in music. It's like a fucking boys' club that we just can't get in to," she said.

She went on to detail just how difficult it can be to be taken seriously as a female artist.

"I tried for so long, I just really wanted to be taken seriously as a musician for my intelligence more than my body ever in this business," she continued. "You don't always feel like when you're working that people believe that you have musical background, that you understand what you're doing because you're a female."

Following the announcement of Gaga’s award, she gave a candid interview with Billboard, in which she addressed sexism and ageism in the industry, as well as the importance of art and creative expression in her life.

“My birthday is in March, so these are the last moments of my 20s. I already mourned that in a way, and now I’m really excited about showing girls, and even men, what it can mean to be a woman in her 30s,” Gaga said in the interview. “I’m not fucking old. I’m more sexual and powerful and intelligent and on my shit than I’ve ever been... I want to show women they don’t need to try to keep up with the 19-year-olds and the 21-year-olds in order to have a hit… I want to explode as I go into my 30s.”

As she’s matured, the 29-year-old has learned to make her career choices for no one but herself. She hired a new manager this year, and is now much happier with the direction things are going. “You can’t sell your soul once you make it. It’s a big mistake to just go after the money to try to stay on top,” she explained. “I think that’s what everyone wanted me to do. But I’m a different kind of girl, and when being different is not in style it’s hard for me to function.”

Whether you need a last-minute gift for your big, your little or just your bestie who happens to be in a sorority, Her Campus has you covered. Check out our selection of beautiful presents for each one of your friends up and down the row.

1. Sorority Banner ($5-12 at Etsy)

These banners are so precious and so affordable that you should really just buy one for every sorority girl you know.

2. Kate Spade Book ($18.70 at Amazon)

This season, give your friend the gift of inspiration from Kappa Kappa Gamma Kate Spade.

3. Monogrammed Seersucker Makeup Pouch ($15.99 at Etsy)

No sorority girl's life is complete without monograms and seersucker prints, that's just a fact of life.

4. Craft Supply Kit ($24.99 at DIY Greek)

These super clever packs come with everything your friend needs to craft her little heart away, all in her sorority's colors and including her chapter's symbols! See if her sorority is available here.

5. Paint Stroke Sorority Canvas ($25 at Etsy)

If ya girl isn't the crafty type, she'll probably love this custom-made canvas—we definitely do!

6. Spirit Jersey ($54 at Spirit Jersey)

This staple of Greek-wear is available for most sororities and in tons of gorge colors and designs.

7. 17-Month Agenda ($34 at Lilly Pulitzer)

If your friend likes a fresh start in the new year, this planner will ship her from January to December with the wind in her sails. Also you win at gifting because Lilly.

8. Engravable Gold Bar Necklace ($25+ at Etsy)

Choose a necklace from silver, gold or rose gold and engrave it with your friend's name, sorority or even "big" or "little"—she will cherish it forever.

9. Minimergency Kit ($16 at Pinch Provisions)

This cute pouch contains the solution to every possible outfit mishap (like double-sided tape and a mini sewing kit). Believe us, your sorority girl friend needs this to be date party-ready.

10. 'Greek' Season 1 on DVD ($8 at Amazon)

Get your friend hooked on one of HC's favorite shows of all time this year. She'll be forever grateful, pinky promise.

11. Throw Pillow ($22 at Francesca's)

Finally, if this gift is for one of your own sorority sisters, this pillow is sure to please her—and make her living space look beautiful.

What will you give your Greek friend this year, collegiettes?

Maybe you were a straight-A honor student in high school, with the occasional B or C in a really tough class. Maybe you’ve even maintained an impressive GPA in college up to this point. But somehow, the unthinkable has happened: you’re failing a class. The semester started normally enough, with that one extra-challenging class that you knew you’d have to work your ass off in just to pass. Usually, a semester of office hours, tutoring and hours of studying pays off and against all odds you earn your way to a passing grade.

Except this time is different. No matter how much blood, sweat and tears you’ve put into doing your best in this class, you can’t seem to master the material or save your grade and you’re failing the class.

If you’re in this position, the first thing you need to do is breathe, take a step back from the situation and decide on a plan of action to get yourself back on track to academic success. To help you do this, we’ve compiled a list of the six most important dos and don’ts for when you’re faced with a failing grade at any point during the semester.

If it's early in the semester

Do: Know your college’s deadlines for changing your schedule

Scheduling classes isn’t an exact science, and colleges know that. Everything from your work schedule to family life and more can impact your ability to keep up with the classes you picked months earlier. That’s why colleges usually give somewhere around a two-week grace period for you to change your schedule with no repercussions. This means that if after a few classes you still feel like your physics professor is speaking a different language when she’s explaining the Theory of Relativity, you can drop the class and find a tutor for next term, when you have the time to invest in doing well in the class. The best part is that if you drop the class during this time, it won’t show up on your transcript!

Don’t: Take too many difficult classes at once

After a great semester (or high school career) of earning high grades, it can be tempting to challenge yourself and take several difficult classes in one term. But it’s important to be realistic about how much you can handle. Sara Ott, a junior at University of Wyoming explains how she had to learn this from experience. “My sophomore year I was an accounting major and thought I should get a jumpstart and took two of the harder accounting classes in the same semester. I ended up getting a D in one and failing the other. I was really torn up for quite some time afterwards," she says.

Related: The Opposite of Senioritis: When You’re Doing Too Much

When midterms week rolls around

Do: Be proactive about using your resources

You can probably think about literally anything you’d rather do than dedicate several extra hours a week to the class that makes you cringe more and more each time you check your grade. However, if you’re already past the grace period your college gives and you’re failing exams and quizzes, it’s important to know that you have many resources, including your academic advisor, professor, TA and campus tutoring offices, and that they can provide assistance and support for you if you’re struggling. After all, your university wants to see you succeed as much as you want to. All it takes is a quick email or office hours visit to start getting help! “I failed my statistics class freshman year,” says Sydney Brodie, a sophomore at University of Florida. “The sad thing is, I didn't really do anything to help myself or try to improve my grade. I kept telling myself I needed to get help (from my professor, campus tutoring, something!) but never sought it out because I was a scared and nervous freshman. I didn't even know dropping classes was an option because I didn't get help from my advisor! Obviously this was a huge learning experience for me, but it's probably my biggest regret in college so far,” Sydney says.

Don’t: Refuse to consider withdrawing from the class

You may wonder how a ‘W’ compares to an ‘F’ on your transcript. Basically it means that if you withdraw (within the required deadline) you will receive a ‘W’ on your transcript for that class, and your GPA will not be affected. In most cases, having one ‘W’ on your transcript won’t be the end of the world, but it can save your GPA from the damage of failing the class. Every school’s policy for withdrawing from a class is different. Schedule a meeting with your advisor to learn about your school’s policy for withdrawing from a class and how factors—like whether or not the class is required or whether withdrawing will compromise your status as a full-time student—can impact the rest of your college career.

After final grades are released

Do: Evaluate if your major is right for you

Final grades have come out, and as much as you studied, went to office hours and wished for good luck before your final, an ‘F’ is looking back at you from your grade report. If it was a major-required class that you failed, now would be a good time to look at your academic strengths and weaknesses and decide if your major is really for you after all. “I had always thought accounting was for me, but [failing an accounting class] made me realize that what you think your path is, isn't always the right path for you. I'm now a senior and a marketing major and couldn't picture my path any other way,” says Sara. Plus, just because you change your major doesn’t necessarily mean you have to start your course credits from scratch! Oftentimes majors within the same college (i.e., business, engineering, liberal arts, etc.) have the same general education requirements.

Don’t: Tell yourself that you’re a failure

Whatever you do, it’s important to remember that failing a class does not make you a failure. It’s normal to be disappointed that you didn’t earn the grade you wanted, but telling yourself that you’re stupid or that you don’t deserve to be pursuing your degree will only start a negative and unhealthy pattern of self-directed thoughts. After you’ve had time to think about how you (and your plan of study) will recover from the emotional roller-coaster of having failed a class, surround yourself with positive thoughts by rejoicing about all the ways you’re killing it in college!

While not ideal, failing a college class is a learning experience that leaves a lasting impact on you and your attitude toward school. If you carry that knowledge forward with you, you can easily overcome this bump in the road of academia and still be incredibly successful!

To the Guy Who Never Listened,

As I’m sitting in your apartment tonight, I realize that I’m in love with you.

I love your smile. I love your laugh. I love the way you nod your head when you blast James Taylor and the Eagles. I love the way you wake me up at 4 a.m. to make me laugh when your neighbors are doing something stupid. I love the way you make me feel.

You make me feel alive. You make me feel special. You make me feel like I’m actually having a memorable college experience.

As I’m sitting in your apartment tonight, I realize something else, too.

I realize that you aren’t in love with me. You don’t ask what my favorite song is. You don’t ask how I like my coffee. You don’t ask about my family.

While I know how amazing you are, I wish you would listen to how amazing I am. I wish you would ask me about my family, about my dog, about what my favorite color is.

I wish you would ask me how I like my coffee, but I know you won’t. And whilst I’m angry with you, I also want to thank you.

Thank you for making me realize that I am important and that I am worth so much. Thank you for reminding me that I deserve someone better than you––someone who knows what I order for brunch and will take me home to his mother.

I’ll find someone who appreciates my sense of humor and quick wit. If you listened, maybe that someone would be you. If you listened, I think you would have been surprised at what you found.

Sincerely,

The girl who listened––the girl who cared.

Most days, growing up an only child is the best. But not having siblings also comes with its fair share of problems. Here are some things that you'll definitely relate to if you're the oldest AND the youngest in your family.

1. Sharing your stuff has been a learning curve

Having a roommate or two in college definitely cured you, though.

2. People have the worst misconceptions about you

????????

3. You're actually super independent, FYI, Psychologist Alfred Adler

Moving to college was that much easier for you.

4. You actually enjoy spending time by yourself

People just refuse to understand that you'd rather walk home alone.

5. You're really close to your parents

Dating advice is part of the package.

6. Your parents are a little lost now that you've moved out

Their world has lowkey revolved around you for a while, so your departure prompted a bit of an identity crisis.

7. You were kind of the parent in the family, TBQH

You were very mature for your age.

8. You've always wondered what it would be like to have siblings

9. Then again, you never had to deal with the responsibilities of being the eldest

10. Or the struggles of being the middle child

You're the oldest AND the cutest!

11. You found surrogate brothers and sisters

Your friends are family.

12. You always have to choose the restaurant

...and the movie.

13. The holidays are a glorious season

14. So yeah, you may be a tiny bit spoiled

15. But you're a very lovable brat!

16. Basically, you're awesome

"Only children are the best children." -Science

What's your favorite thing about being an only child, collegiettes?

I’d say that one of my favorite pastimes is to plague society with my weird behavior and kooky sense of humor. In childhood this manifested itself through me eating the lawn grass and pretending to throw up like a cat, or poking people I didn’t know and running away while laughing hysterically. Now, I get my kicks from messing with sleazy men on Tinder.

For one night I decided to badger all the men I talked to, using multiple methods of badgering, but all with one commonality: Donald Trump. Here are the steps you can take if you would like to share in my experience.

Method 1: Casually Force Everyone to Share Their Opinion about Donald Trump

This tactic is great because it simultaneously annoys the men who want to send gross flirty messages to you, while also letting you discover a lot about someone’s political opinions, to see if they may be worth your time. Start with casual conversation first, give in to those “cuddle me” one-liners, and then smoothly drop Donald Trump into the conversation. 

Flirtation avoided for the moment, begin to delve deeper into their Donald Trump opinions. 

Related: 21 College Women Get Real About Donald Trump

At this point, you may come to the realization that this man may, in fact, be an idiot. 

If they begin to exhibit blatantly racist or cruel behavior, feel free to slip in a quote from The Office or some emojis, and leave them in the dust.

The only flaw to this method is that you may begin to notice a common trend in people’s responses, being that they don’t really mind Donald Trump all that much. They see his flaws, but ultimately they like the idea of banning Muslims from the United States. 

Just remember, if disturbing their romantic advances stops being fun because of their unsavory viewpoints, feel free to move on to a method that is a bit more fun and silly.

Related: I Followed My Mom's Dating Advice for a Week & Here's What Happened

Method 2: Donald Trump Quotes

This method is unfathomably funny because men tend to just go along with whatever you’re saying, regardless of however absurd or racist it may be, driven by the idea that if they bear through the bizarre strings of speech, they may still get a hookup out of it. The best approach is to form the conversation as if it’s normal, even better as if it’s heading in a sexual direction, and then WHAM get freaky with a Donald Trump quote. 

If they clearly have no idea what you’re saying or who you happen to be referencing, feel free to continue to drag the joke out, giggling all the while. 

If a quote is particularly obscure, you may not get an answer, but that’s okay too because it means you’ve won. 

Now a quick word of advice: while talking in only Donald Trump quotes is greatly pleasing to your inner Internet troll, be careful with the copy and paste feature. Like me, you may end up copying a list of 36 quotes with journalist commentary from a website, and sending the whole thing. 

Method 3: Go All Out

This is by far my favorite, because it involves unleashing Donald Trump without limit into every conversation. There is no tactic or skill, just go for it. My personal choice is to make Donald Trump the focal point of sexy situations. 

Related: Donald Trump Says Burkas Are a Way to Avoid Putting on Makeup

Do you ever get the weird abbreviations you don’t understand, but just assume they’re sexual acts? Yeah, me too. Feel free to reply with your own abbreviations. DT=Donald Trump. 

And if you’re feeling really into it, just repetitively chant his name over and over as if attempting to suck Donald Trump’s very soul into the conversation, forever trapping him in the Tinder cyber world of hookups and winky faces. 

While you may not be in the market of scaring away men for the fun of it, because you are not a potato faced cat lady, there is no denying that Donald Trump is the perfect way to escape any unwanted flirty situation. I had a delightful time, clapping my hands in glee while trying this, and I can’t wait to see more Donald Trump Tinder conversations appear elsewhere on the Internet for me to read. 

As Grey's Anatomy addicts, we seemingly find ways to relate the show to any given aspect of our lives. If you ignore the crazy high amount of deaths that occur on the show (given, it does take place in a hospital), Grey's is actually a lot like the life of a college student. Just think of Joe's Bar as a frat party, the on-call room as a college dorm room and the hospital as a school, and you will shortly realize that the drama the doctors go through in each episode is actually an accurate depiction of your life.  

1. When your professors say they might curve the exam grades and then end up not doing it  

We've all been a victim of this. As seemingly hopeless college students, we tend to cling onto any chance we have at succeeding. Any person who dares take that away from us may as well just never show their face on campus again.

2. Claiming that you're "dropping out of college" at least ten times a day

We college students can only handle so much pressure and stress before we finally just gain an "I don't care" attitude towards any situation that might be the least bit overwhelming.

3. Checking your grades  

Need we say more? #tragic

4. Making awkward eye contact with a guy you met on Tinder while walking to class

If you claim this hasn't happened to you, we're calling your bluff. And if this really hasn't happened to you yet, trust us, it will. Be ready to make an on-the-spot decision of whether to acknowledge him or pretend you didn't see him (even though both of you know you did). Either way, it's very uncomfortable.

5. Being the only sober one among all of your drunk friends

This one speaks for itself. You never realize how annoying drunk people are until you aren't one of them.  

6. Then having to babysit them all night long

Every college student's favorite thing to do, right?

7. When your parents drive away after dropping you back off at school

We would be lying if we said a part of us doesn't have to resist going home every weekend. Even though your campus ultimately becomes your new home, it's always refreshing to have a nice, stress-relieving weekend in your hometown with your family. However, the second their car drives away, you know it's time to snap back into the harsh reality of schoolwork. *sheds a tear*

8. Realizing how much homework you have but proceeding to watch an entire season of television on Netflix regardless

They say that the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. However, we are fully aware of our terrible prioritizing skills, yet we proceed to put our lives on hold to turn ourselves into living Chipotle burritos in piles of blankets and watch disgusting amounts of Netflix without moving for hours.

9. When you realize that your parents really did always have your best interest in mind

We grow up thinking of our parents as the bad guys and often think they are being too strict or "ruining our lives." But when we get to college and finally get a glimpse of what it's like to be an adult, we realize how relevant all of their advice truly was. Even after our bitchy teenage years, our parents still love us, and in college we realize how much of a support system they truly are. While in school you will have some of the most stressful and also some of the most fun times of your life, depending on what you make of it. But having your number one fans constantly supporting you will make the bad times good and the good times even better.

10. Having at least 12 mental breakdowns a day for absolutely no reason

Sometimes you just need to cry into your pillow for an hour and then inhale an entire tub of ice cream. Don't ask us why; it just feels right.

11. "Netflix and chill" is very much a real thing

It wasn't until college that we realized how big of a thing this truly is. We would be lying if we said we weren't slightly ashamed to be part of the "Netflix and chill" generation. If a boy goes out of his way to ask you on a real date in college, consider it a huge deal.

12. When you walk into a party and see the guy you like all over another girl

Behold: the moment we all dread. This is not a situation that can be dealt with easily, but as long as you have some tequila, everything will be all right in the end (even if you don't remember it). After all, YOU ARE THE SUN, AND HE CAN GO SUCK IT!

13. When you and your friends realize you literally have no clue what you're doing with your life

College can be just one big cycle of waking up every day and questioning why you even went to college in the first place. Going into college, you think it's all about figuring out what you want to do in life, but in all honesty, we just get more confused by the day.

14. Having to keep track of which of your friends actually made it home…

…and which ones got too drunk to remember where they live.

15. When you know you have to be productive so you stay in for the night and watch all of your friends go out

As hard as it is, we all have those nights where we need to stay in and get caught up on schoolwork. There is nothing more heartbreaking than sitting in a room full of people who are getting ready and having to resist the temptation to go out. In the end, it only makes us stronger.

United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power is, in a word, incredible. She's spent her career working on the world's most pressing issues, from visiting West Africa during the ebola outbreak to meeting with Caitlyn Jenner to talk about transgender rights. Last week, Her Campus Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Kaplan Lewis sat down for a conversation with Power. In honor of International Day of the Migrant, we're sharing their discussion of the global refugee crisis.

Power talks about the American attitude toward refugees in the wake of tragedy in Paris and San Bernardino, as well as her own background as an Irish immigrant. What really comes through is the Ambassador's compassion for others, and her ability to truly empathize with the painful choices refugees make on a daily basis.

"They’re not appealing to come to the United States or any other country because they want to trade up a good life for a great life," she says. "They are coming to this country because they are desperate. And they believe, because of our traditions, and because of the values of the vast majority of the American people, that we are a country that could understand that."

Watch the full clip below!

This article has been syndicated to Her Campus from Defining Danie by Danie Minor, a Her Campus Blogger Network member. 

Skin cancer is something I have become increasingly passionate about.

When I was going into 10th grade, I was diagnosed with atypical nevi. What does that mean? It means that I had moles that were genetically predisposed to melanoma. I had to have surgery to remove the area of skin. They numbed my back and I was awake during the entire procedure. I was so nervous for the procedure that my mom sat in the surgery with me (I don’t know how she was able to stomach watching them cut into my back). I left that surgery that day with somewhere around 250 stitches.

Here is a picture of my scars on my back from when I had surgery. This was taken today.

You can only imagine the pain of that surgery.

Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer for teens and young adults ages 15-29 (SO scary, right?!), however it is one of the most preventable and curable! But just because it is one of the most curable, that does not mean that you should go and start tanning because your risk goes up by 59% for melanoma after the first time using a tanning bed before the age of 35.

Instead, what you should do is go and sign the Your Skin Is In pledge campaign launched by the Melanoma Foundation of New England. This pledge is to promise to protect your skin because later in your life you don’t want to have to go through surgeries that leave you with 250 stitches.

Do you know if you’re at risk for melanoma?

• Being a white male over the age of 50
• Having other family members who have had melanoma
• Having atypical nevi (what I had when I was in 10th grade)
• Being born with mole(s)
• Ultravioliet (UV) light exposure (tanning in a bed and outdoors) 

UV lights are: UVA, UVB and UVC. UCV rays are the most harmful to us. But not to worry! They are blocked by our ozone layer, so they can’t reach us.

This does not mean that UVA and UVB are not harmful though. UVB rays are what causes sunburn and UVA rays are what causes tanning. Both of these cause skin cancer though.

So basically… the more you tan and burn, the greater your chances for skin cancer are!

The Your Skin Is In Campaign will begin in January 2016 but you can take the pledge NOW. I did, so you should too!

If you are worried about your exposure to the sun or a tanning bed, you should look for the ABCDE signs for skin cancer. The signs are the characteristics how a mole can change!

A- Asymmetrical Shape

B- Borders

C- Color

D- Diameter

*E- Evolution (How the mole has changed over time)

Evolution is the most important for catching skin cancer before it can lead to melanoma! Another reason to want to protect your skin aside from skin cancer is we don’t want wrinkles sooner than we have to! ;) Go take the pledge now! For more information on Melanoma and the Your Skin Is campaign visit: www.Yourskinisin.org

There are only two types of people in the world: those who are cat people, and those who are... well, monsters. Because how could you not:

Since we're not all Blake Lively and definitely don't have the skills required to bake a cat-themed pie, we'll have to take a different route when gifting. So we did the work for you (really, it was our pleasure) to find all the best, most adorable kitty-inspired gifts so you can get the cat lovers in your squad the purrrrrfect present this holiday season.

1. A mug that speaks the truth

Mug, $15, Society6

Here's all you need to live the perfect life.

2. The ultimate cuddle buddy

Custom Pet Pillow, $58, Brit+Co

Have a friend who's forced to be away from her REAL bestie while she's at school? Get her the next best thing—a customized pillow featuring her bae. Bonus: a cat pillow won't struggle to get away when you're just trying to love on it.

3. Festive & feisty

Wildfox Meowy Christmas Sweatshirt, $98, Saks Fifth Avenue

There's no better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a cute kitten in a Santa hat.

4. A cat that just gets us

Little Cat iPhone Case, $35, Society6

Is there a college woman who doesn't totally identify with this statement? This phone case is just a daily reminder that you're not alone, because at least you have this cat.

5. The cat pack every girl wants

Lovecats Ring, $32, Catbird

Pick up a full litter of kitty rings to stack (or share them among your friends)—the delicate gold ring makes for a perfect everyday piece, but as dainty as it is, it certainly doesn't lack in personality—sounds like every cat we know.

6. Acknowledging your inner cat

Right Black Cat Ya Headband, $12.99, Modcloth

This sweet headband proves that cat ears are made for more than just Halloween.

7. All-day access to kittens

Kitty Cat Minx Nail Art, $20.95, Zazzle

What's not to love about having kittens at your fingertips?

8. Cats can be feminists, too

Cats Against Catcalls T-Shirt, $29.95, Feminist Apparel

Have a friend who's just as passionate about feminism as she is about cats? Combine all her faves into one with this feminist kitten tee.

9. Have a glass of catbernet

Cat Philosophy Wine Glasses, $35.99, Wayfair

Always do what you want... and most importantly, remember that it's not drinking alone if the cat is home.

The holidays are here and what better way to document the festivities than by taking pictures with family, friends or your SO? After all, you've got to keep up your Instafamous cred. There are lots of variations of DIY photo backdrops, but we've put together a traditionally cute one below to provide some inspiration.

What you'll need:

• String
• Ornaments
• Popcorn and cranberry strings
• Rod or ladder
• Chair and/or stools
• Gift boxes, ribbon, bows or other holiday accessories 

Step 1:

Tie ornaments with string and secure them to the rod or ladder so they hang down. You can also hang ribbon, tinsel or a burlap wreath to jazz things up a bit.

Step 2:

Support the ladder, freshly adorned with those dazzling decorations, by positioning it horizonatally across two support systems. We used a few step ladders, which can easily be cropped out of your photos.

Step 3:

If your fellow posers would rather sit during the shoot, add complementary chairs or stools to the space. 

Step 4:

Play around with holiday decorations to add personality to your photo shoot. Gift boxes, popcorn and cranberry strings, ribbons or bows work well to spruce up the area. 

People are guaranteed to remember this holiday photo shoot backdrop, and you and your guests will have a fabulous time posing the night away.

Are you making your own photo backdrop for this year's holiday festivities? Share it with us!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and you’re even happier now that your SO has finally invited you to meet the extended family. And you should be happy — this is an important step forward in your relationship!

Then, reality sets in. You start to imagine all those crazy dinners you’ve had with your own family, except now it’s not your goofy uncle ribbing you — it’s someone you just met. Not to mention it’s someone you’re dying to impress! Needless to say, the first time you meet your SO’s family can definitely be awkward.

No one can blame you for being nervous. With some preparation and these dos and don’ts, you’ll have the confidence to sit back, chat it up and win them over.

DO bring a gift

Ithaca College freshman Caroline Pirozzolo, who spends part of her winter break visiting her long-distance boyfriend for the holidays, says she thinks it’s a great idea to bring a small gift for your SO’s family. “Even if it's just Christmas cookies or a thank you-note for having you spend the holiday with them!” she says.

This gift doesn’t need to be anything fancy; in fact, overdoing it the first time you meet the family might not be the best idea. A bottle of wine, a festive dessert or an ingredient/recipe set (think cookie mix in a jar) are simple but sweet gift ideas.

Etiquette consultant and author Jodi RR Smith suggests being thoughtful when giving gifts to make a great first impression. “No one expects you to spend a lot of money as a college student,” Smith says. “Little things can mean a lot. If there are younger siblings or pets in the family, bring a little something for them as well.”

DON’T show up without doing your homework

Don’t neglect the best resource you have — your SO! Before you show up at the family’s house, ask your SO for the inside scoop on holiday traditions. How classy should your holiday outfit be? What are their quirky traditions? How does everyone get along? Are there any hot-button topics to avoid at the dinner table? Knowing these things before you show up can clue you in on what to expect and ease your stress.

“You should ask what the sleeping arrangements are going to be and if there is anything you need to bring, like a sleeping bag,” Smith says. If you’re sleeping over, you should be prepared with a robe or a long sweatshirt as well so that you’re not walking to and from the bathroom in a towel.

Finally, you need to help your SO’s family know you as well. “As the guest, it is your obligation to let the host or hostess know your dietary restrictions in advance,” Smith says. “You should bring a bag full of snacks that you can eat during your stay as well. Don’t expect them to be a short-order chef.”

Even just a little preparation for your visit can save you a lot of awkwardness later, so if you have any concerns, go ahead and ask your SO questions. And if your SO doesn’t know the answers, it’s totally okay to check in with the family before you arrive.

DO be polite

This is a no-brainer, right? Sometimes if you’re too nervous, you might forget your manners, so it bears repeating. Remember to say “please” and “thank you.” Also, make sure to complement the host or hostess on the house, meal or both.

“You want to be your best self,” Smith says. “This is not being polite to the point of being fake. Be ready to greet people. Say, ‘It’s so nice to meet you.’ You need to have your meet-and-greet skills at the forefront.”

When you’re having a conversation, be engaged! Ask questions and nod to show you’re listening and interested. Also, prepare a little something to say about yourself. “You need to be [prepared] to answer the question: ‘Tell me something about yourself,’” Smith says. “You can’t be stumped. It leads right into conversation.”

You want this family to think that you care because, well, you do!

DON’T be stiff

Sometimes if you’re too worried about being on your best behavior, you can come off as stiff and timid, especially if you’re nervous. Take some deep breaths, loosen up and remember that these are just people you’re talking to.

“If you’re not nervous, you’re not normal,” Smith says. “It’s okay to be nervous. The only way to deal with it is to go with it. Take a deep breath in and let it out.”

Don’t just talk to your SO’s parents. Have a conversation with a great-aunt and get to know the cousins, too. Spread the attention around, and it’ll start to feel like you’re part of the family. That means you’re going to have to stop clinging to your SO’s arm and strike up a conversation on your own. We know it can be scary, but we promise you can do it!

DO join in the fun

Odds are that even if your family and your SO’s family celebrate the same holidays, they’re going to do it a bit differently. Whatever traditions your SO’s family participates in, you should go all out and be enthusiastic about participating as well. Smith says that “you need to keep your eyes and ears open for the little differences in this family.”

Try to have fun adapting to your SO’s family. Do they play a particular game together after dinner? Do they all make dessert together? Sing holiday songs? You should do those things, too! If you don’t join in the family fun, then you run the risk of coming off as a total scrooge.

DON’T weigh in on the arguments

Before you enter into that discussion on the latest election, assess your SO’s family.

“[Some families] consider a battle of wits being the best activity you can have over the dinner table,” Smith says. “If this seems like one of those families, by all means join in if you are comfortable with it.”

But if the conversation turns toward more controversial subjects and you notice tension (like when your SO’s uncle looks like he’s going to pop a blood vessel in his neck), stay out of the discussion. You’re trying to make a good impression, so even if everyone else is arguing, you need to take the higher ground.

If someone specifically asks you about your political opinions, Smith recommends stating your opinion and then moving from that subject to a related, less controversial subject.

For example, if your SO’s grandmother asks you about your stance on gay marriage rights and she seems to disagree with you, you might state your opinion and then mention that your sister just got married recently. It was such a lovely service.

DO get ready for relationship questions

It’s not likely you’re going to escape the holiday season without having to answer a few intrusive questions. Of course, your SO’s family is going to be curious about your relationship. You might get questions about how you two met or what you like most about your SO.

When you get these questions, just be honest and positive. No need to over-share; just answer the questions and leave it there. And make sure not to complain about your SO, even in jest.

Let’s say your SO’s goofy dad asks you, “Why do you like this loser, anyway?” Keep it positive, but feel free to be funny.

“You can say something like, ‘Joe, you never told me you were a loser!’ or, ‘I knew I had to go out with him when he dropped his tray in the cafeteria,’” Smith says. “Never say something mean about your significant other. If [the family member] gets really mean, you can say something to throw them off, like, ‘But he’s such a good kisser.’”

DON’T engage in PDA

Hand-holding and sitting together (but not on each other) is one thing, but you don’t want to get too lovey-dovey at your first family gathering. Any more PDA than a slight touch could make the family or other guests uncomfortable. Save making out and cuddling for your quality time together, plain and simple!

If you’re spending the night and you and your SO are asked to sleep in separate rooms, you need to respect the wishes of your SO’s family.

“Say goodnight and each go into your own room. Wake up in your own room. What you do in the middle of the night is up to you,” Smith says. “You never want to make a parent feel uncomfortable in their own house.”

DO offer to help

Cleaning up is nobody’s favorite part of the holidays. That’s why you’re going to earn major brownie points just by offering to help out!

“When I'm [visiting my boyfriend], I try to offer to help out around the house, especially if his family is having other guests over for Christmas or New Year's,” Caroline says.

Your SO’s parents may refuse the hand anyway, so don’t push the issue. Whether you end up with the dishes or not, offering to help clean up is a great way to show your gratitude.

You should also show your appreciation by tidying up after yourself. “If you use a glass, clean it,” Smith says. “If you slept in a bed, strip it, fold the sheets.” These small courtesies will take some of the pressure off of your SO’s parents. Plus, these gestures will leave a good impression!

DO escape for some “me time”

Let’s face it: Some of us are naturally more outgoing than others. If you start to feel overwhelmed by all the small talk and first impressions, don’t be afraid to excuse yourself and relax for a moment.

“It is fine to take a breather,” Smith says. “You can step outside or go into the basement. Be careful about occupying the bathroom; you don’t want to block it when someone else might need [it].”

According to Smith, it’s okay not to give a reason for excusing yourself. No one expects you to be brimming with energy all day long. Go outside and text a friend or read for a little while. Then rejoin the party feeling fresh and ready to talk.

DON’T have your phone out

There’s nothing that tells your SO’s fam you’re not interested in their festivities like being tethered to your cell phone. Forget whatever’s happening on Instagram and Snapchat. Nothing in the world is more interesting to you than this family get-together — or at least that’s what you’re going to make everyone believe! Keep that phone on silent and tucked away until you’re by yourself.

DO send a thank-you note

Make the last impression you leave as good as the first! Putting together a fantastic holiday is tough work, so make sure to show that you appreciate all the effort. After you’ve returned home, send your SO’s family a simple, handwritten note of gratitude. Smith recommends doing this right away so you don’t forget the note in the shuffle of the holiday season. No need to write an essay; it’s the gesture that counts.

DO be yourself

Your SO’s family didn’t invite a well-dressed robot over for dinner; they invited you! So even while you’re following these tips, make sure you’re staying true to yourself.

For example, if you tend to be more introverted, try your best to be sociable, but don’t feel like you need to entirely change your personality to be fun. Be honest and relaxed, and you’re sure to make a good impression. You’re not going to just survive the holidays — you’re going to have a blast!

Washing your face seems like it should be the easiest step in your skincare routine. All you have to do is lather up with your favorite cleanser and wash it away, right? While cleansing your face is easy, there are a few small details you might be missing. If you’ve noticed that something about your skin isn’t quite right (it's dry, oily, or you're experiencing excessive breakouts, for example) your cleansing routine could be to blame. The good news is, all it takes are a few simple tweaks to see serious improvements. We've gathered guru advice from Alissa Chasen, a licensed esthetician, acne specialist, the founder of POREspective Acne Control and an all-around expert on everything you need to know about washing your face. Here are five of the most common cleansing mistakes, and how you fix them.

1. You don’t fully remove your makeup

Many of us make the mistake of thinking that our skin is clean just because it looks clean, but this isn’t always the case thanks to leftover product residue. Try adding another small step into your routine by using a makeup remover and then a cleanser. We love using Neutrogena's Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes ($6.99, Walgreens) and then cleansing as we would normally.

"Rinsing too fast without letting the cleanser soak in and do its work is one of the biggest mistakes I see in my acne clinic," Alissa added. For reference, just think of how much cleaner a greasy baking dish gets when allowed to soak! "It’s best to start with wet skin, massage the cleanser in well, then let it sit for 30 seconds before rinsing in order to pull the grime out of the pores and get the skin really clean."

2. You don’t wash your hands first

This is a big one that a lot of people overlook. But if you think about it, our hands touch tons of dirty surfaces throughout the day. Even if you’re a die-hard hand sanitizer fan, germs can lurk in unexpected places like your fingernails. So do your face a favor and give your hands a thorough scrub before you touch anything else. "Those of us who are 'germaphobes' instinctively wash our hands before touching our faces," Alissa says, "but young women definitely need to be instructed to always wash their hands before splashing the skin with water and washing their face." 

3. You exfoliate too often

There’s no denying that giving your face a good scrub is super gratifying. There’s nothing better than ultra soft and clean skin! But if you’re scrubbing too often, you could be breaking blood vessels in your skin, causing unnecessary redness and damage. Luckily, there's a way to reap the benefits of an exfoliant without paying the price—just stick to a less frequent routine, and try for a gentler option like an exfoliating cream. "I love to add a creamy scrub to my client's home care routine 2x/week to get some extra physical exfoliation," Alissa says. "It really brightens the complexion!"

4. You’re using the wrong cleanser

The skincare aisle at any drugstore is a pretty overwhelming sight. There are hundreds of different cleansers on the market, and many of them are targeted toward different skin types or concerns, so if you’re not sure which one is right for you, try sticking with something that’s gentle (but efficient) and agrees with all skin types. "I also recommend staying away from the ingredients sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate in cleansers," Alissa says. "These are pore-clogging." 

On the other hand, the POREfessional site is a great place to start if you know what you're looking for. Not sure what your skin type is? They can help you with that too! They offer video consultations, so you can visit an esthetician from your dorm room or apartment.

5. You use water that’s too hot

We know it’s soothing to wash off all your makeup with hot, steamy water. It feels like a facial! But be careful with the temp, because water that’s too hot can actually have long-term damage on your skin. Hot water can burst capillaries, causing a lot of redness. It can also disturb your skin’s natural oil balance and dry you out. Worst of all, this dryness can begin an endless cycle by making your skin produce more oil to compensate, which tends to lead to breakouts. Not fun! "Warm water is recommended because it expands the pores and allows the cleanser to get in there to do it's work," Alissa says. "Cold water closes the pores and should be avoided with washing."

So when you go to wash your face tonight, don’t forget to put these mantras to good use. If you’re suffering from a serious skin issue (like acne) even the smallest change in skincare can make a huge difference—give your skin the TLC it deserves and it’ll thank you later!

If you've figured out that your calling in life is to be a lawyer, then you've definitely figured some other things out to. From idolizing Law & Order: SVU's Alexandra Cabot to meticulously organizing an LSAT study-schedule, here are 23 things all future lawyers will understand.  

1. Legally Blonde is hands-down the best chick flick ever.

It always releases your inner feminist—plus the Bend-and-Snap is a very useful thing to know.  

2. It is important to win every argument, no matter how small.

You have get practice in for the real thing.

3. Being able to talk people’s ears off is an underappreciated talent.

But one day you’ll get to show it off in the courtroom.

4. Debate club was the best high school extracurricular activity.

And that’s not just because you were the best debater on your team.

5. Saving receipts is important because you can use them as evidence.

How else are you going to return those shoes to Topshop that were a total impulse buy? 

6. Being convincing is an art form.

And you totally use it to your advantage.

7. Law & Order: SVU and Suits are the only TV shows that really matter.

You get pretty much the same experience watching them as you would interning for a law firm, right?    

8. Knowing your legal rights is as important as knowing your first name.

This totally makes you a responsible adult—if only you knew how to cook.

9. Threatening to sue people when you’re angry is not effective.

Unless you really are a lawyer.

10. There’s pride in being the person your friends always call when they’re in trouble.

Although you wish they would just stay out of trouble to begin with.  

11. Getting into heated debates is the only reason you go to parties.

Whoever said politics was the one topic to avoid in conversation just didn’t know how to debate.

12. Elle Woods is your Spirit Animal.

She always wins the case and somehow still manages to have perfect hair.  

13. And Erin Brockovich is a Queen.

You have memorized all her sassy one-liners down to a T.

14. Coffee addiction is a way of life. 

To be honest, you don’t remember a time when you didn’t have coffee in your life.

15. Telling people you’re pre-law is the best confidence booster.

“Yes, I do plan on becoming Alexandra Cabot. Thank you for asking.”

16. The scariest thing in the world are the LSATs.

You keep saying you'll start studying for them next semester. 

17. It’s essential to always read things before you sign them.

You have to know what your getting yourself into—always.

18. Judge Judy is the only quality reality television.

Sorry, Snooki.

19. Having a loud voice is a good thing—contrary to popular belief.

When someone tells you to talk quieter, you just end up talking louder.

20. It’s important to be prepared to defend your favorite law school.

Harvard will always be #1.

21. Being the mediator of the family is tough work.

But it’s ridiculously good practice for your future career in court.

22. Owning blazers in ever color is essential, not ridiculous.

Because one day you will get that law school interview you’ve been dreaming of.  

23. Ambition, hard-work and confidence are the keys to success.

You know you’re going to make it one day, and that’s all that matters!

While other people may not agree with your opinions on politics or undertsand your obsession with Legally Blonde, it doesn't matter. All the evidence points to that you're amazing and if anyone disagrees you just say "I object." In the end, you know where you want to go and your determination is definitely going to get you there!