There's an age-old saying that lives deep inside collegiettes everywhere: Once you go legging you never go back. Well––maybe not... but we most certainly think there should be. It's no secret that these pants have magic powers (many of which are criticized by haters who just don't get it). So, we decided to take the time to list all of the reasons why we appreciate the best pants, well, ever! Here's what we came up with:

1. They are comfortable AF!

Don't argue with us on this one.

2. Our legs can actually move in them

One doesn't simply "wear jeans" after wearing leggings. It just isn't going to happen.

3. We don't have to unbutton them when we eat too much

"Hi, yes, I would like to order another appetizer." *smirks*

4. We own multiple pairs, but cherish each individually

Just because we have five different pairs of black leggings doesn't mean we don't love each one individually––cause we do, okay?

5. They are down for anything

Wanna go on a run? Wear leggings. Wanna go out for drinks? Wear leggings. Wanna chill around the house? Wear leggings. Wanna rob a bank? Wear leggings.

6. They show off some of our best assets

You already know what we're talking about.

7. They stay put

No stretching? No tearing? No stress? It just means so much to us. 

8. We can wear them for consecutive days (and get away with it)

Let's have a round of applause for the leggings.

9. They make for the cutest and comfiest loungewear ever

We've never experienced a pair of pants like this before.

10. They suck everything in 

So go ahead and eat that last piece of cake.

11. We can do just about anything in them

Seriously––anything.

12. There are a million different kinds 

Athletic leggings. Casual leggins. Leather leggings. Sheer leggings. Fold-over leggings. We want all the leggings!!!!

13. They look awesome with fuzzy socks

Is there a better combo for these cold winter months?

14. And they look awesome with sneakers

Aren't leggings and sneakers every collegiette's go-to outfit for class?

15. AND they look awesome with boots/heels/every other type of shoe!

They're just, like, the Beyonce of pants.

16. They changed our lives for the better

We thank the universe for leggings every single day.

17. They're our best friend

They just get us in a way that no one else can.

Dear leggings, thanks for being you. We love you. Sincerely,  collegiettes everywhere.

Feminism means promoting acceptance and equality, valuing different identities and loving others and ourselves for who we are. And since mutual respect, love and understanding are vital ingredients to a healthy relationship, we'll go right ahead and say it: feminists make ~the best~ companions. No matter where you fall on the identity spectrum, you're relationship is bound to benefit from a partner who stands for equal rights for all. Be it a confident and courageous gal pal or considerate and progressive boyf, a feminist plus-one is the partner everyone deserves.

1. The end-of-meal bill situation will be stress free.

A female-identifying feminist isn't going to fight you for the bill, but she won't expect you to pay, and a male-identifying feminist won't have his pride hurt by letting his SO foot the bill. So split the bill or take turns at the table—after all, a few freebie dinners never hurt.

2. Worried about being too forward? The first move is on us. 

Playing hard to get is so outdated, not to mention dangerous when it comes to clarifying consent. A feminist SO won't mind you making the first move, even if your traditional gender role says otherwise.

3. Cry in front of us—or not. Gender norms be darned.

Your emotions will be validated no matter what they are, we promise.

4. Our perspectives have been widened in all sorts of situations.

Being a feminist means being open-minded, and expecting open-mindedness in return. So if you want to switch roles in the bedroom, just ask!

5. Point blank: we aren't afraid to talk about sex.

We all have bodies (and a right to use them), so why are we ashamed of them?

6. And because we don't beat around the bush, consent is a priority. 

Feminists know that consent can be sexy, and even if asking is awk, who cares? No one should feel uncomfortable or used, no matter their orientation or identity.

7. Pregnancy scare fiascoes don't have to be an issue.

Access to birth control and feminism go hand-in-hand, meaning feminists aren't afraid to be open about taking steps toward safer sex.

8. You can say goodbye to negative gossip.

We are so not about judging or tearing down anyone.

9. We know our unique privileges, and use them for good.

Feminism requires a recognition of double standards and inequality. We'll see injustices more clearly, and recognize when it's our job to help (say hello to endlessly fun dates volunteering)!

10. We won't shut down your dreams.

Want to be a stay-at-home-dad? Want to be a stay-at-home-mom? No matter who you are, you have the right to fulfill your own wishes and goals.

11. Say goodbye to the endless "no, what do you want to do?" cycle of decision making. 

Why should anyone be nervous to offer up something as simple as an activity or restaurant option? It's okay to take charge, and we'll do it if you don't want to!

12. Forgot to shave? Big whoop.

If you're female-identifying, a feminist SO won't get grossed out by the occasional spiky leg, or even the choice to not shave at all. And if you're male-identifying, a feminist SO won't expect you to be the next hulk. The choices you make with your body are your choices ~end of story~ so stereotypical expectations can go out the window.

13. We can offer up empathy toward the injustices you experience.

We won't shut down how you're feeling without hearing the whole story, and we'll always listento you.

14. But we have no problem stirring up a debate, making ours conversation consistently lively.

Myth: feminists are aggressive, angry, judgmental man-haters. Fact: feminists aren't afraid to point out a sexist slip, but only because they care, and ~caring is cool.~  

15. All in all, you and your SO will be constantly learning with and from each other—talk about a power couple.

When you aren't afraid to admit faults, grow and come to decisions together, your relationship will undoubtedly strengthen.

It is pretty obvious to any collegiette that college and middle school fashion come from entirely different worlds. In middle school, it was all about the name brands and wearing what the popular girl wore. (Shout out to you, Hollister.)

Luckily in college, everyone has gotten over this "popular" frenzy and you can create your own style.

Just for fun, I had my "fashionista" younger sister (who is in middle school), Marie, pick out my outfits for five days.

Day One: Friday - Lunch and Shopping

Out of the five, this outfit was my favorite. This outfit was for going out to lunch and shopping with a friend. It consisted of a long teal pea coat, black booties, black leggings, an oversized graphic tee, and a large purse. Normally I don't wear leggings as pants so the long coat made me feel a bit more comfortable. I wouldn't have put this together on my own however I thought it looked pretty good. 

Related: 15 Things You Shouldn't Say to Girls Who Wear Leggings as Pants

Also, don't mind the mirror pic. There's going to be a lot of them. 

“TGIF. This outfit was picked for being on the move with friends but still looking cute doing it.” - Marie

Day Two: Saturday - Football Game

This fall look was for going to the Notre Dame football game. I wore my Notre Dame scoop neck shirt, vintage Ralph Lauren jacket, black leggings (again), and Nike Roshe shoes. This outfit was a lot more out of my comfort zone. Leggings without a long shirt or jacket? No scarf with my scoop neck shirt? I wore it all day and got a few compliments on the jacket. However, I don't think I'd wear this exact same outfit again.

“I picked this outfit because it is sporty yet casual and perfect for going outside and visiting friends.” - Marie

Day Three: Sunday - Running Errands

Surprise! I'm wearing black leggings again. Apparently black leggings are a staple piece to every middle school stylist's outfits. For this outfit, I wore my black and gold Vans, black leggings, black and white striped shirt, white scarf, and a maroon dress shirt for a pop of color. Other than the leggings, this outfit is more similar to what I'm used to. I also had never worn a dress shirt in the way that I normally wear a cardigan. 

“This outfit was comfortable but cute at the same time. Perfect for going to church and running errands round town.” - Marie

Related: 9 Celebs Who've Worn Leggings in Public (& Looked Good Doing It!)

Day Four: Monday - Back to Class

For this outfit I wore short lace up boots, black skinny jeans (not leggings for once), a mustardy yellow blouse, and a black bomber jacket. I also liked this outfit since it was comfortable and featured a pop of color. I normally only wear my blouses for business, but I liked using this one in an everyday school outfit. 

“Mondays are the worst. So we are starting the week on a good note with an outfit that'll give you a confident attitude towards the week.” - Marie

Day Five: Tuesday - Night Classes

Every Tuesday I have a lecture from 7 pm to 10 pm. It's awful. Usually by the time I get ready to go to class I'm just feeling tired and lazy. Per Marie, I wore a pair of military style boots, black leggings (duh), and a baggy Mick Jagger graphic tee. No fancy scarves or make-up. Just throw it on and walk out the door.

“This outfit is made for a lazy day. Super casual and super comfortable. You can’t go wrong with all black.” - Marie

Final Takeaways

I normally don't just dress the way my sister dresses me. I'm a fan of black skinny jeans, long cardigans, and band tees. Sometimes I'll throw in a solid-colored tee with a scarf. I gravitate towards my cut out booties every single day. I'm a fan of finding a comfortable piece of clothing and wearing it a few times a week until it wears out. I have a pretty lazy fashion sense and don't "put together" a cute outfit more than once or twice a week. Through this experience, I was able to try out new styles with clothes that I already have in my closet but don't regularly wear.

One thing I did get out of this experiment was a newfound respect for leggings. Although they were uncomfortable at first to wear as pants, they turned out to be not so bad. Even after the five days of styling, I would consider wearing leggings more often since they don't stretch out throughout the day like a lot of my skinny jeans do.

Related: 9 Outfits You Can't Get Away With in the Real World

I also was able to use some of my business casual clothes in my everyday outfits to get more use out of them. It turns out they can be pretty cute when used as pops of color in an outfit. Who would have thought my little sister would be the one encouraging me to get use out of those business-y pieces?!

Overall, I still think there's quite a difference between college and middle school styling. However, with the carefree fashion attitude of a university, you shouldn't be afraid to try something new. Even if that something is wearing something your little sister picked out.

Renae is a college senior from the Midwest who normally blogs over at www.tealaholic.com.

With spring recruitment right around the corner, you think you’ve got everything handled: You know what to say (or what not to say), you know what to wear and you totally have your finances in order to pay for the whole thing.

Except then you start thinking about new member fees and sorority T-shirts and that cute dress you want to get for formal. You start to panic—how are you going to pay for all of this extra stuff? Relax, collegiette, because we chatted with sorority sisters all around the country to get the scoop on the hidden costs of sororities. Here are a few things you may not have realized you’d have to pay for.

1. Sorority T-shirts

Ever notice that sorority sisters have about a million different T-shirts with their Greek letters on them? That trend is no myth, according to Christine Pearson, a sophomore at the College of Charleston.

“It's a sorority-girl stereotype to have thousands of tees, and it's easy to go overboard and get too many,” she says.

While your sorority tees and other apparel are probably super cute, after a while you might notice your drawers getting a little too full and your wallet getting a little too empty.

“The trouble I had with the shirts was that when I first joined, I wanted to have just as many shirts as people who’d been in it for a few years,” says Melanie Jenkins, a junior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. “It wasn’t like explicit peer pressure to get some, but I definitely felt a desire to have as many as everyone else.”

Don’t get caught in the same trap Melanie did: Remember that your sisters have had at least an extra year than you to have gotten all those sorority tees, so cool it! You’ll have time over your next few years in the sorority to build up your collection.

How to curb the cost:

To keep your T-shirt collection from getting too out of hand, Christine and Melanie both suggest only picking the ones you are absolutely in love with.

“Since my sorority, and probably most others, have you pay for each shirt individually, it’s easier to contain yourself,” Melanie says. “Since I had to keep track of my money on a regular basis with these, I was able to keep more control.”

You can also make your own letters, like Anna Jonas, a junior at Dalhousie University, does! “You can make your own letters with a cheap sweatshirt and some fabric from a fabric store and a sewing machine,” she says. You can also try this method with some fabric glue or iron-on letters if you’re not much of a seamstress:

1. Print stencils of your Greek letters.
2. Trace them onto fabric of your choosing.
3. Align them as you desire on a T-shirt (or other clothing item of your choosing).
4. Either sew letters into place, or adhere using fabric glue.

2. Unofficial social events

 
Being in a sorority isn’t necessarily like living Casey Cartwright’s life in Greek and going to different socials free of cost. You’re going to have to pay a pretty penny to go out as often as she and Cappie did!

“If the social chair and the executive team do a good job with budget planning, you should not be paying to go to your sorority-sponsored events,” says Elodie Jean-Phillipe, a junior at Duke University. “But, for unofficial, non-sorority sponsored events, you might have to pay because technically sorority funds can't be used for non-sorority events. This includes informal pregames before going to a fraternity house or a bar/club, or a sister throwing a party for herself.”

If you’re not careful, these unofficial events could hit your wallet pretty hard.

“It’s not every weekend that you have a planned, sorority-sponsored event,” Melanie says. “You’re still probably going to go out with your sorority, especially because your sorority is such a strong part of your social life. And I definitely think there is some pressure to go out unofficially with your sorority, which is why I definitely would budget in non-sorority events every year.”

How to curb the cost:

There isn’t much of an easy way to get around this one—if you want to save money going, you’ll have to do less of it.

According to Melanie, though, skipping out gets easier the longer you’ve been in the sorority. “Once the honeymoon phase of being in the sorority wore off, I started staying in more to relax or get my homework done,” she says. “The cost started to go way down after that.”

Another way to guarantee you have some extra cash for these outings is to make sure you’re not losing money unnecessarily at other events. For many sororities, like the one Iris Goldsztajn, a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles, is in, all sorority-sponsored events are included in your dues, but they still have ways of making money off your attendance (or lack thereof) to these events.

“If we miss a mandatory event without a valid excuse, we get fined to cover the cost of the event,” Iris says. “This includes dinner before chapter meeting every week, retreats and Founders' Day.”

Not every sorority mixer will be required, but the big events like Iris named, along with formal, are usually required. Avoid losing some of your hard-earned cash by keeping track of all of these events in a planner or on a desk calendar.

Remember that for many events, specifically formal or rush week, you’re going to want to be dressed your best, and we all know that can come at a cost, too. Avoid running up a huge bill by trading formal dresses with other sisters or using flash-sale websites like HauteLook.

3. Your membership pin

 
You’re going to have to pay for your sorority pin, and believe us, those things don’t come cheap. Sorority membership pins are small pins that have your sorority’s letters on it. They’re usually gold, and can be purchased with other ornaments on it, like diamonds or pearls, for an extra cost. Sorority pins are to be worn at many formal sorority events.

While membership pins may sometimes be referred to as “optional,” collegiettes should always consider them required.

“They might seem optional, but then there are ‘badge attire’ events where you need to wear the badge or else you can get kicked out or fined,” Elodie says.

If you hear or read somewhere that membership pins are optional, we suggest you disregard that; getting kicked out or fined by your sorority because you didn’t think you needed a pin definitely is not worth saving the money.

That being said, Iris was a little bummed to hear how much her sorority pin was going to cost.

“The cheapest one cost upwards of $100, which really hurts any college budget,” she says. “Besides, if I'd had the choice, I would have gone for a fancier, golden version, but obviously spending $300+ wasn't a realistic option.”

Remember, ladies: Things that are as beautiful and pretty and shiny as your membership pin will never be cheap.

How to curb the cost:

The cost of your membership pin is going to be sort of like the extra money for social events—you’re going to have to prioritize. Do you want a gold-and-diamond membership pin? Or do you want to go on that killer spring break trip you’ve been fantasizing about? Neither answer is necessarily the right answer, but eventually you’re going to have to decide.

There usually isn’t a payment plan for membership pins, so, knowing that they are required, be aware of the cost that’s coming up.

Kelly*, who is the president of her sorority, suggests asking your sorority president or other members of the sorority’s executive board about the price for the cheapest pin. If they can give you an estimate of the cost, start saving up a little bit of the cost every one or two weeks. That way, by the time you have to pay for it, you’ll know you have the money.

4. New-member fees

 
That’s right—on top of your regular dues, you’re going to have to pay for being a new member, too.

“There's also a lot of new-member fees to pay to nationals,” Christine says. “Sometimes the costs get overwhelming paying for it myself, but I just remind myself how worth it it is.”

Even though you do have to pay these new-member fees, they are only one-time fees; you’ll pay regular nationals dues for the rest of your years in your sorority.

For some sororities, these costs, while still big, are somewhat digestible—they run around $150. For other schools, usually large ones in the South where Greek life is massive, initiation or new member fees can be upwards of $1,000.

How to curb the cost:

If you’re worried about how to pay your new-member dues, talk to a member of the executive board in your sorority.

“My sorority does not have an official payment plan for new membership fees,” Kelly says. “That said, myself and other executive board members work with any girl who approaches us with financial issues to make sure they can make it all work. We’re also very explicit that we are open to that and encourage sisters to do so. This applies to every chapter of my sorority.”

Don’t be afraid to approach your sorority’s executive board for any accommodations you might need, because more sisters than you may think also need help paying their fees. Also, remember that while there may not be many official payment plans for new-member fees, there typically are for regular dues.

“We have all of the girls pay their dues monthly, regardless of situation,” Kelly says. “We also have different payment plans for people who would prefer to do otherwise, but the standard is the monthly.”

Of the collegiettes we talked to, most will do this. Other options include quarterly, biannually or in-full payments for dues.

5. Big-little week gifts

Ah, yes, the exciting big-little reveal! Big-little week is the week leading up to the reveal of the pledges’ big sisters. The week consists of some events that are covered by dues, but the week also involves the bigs surprising their littles with gifts and the littles getting their bigs gifts once the pairs are revealed.

We’ve all seen our friends’ Instagrams about the amazing gifts bigs and littles leave each other, and you’ll do this, too. Just remember that those gifts come with a price tag.

Most sororities don’t give you a minimum that you are required to spend on your big or little; in fact, most give you a maximum.

“Most chapters will put a cap on the maximum you can spend, but not a minimum, because you can still give a lot without splurging,” Elodie says.

Kelly’s sorority, on the other hand, does put a minimum on the spending. “That minimum, daily, is $5,” she says. “You can come up with a really cute little gift basket if you get creative in the dollar store or in the dollar section of Target, and most girls actually end up spending more, but that’s totally their choice.”

Use big-little week as a time to get creative and be thoughtful. You won’t necessarily impress your big or little by getting her the most absurdly expensive gift; you’ll impress her with the perfect gift, the one that took thought and showed her you really care.

How to curb the cost:

Just like with your T-shirts, big-little week is the time to get crafty. You don’t necessarily need to clear out every Greek-inspired Etsy shop to spoil your big or little; you can be the Etsy shop yourself!

“Buying giant packs of candy and crafting dollar-store frames, mugs and canvases looks super generous and is pretty cost-effective,” Iris says.

Anna agrees. “Picture frames and prints are thoughtful and cheap,” she says.

Add your own personal touch to your big-little gifts by handcrafting some awesome T-shirts, picture frames and paddles for your awesome big or little. Hand-making it all will show her just how much you really care and will help out your finances a little along the way!

If you’re still concerned about the cost, try doing what we suggested with the membership pin: Decide ahead of time how much you want to spend on your big or little, and set that cash aside a little bit at a time. That way, you won’t notice a $200-sized hole in your bank account at the end of one week!

Despite all of the costs, hidden or not, of being in a sorority, there’s one thing you can’t put a price tag on: the close-knit relationships you’ll develop with your sisters.

“Even though it’s cost me a boatload to be in my sorority, I wouldn’t change a thing,” Melanie says. “The bond that I have with my sisters makes every penny spent completely worth it.”

*Name has been changed.

Like in many recent years, 2015 was a year of freedom and expression when it came to fashion. To determine the most popular trends, Tumblr released a list of the top 20 most reblogged fashion trends over the past twelve months. Check out the full list below:

20. Steampunk

19. Korean fashion

18. Floral

17. Pastel goth

16. Pale grunge

15. Soft grunge

14. Swag

13. Kawaii

12. Goth

11. Urban

10. Aesthetic

9. Hippie

8. Pastel

7. Alternative

6. Boho

5. Pale

4. Vintage

3. Indie

2. Hipster

1. Grunge

There you have it––Grunge was the most searched fashion trend in 2015. We can't wait to find out what 2016 has in store for us.

Did you know that Tina Fey—who wrote the screenplay for Mean Girls—took inspiration from her own high school experience for the film? And no, she was not the one being personally victimized... she was Regina George.

“I was [the Mean Girl], I admit it openly. That was a disease that had to be conquered,” Fey opens up in an interview with Net-a-Porter.

It’s hard to even imagine Fey being anything but her funny, sarcastic, witty, talented self. She described being mean as sort of a coping mechanism that she felt she needed to do in order to “level the playing field.” There was a time when everyone felt less than everyone else at some point in high school, as Fey puts it, and that there will be times when teens will not be part of the “cool group.” She adds, “Saying something terrible about someone else does not actually level the playing field.”

Today, she makes it her mission to be the complete opposite of what she was in high school. She makes sure that her daughters, Alice and Penelope, see the real side to things and not the superficial, fake, plastic side. She mentions that when Alice was small she would bring her to the 30 Rock set so she would see that being famous just comes with being an actor, but it will never define who a person is.

“This society is raising children who want to be famous for nothing, to just have followers,” Fey says.

That would explain why Ms. Norberry is always trying to lecture Cady, saying that it’s not all about sitting with the cool kids. What's more important is being yourself.

Ah, so the holidays are upon us. Everyone is sitting cozy by the fire, drinking warm peppermint flavor mochas, and getting festive in any way possible. The tree is trimmed, mom decorated the entire house to the nines, and school is finally on break. But what else can we do to add to the merriment you may ask? The answer: this Christmas lights manicure, courtesy of The Beauty Department. Be the envy of all of your friends with these super cute and trendy nails!

What you'll need:

• White nail polish
• Clear nail polish
• Two or three colors to make the lights (We'll be using red, green and gold.)
• Black thread
• Scissors or nail clippers
• A manicure stick or dull pencil to paint the lights on your nails

Step 1:

Start off by painting your nails white. Allow them to completely dry. Your nails will dry faster if you use thinner coats of nail polish. Tip: place your fingers in a cup of ice water for a few seconds, and your polish will dry right away!

Step 2:

Paint your nails with the clear nail polish and then proceed to add the black thread. It is easier to do this step one nail at a time.

Step 3:

Wait for the clear nail polish to completely dry before trimming down your thread to the size you need.

 Step 4:

Once you're all dry, use the manicure stick or dull pencil to add your colored lights. Make sure to wipe the nail polish off of the tip of the pencil when switching colors.

Step 5:

Enjoy showing off your DIY Christmas lights mani!

Happy holidays, collegiettes!

By now you’ve already found the perfect gifts for your best friends from school, your parents and even the next-door neighbor you’ve become close with. But when it comes to holiday gifting in the office, you’re a little stumped. Do you need to get all of your coworkers a gift? What’s an appropriate gift for your boss? Is gifting even expected in the office?

You’ve worked hard to get where you are today, so the last thing you want to do is make a misstep when it comes to Christmas gifting at work. We’ve put together a handy guide for everything you need to know about gift-giving etiquette in the office, from what to get to how much you should spend.

To gift or not to gift?  

You’re going to your first office holiday party, and you’ve mastered what to wear — but are you expected to show up bearing gifts, or is it okay to arrive empty-handed? And if you do bring gifts, do you need to have something for everyone?

Nick Spiller, student ventures coordinator at the University of Texas at Austin, says that the expectations differ from workplace to workplace. “Whether or not to give everyone in the office a gift is probably a matter of the company culture,” he says. “If everyone usually gives everyone else gifts, then yes, you should too. However, I doubt this is the case in many offices.”

Ask a coworker who’s been working at the company longer than you have to see what they’ve done in the past.

So you likely won’t be bringing gifts for the entire office, but the holidays are a great time to show your close coworkers and superiors that you appreciate what they do for you and that you enjoy working with them—a small token of your thanks is always welcome. Here’s what you need to know about what to give this holiday season.

1. Keep it professional

It’s best to stick to items that are work-related and professional, according to Heather R. Huhman, founder and president of Come Recommended, a content marketing and PR consultancy for job search and HR technologies.

“Consider giving a Moo.com gift card, desk organization items or a piece of office technology such as a phone charger or coffee warmer,” Huhman says.

Moo.com offers customized business cards, greeting cards and other stationery items. If you don’t know your boss on a very personal level, key in to clues as to what she prefers—check out her current desk accessories to get an idea for her aesthetic, or take note of where she grabs her meals from. If you have a colleague who makes daily coffee runs to the same café around the corner or if you notice your boss orders from the same lunch place frequently, opt for a gift card to their go-tos—not only is the gift useful, it also shows that you’re attentive to their preferences.  

Of course, keeping gifts strictly professional is not the one-size-fits-all rule for every office or workplace. If your job has a relaxed vibe, a personal but appropriate gift for your coworkers and boss could work. For example, if you have a coworker who loves all things pink, give her pink stationery or office supplies. “Some companies are like families, so you can get super personal,” Spiller says.

2. Don’t overspend

You might think that of all the people you should splurge on this holiday season, it should be your boss—but that can actually backfire and leave a bad impression.

“Although it’s difficult to find thoughtful gifts at a low price, you also don’t want to spend too much,” Huhman says. “That makes you look like you’re trying to outshine your coworkers through gift-giving.”

It’s safe to stay within the $15 or $25 price range; the point is to make a small and thoughtful gesture, not shower a colleague with an extravagant gift.

If you’re worried that sending a holiday gift will bring up negative feelings with coworkers or if the item you want to give your boss is far outside of your budget, reach out to the rest of your team to see if they’re interested in pitching in! When it’s a joint effort, you won’t be spending more than you should, and nobody in the office will feel like you’re brown-nosing.

3. Follow gift-giving etiquette

What happens if you’re only planning on giving your office besties presents or you’re getting something for everyone in the office but want to add a little something extra for your closest work friends? Huhman advises against doing so—while at work.

“If you have a few friends at work you’re especially close to, give them the same gift as everyone else, but make sure to set aside time where you can give them a more personal gift,” Huhman says.

You don’t want to bring any drama into the office or give off the impression that you’re clique-y. One easy way to avoid this? Bring one larger (but inexpensive) gift for the entire office—for example, you could bake cookies, bring in a bowl of candy or some other treat to share with everyone.

So when should you deliver gifts? Do you come in early to leave the gift on each person’s desk? Can you pop into your boss’s office, or is it more appropriate to schedule a time to stop by? It depends—if you work in a busy, fast-paced environment, it’s probably best to give gifts before work or towards the end of the workday so you’re not disturbing the workflow.

If your boss is typically easily accessible, feel free to stop by—but if she is always swamped with one project or another, check with her first before you head down to her office. Whatever time is appropriate in your office, be sure to have a face-to-face interaction.

“I would try to make a really personal interaction when giving the gift by stopping by one-on-one and saying something nice and thoughtful about the relationship you have with the person,” Spiller says. “Thank them for their help in the workplace and then give the gift.”

Every office has a different culture, which determines what kinds of gifts you should get and to whom you should give them. What’s most important isn’t how much you spend or what the gift is; it’s that you show your genuine gratitude and appreciation for the people you work with. So remember to express your thanks for a great year and your excitement to continue working with them in the New Year!

Harry Potter fanatics, we give you permission to gloat. Count the hours you spent nose-deep in J.K. Rowling’s finest storylines as time devoted to self-improvement and social awareness.

A recent study by the Journal of Applied Social Psychology shows that reading the Harry Potter series can change young individuals’ attitudes towards stigmatized groups by opening students' eyes to diverse populations. 

Not only have these best-selling pages helped to grow your imagination, but also your acceptance of marginalized populations and intolerance of prejudice behavior. But how do the studies stack up?

Researchers conducted studies on three different populations; two in Italy and one in the United Kingdom. Each group underwent an intense six-week course on dream education by way of the Harry Potter series, as stated on Mic.com. Students were separated into two groups; one which read specific passages of prejudice, including Draco Malfoy’s denunciation of Hermione as a “filthy little Mudblood” in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and another that read excerpts unrelated to bias and bigotry, such as Harry’s purchase of his first magic wand.

Italian primary school students in the first group exhibited improved attitudes towards immigrants and refugees and discussed prejudice and bigotry as the novel’s themes, while the second group did not. It’s no shock that Harry’s acceptance of minority groups including  “mudbloods,” wizards born of the common Muggle family, improved students’ perceptions of outsider groups and recognition of “prejudice” behavior.

The same trial conducted on Italian high school students showed that a reader’s emotional identification with Harry’s story correlated with his or her positive perception of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations in general, as stated on Pacific Standard.

Even if the parallels may be obvious to adults, we have Harry’s interaction with elves, goblins and sub-human species to thank for our acceptance, understanding and appreciation of every race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation. Goon, goblin or wizard, Rowling’s cast of characters helps us apply our learned acceptance of diversity from the fantasized paperback pages to the real world. 

You were SO excited for study abroad—it was going to be the time of your life! Between the amazing destination, new friends and crazy adventures, it was supposed to look a little something like The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Except it didn’t—not even close. Being disappointed by study abroad can feel like the worst thing ever, both when you’re there and wishing you were home, and when you’re home and have to answer the dreaded “How was it?” questions. Collegiettes, it’s not as bad as you think! Now that your far-from-perfect study abroad experience is over, here are a few things that will make the bitter memories a little sweeter.

1. You are not alone

We talked to four collegiettes whose time abroad didn’t go at all as planned. Annie*, a recent graduate of Colby College, says, “I have talked with a lot of younger girls who have been disappointed like I was when I studied abroad.” So it’s safe to say that not all study abroad experiences are picture-perfect—even though people make them sound like they were.

When counseling students who were disappointed, Daniel Brunstetter, PhD, the director of study abroad at the University of California, Irvine, “would tell stories of my own time abroad, not all of which are positive, to help the student realize they are not alone in not having the 'perfect abroad experience'—whatever that means.”

Still don’t believe us? Mary*, a sophomore at the University of Alabama, had to share a key with two other girls while she was abroad. When her roommates decided to stay out late partying, Mary would often be locked out of her host family’s house. And that’s just one of the horror stories collegiettes told us. But, all of them found a silver lining in these experiences.

If you talk to people around you, chances are they’ll have had similar ups and downs during study abroad and will be able to give you some perspective!

Related: 9 Mistakes to Avoid When You Study Abroad

2. You’ll know what to look for if you study abroad again

Just because your first time studying abroad didn’t meet your expectations doesn’t mean you should give up on going again (if you were planning to). It just means that you’ll know what to avoid the next time!

When Dr. Brunstetter had a sub-par study abroad experience, he “found solace in my own reflections, in talking with others who had been abroad, and in going abroad again.” His advice is probably exactly what you need to hear: “If a student had a 'disappointing' experience in one place, then I would encourage them to perhaps go some place different next time,” Dr. Brunstetter says. “If I had let the inevitable disappointments of my first expended time studying abroad guide me, then I would have missed out on so much the rest of the world has to offer.”

Mary didn’t let herself be discouraged by her unwelcoming host family and roommates. “I have participated in two other study abroad trips that have been much better, but I am always wary because of the bad experiences from my first one,” she says. Try looking into aspects of your next trip that you didn’t consider before, like which country would be best suited for you or what to pack, for instance.

3. It will help you grow

Annie hated the subject she chose to study in Geneva, Switzerland, and felt lonelier than ever during study abroad, but she didn’t let her disappointment get her down. “Looking back, I am so thankful I chose to study for a semester, even if I wasn't ready or made the ‘wrong’ choice, because it taught me a lot about who I am as a person and I grew more in that semester than my whole four years at school,” Annie says.

But even the bad times aren’t necessarily as bad as you think. “I encourage students to think of their time abroad as a series of moments, as opposed to a single experience,” Dr. Brunstetter says. “There will be ups and downs, good experiences and bad experiences, joy and sadness, challenges, triumphs and maybe failures too. I ask students to think of as many moments as they can during their time abroad and to put a word to each one, and then try to reflect on how each particular moment impacted the way they understand themselves, their own culture/country, and the culture/country they lived in while abroad.”

When you tell the story of your study abroad, you can focus on the positives instead of dwelling on the things that went wrong. But if you dig deep enough, you might find that even these lesser moments will be valuable to you in the long run.

4. It will make you appreciate the things you have back home

But what if there were no positives, you ask? Maybe we’re playing devil’s advocate here, but here’s one positive for you: a bad experience will make you appreciate the things you already have that much more. “The whole experience left me feeling homesick and appreciative of my friends and family who cared about my health and happiness,” Mary concludes. Just remember how comforting it was to come home after your trip didn’t go as well as you’d hoped!

5. It could be a sign that something else is going on in your life

When your stay goes wrong, it could be because of circumstances way out of your control—or it could be because something is keeping you from having a good time.

Michelle*, a senior at the University of California, Santa Barbara, admits that she could have had a much better study abroad experience if she hadn’t been thinking about her bad relationship the whole time. “I studied abroad in Paris last year, and while I had a lot of fun and experienced so much, I definitely felt held back by my boyfriend back home,” Michelle says. “My relationship was in a bad place when I left, and for the whole semester I was so focused on trying to repair it that I didn't fully immerse myself into this amazing opportunity.”

While Michelle wishes she could do it over, it showed her that she needed to focus more on herself and less on her boyfriend at that time in her life. Your not-so-great time abroad could help you understand another problem you’re having—and fix it!

Had a bad study abroad experience? You’re not alone, collegiettes! Even if your time in another country wasn’t what you expected, you can focus on the things you learned about yourself—and on how awesome you can make the next time you travel, now that you know what can go wrong.

*Names have been changed.

We might be in our twenties, in college being adults and all, but we all know the minute we face a problem the first person we call is mom. Moms make the world go round. They are superhumans—strong, full of wisdom and always have the answer to our questions (even the dumbest ones). Moms, what would we do without them?

1. Can you make me a doctor's appointment?

2. What's our family medical history?

3. How do I separate laundry?

4. How long do I have to boil an egg?

5. How do I cook chicken?

6. What about beef?

7. How do I know if it's done?

8. How do I write a check?

9. Can you check my bank account and tell me how much money I have available?

10. How many stamps do I put on something?

11. What even are stamps and how do they work?

12. What’s my social security number?

13. What’s the difference between debit and credit?

14. What’s credit?

15. Do I have any?

16. Do you?

17. What’s a credit score and how do I get one?

18. What’s a good credit score?

19. Does makeup expire?

20. How do I hand-wash something?

21. Like do I still use detergent or can I use hand soap?

22. How do I do my taxes?

23. Can you read over this for me?

24. How long is leftover food good for?

25. What’s the password to ___? (Basically everything)

26. What’s the difference between butter and margarine?

27. How often should I change the air filter?

28. What do I use to mop the floor?

29. Can I still drink the milk past the expiration date if it doesn't smell bad?

30. What the heck is a 401K?

31. How much should I be paying for water?

32. What about electricity?

33. Can you read the lease before I sign it?

34. Why is food so expensive?

35. Why is anything so expensive?

36. Why is being an adult so hard?

Sometimes a hookup goes terribly, horribly wrong. And it can be mortifying. But you are not alone, because these 11 college women have been there — and they’re telling all!

“I hooked up with a guy during the first week of school. We were super drunk, and I was giving him head, and he peed on me. Literally the worst thing ever; I haven't told anyone, obviously.”

-Jess, University of Toronto Class of 2017

“So I met this guy on Tinder. There was some flirty banter involved and by the end of the week, we met up. We walked around campus awhile and then headed back to my apartment. We were in my room and continuing the banter. He started to tickle me which led to us making out and taking off our clothes. He asks if I want to have sex, puts on the condom, goes for it – and then it’s all over like 30 seconds later. I barely had time to adjust to his size by the time he was done."

-Adeline, Drexel University Class of 2019

“I hooked up with some guy from my financial accounting class a few times. One time, his roommate came home with some random girl that he met at the bar. The roommate introduced the girl to us and we continued to watch the movie that we were watching. While I was watching the movie, his roommate and the girl decided to have sex while we were in the same room as them. The worst part was we were in a studio apartment so we couldn't go anywhere else. Let's just say that was the last time we hooked up.”

-Jacqueline, Pace University Class of 2017

“I was at a party I didn't really want to be at in the first place, but it was the weekend and my friend convinced me to go. Once we got there, though, the people at the party were playing pretty good music, so we started dancing. This guy came up to me and asked if I wanted to dance and I said yes. However, he pulled me in for this really weird front-to-front dancing, which got so awkward because he, like, put his leg under me at one point to get closer and I was basically just sitting on his lap and swaying and also having no idea where to look. Then, he goes in for the kiss and starts more or less annihilating my face. Tongue was everywhere so much so that I could feel his drool — not mine — on my face. Hot, right? Anyway, after a few minutes of this and also still being in the weird kind-of sitting, swaying, awkward position, he pulls away from me and just goes, ‘Well, you're a good dancer,’ and just walks away. So long story short, I was simultaneously called a good dancer and a bad kisser after a hookup and was not pleased.”

-Molly, NYU Class of 2018

“Things started off great, he was a great kisser so I had semi-high expectations... but then when we started to have sex, he climbed on top of me and just laid there. His whole weight was on top of me, and he didn't move, so I don't know if I could consider it sex… Let's just say I didn't hit him up again.”

-Sophie, Bentley University Class of 2017

“There was this guy I had a fling with and we're hooking up and then he just runs out of the room, a few minutes later I get up — naked — to unlock the door because I thought he was struggling, but nope it was his roommate telling me my fling was puking his brains out in the bathroom. Every time I see his roommate I don't know how to act.”

-Kaitlyn, Bryant University Class of 2016

“I met this guy at a gala my first week of freshman year. He was a Southern man going to school in New England so of course he wooed me! He said all the right things and sure enough I went home with him, and told my friends it was cool to leave without me. Next thing I know I'm told that if I don't have sex with him I needed to leave. So I said fine please bring me home. He said no and left me alone at his house while he left with his bro's to get food and wouldn't let come along. I ended up walking home in the dark. I somehow got home by dawn.”

-Hails, Sacred Heart University Class of 2017

“Earlier in the semester, I met a guy out at a party. We were both pretty drunk and went back to my place to hookup. I woke up in the middle of the night and he wasn't there, so I assumed he left. I went to the bathroom and found him lying on the floor in my room. I was pretty confused, but left him there because I didn't know what else to do. In the morning, he was gone...but there was a pee stain on my rug. Just my luck.”

-Rihannon, James Madison University Class of 2017

“I hooked up with a guy and he made us sleep on an air mattress in his common room instead of in his shared room. The air mattress was like partially deflated so I was uncomfortable all night and barely slept. However, when I did sleep something terrible happened and I woke up covered in his pee. I don’t know if he didn’t realize or was just mortified, but he tried to play it off like he spilled something in the bed. Naturally I had to walk home (thankfully he gave me pants) and I could not have gotten in the shower quicker or stayed in longer. I shudder when I think of this.”

-Elizabeth, Dartmouth College Class of 2016

“During Halloweekend, I was going home with this very attractive soccer player. While walking to his dorm, he apologizes for how dirty his room is (which is fine, we've all been there). When I get there, the only thing out of place are his bed sheets, and everything else is pristine. Maybe he forgot he cleaned earlier? A few minutes go by, and mid-hookup he stops and immediately stands up and begins frantically cleaning. He sprays not one, but two scents of air freshener, causing me to choke. He then tells me to get off his bed so he can make it (which makes no sense). Finally, he gets his guitar and says ‘I’m going to play for myself, you don’t have to stay if you don't want.’ So I put on my Halloween costume and left.”

-Morgan, Tufts University Class of 2018

“One time this guy I had a crush on forever finally started talking to me at a party one night. We ended up going back to his place. First off, he was a horrible kisser, but I decided to deal with it. He was so cute and I've been wanting this to happen forever, so better stick through it, right? Then in the middle of making out, he gets this terrible nose bleed and the blood got on me! To make it worse, he tried clogging his nose with toilet paper and wanted to continue hooking up while his nose was still bleeding! Umm, sorry, no thanks!”

-Christina, NYU Class of 2018

1. You describe hot people as “so fu*king fine!” 

Swear words just explain your feelings a little better than regular language ever could.

2. Food always gets a little swear word thrown in there too... 

“This cheeseburger is the f*cking shit.” 

3. Cursing embraces your creative side with all your clever combinations! 

Shit is a noun, adjective, verb and adverb to you.

4. Your language will prevent you from ever becoming the neighborhood babysitter

#SorryNotF*ckingSorry

5. Swearing also helps you give advice! 

It makes your point with a little bit more emphasis.

6. When actions speak louder than words...

Flip them the bird!

7. Your parents scold you all the time

Mom and dad, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

8. You have absolutely no filter

And you don't care, either.

9. You have had to go to extreme lengths for autocorrect to catch your f*cking flow

Siri better stop playing these f*cking games.

10. You believe you only get your point across when you swear

F*cking duh!

11. Others fear giving you the microphone 

They better have a censor nearby. 

12. Swearing mixed with drinking is a recipe for a disaster 

Even you can't believe some of the things you said...

13. Sometimes, you fret because you might sound unlady like...

But then you remember that you don't give a shit!

14. Curse words are great for telling people how you feel

Read it and weep.

15. You have no problem rapping explicit songs 

It's actually one of your secret passions.

16. Arguing equals cursing 

It will be messy, and you will win.

17. Your catchphrase even includes swearing 

Britney started it!

We can't f*cking help it, so everyone leave us the f*ck alone. Thanks.

With the fall semester (hopefully) over, we know all you can think about doing for the next few weeks is lying on the couch with a pile of snacks and watching an abundance of Netflix. You need to recover from the whirlwind of final exams, limited sleep and general chaos that is college. But what if you decided to be more productive over winter break? Just think about how successful you’d feel if you decided to do one thing over break that you could later put on your resume. Here are a few of the best options for beefing up your resume over break!

1. Volunteer

The holiday season is a great time to lend a hand. Unlike an internship or job, volunteer positions are not very competitive and are flexible when it comes to time commitment. Tom Dezell, author of Networking for the Novice, Nervous, or Naive Job Seeker, says volunteerism looks excellent on a resume. It highlights your interests and shows that you’re willing to commit time without expecting money in return. “It allows for opportunities to gain experience,” Dezell says. “Employers value actual experience, paid or unpaid.”

Nursing homes and hospitals love having volunteers come in and talk to residents or patients to brighten their days. Check with your local hospital or nursing home to find ways to get involved. If you're obsessed with going green, national and state parks are always looking for volunteers. There's also the option to take trips with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for underprivileged families.

2. Take a temporary job

With holiday shopping in full swing, there are plenty of temporary job openings available at retail stores over winter break. Check out openings at your local mall or other shops and take a job working at your favorite store. You can learn a lot, and it’s always nice to make a little extra cash!

Megan Seamens, a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky, has worked at a variety of stores over winter break for the past few years. “Getting a job at this time is an awesome idea,” she says. “There’s plenty of work to do; you meet really cool people and become familiar with the basics of having a job.” It’s also a solid resume builder. Dezell says potential employers will be impressed that you tried to gain more experience in the job force. “Anything that can give you experience will make you more marketable upon graduating,” he says.

3. Find a winternship

Similar to a temporary job, a winternship is a prime use of your time over the winter break. A winternship is a short internship during December and January. Dezell suggests checking with your school’s career center and alumni offices for possibilities. “Keep in mind that many companies view internships as great ‘win-win’ scenarios,” he says. “Reach out to companies you would hope to work at…and offer your services as an intern," Dezell says.

Check out online listings for winternships on sites like Intern Queen. You could also reach out to people in your personal network to see if anyone is looking for an extra hand. Dezell recommends looking up people who are working in places you hope to work at one day and reaching out directly to them. “Don't be shy. Once you do this a couple of times you will learn that people truly enjoy and welcome opportunities to assist and mentor people entering their fields,” he says.

4. Create your own website

In today’s digital age, maintaining a professional online presence is a huge factor for your future.  And during the job search, having your own website could really impress those tech-savvy employers. If you have a creative major, such as communications, photography, film, music or art, a website is a great way to display examples of your work. Randall McClure, an assistant professor of English at Miami University, says having a website is extremely beneficial for students. “Building their own professional website shows employers that the student is serious about employment and about how they are seen as a potential employee,” he said.

Creating your own personal website may sound daunting, but McClure says that your website doesn’t have to be super elaborate. “Information should include basic contact information, a professional photo, career goals, maybe some sample student projects, a resume and perhaps a personal touch or two,” he says. And a website doesn’t have to come with a huge price tag either. Websites such as Wix, Wordpress and Blogger offer free accounts and provide step-by-step guides to starting your very own website.

5. Learn a new skill

With plenty of downtime, why not learn something new this winter break? Whether it’s Photoshop or coding, try playing around with a new application and become familiar with it. You don’t need a classroom and textbook to educate yourself! If you want to learn how to code, check out Codecademy. You could also learn to enhance the way you use social media. Try out Hootsuite, a site that allows you to manage your different social media accounts. No matter how far you go into your coursework, there’s always room to add something completely new to your bag of tricks.

All in all, there’s no better time to check something off of your resume to-do list than this winter break. If you think about it, you have a whole month or longer to relax, watch TV and spend time with family and friends. That also leaves plenty of spare time to do something you’d never have time to do during the busy semester. So take advantage of these options—you might just get a job because of it!

Ever since we heard that there'd be a Harry Potter play, we've been thinking up our dream cast. This week, we finally learned who'd be playing the coveted main roles in next year's Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. And when the cast list came out? Some fans weren't too happy to find that Noma Dumezweni, a black woman, would be playing Hermione Granger.

Many took to the internet to complain about the choice; those who've become accustomed to Emma Watson's portrayal of the character argued that it didn't make sense to cast a black woman in the part, but as J.K. Rowling pointed out on Twitter, Hermione's race was never mentioned in the books. Ultimately, Hermione's qualities include being incredibly smart, witty and clever—and these qualities aren't limited to white women.

Rowling, along with several actors from the Harry Potter films, have been taking to social media to voice their support and excitement over the casting. Rowling has also been retweeting empowering messages from Twitter users making their approval known.

The play is set after the series as we know it, following the trio as middle-aged wizards. And now that we know Noma's playing our ultimate girl hero Hermione, we're even more excited to see it. Who's coming to London with us next summer?

If you haven't heard the good news yet, the cast of one of the greatest Netflix originals to binge-watch, Orange is the New Black, is back on set filming for season 4 already. As if that isn't enough of a Christmas present already, the whole crew had another surprise in store for viewers.

OITNB viewers have been itching for the show to return, so the members of the cast came together to make a holiday-themed video. Inmates and wardens alike appeared in a parody of "The Night Before Christmas," titled, "'Twas A Night In Litchfield" that made us remember why we all love the Netflix original so much.

The video tells the story of Santa Claus visiting the prison on Christmas, with characters from the show taking turns reciting lines and adding their own personal narratives along the way. It captures the dynamic of Litchfield just like we remember it to be, right down to Pensatucky's religious nature. 

Related: 13 Netflix Documentaries You Need to Watch

If Jenji Kohan and her crew released this video to remind us of how much we love the bonds that these characters have, it worked. Orange is the New Black is such a successful show because of the fluidity it has when it comes to good and evil. The show has never been about a concrete "good guy" and "bad guy" drama; it's taken television shows to a whole new level and we can't wait to see what other rules it'll break in season 4. 

Until then, we'll have to stick to the Christmas gift they've given us, below. Enjoy!

Spike's Lip Sync Battle is easily one of the most hilarious shows on TV, and it's about to get a whole lot better. In January, the show will return for a second season, and it'll kick off with a battle featuring our OTP: Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Tatum. Based on a teaser trailer for the episode, we have a feeling that the competition will be absolutely fierce. Channing won't be sharing any Magic Mike-related moves, but he'll be channeling his inner Beyoncé for a killer performance. The hour-long episode will also feature Channing dressed up as a Disney princess. Yes, you read that correctly. Channing will be lip syncing to Frozen's "Let It Go," while dressed as Elsa (blonde wig, blue dress, and fake snow included). This is definitely one episode that you don't want to miss.    

Who will be crowned the winner? Tune in to Spike on Thursday, January 7 at 10 P.M. to find out! 

During winter break, you can only sit on your couch and watch Netflix for so long. Eventually you have to go out into your hometown…which means seeing everyone you knew in high school. Great.

1. Your High School Best Friend

It’s like you never left. Plus, you don’t even need catch up since you stalk each other’s Facebooks regularly. She’s the perfect person to wear sweatpants and drink wine with when you’re feeling antisocial.

2. The Superficial Girl

You were sort of acquaintances in high school, but now every time you run into her at Starbucks, she hugs you and screams and acts like you were lifelong besties. She always asks you to catch up, but you never do.

3. The Eye-Contact Avoider

You know her. You KNOW you know her. But as soon as you make eye contact, she puts her head down and pretends you’re a stranger. It’s even better when you’re in the middle of that awkward half-wave. 

4. Your (Really Cute) High School Ex-Boyfriend

You've definitely moved on, but damn, he still looks good. Somehow you still get tongue-tied when he asks how you’re doing. Maybe you should ask for his new number…

5. Your (Really Annoying) High School Ex-Boyfriend

Without fail, he texts you every break and asks to get back together. Running into him is like a bad rom-com because he’s still convinced you’re soulmates. No thanks.

6. The Party Thrower

So what you never really spoke in high school? You know he always throws house parties, so now you’re strictly drinking buddies.

7. Your Clique That Drifted Apart

Distance got the best of you, and despite coffee-date catchups, you realize you have NOTHING in common anymore. So instead of reminiscing about your high school adventures, you’re stuck in uncomfortable conversations about your classes and the weather.

8. The Hottie Hookup

He’s that one football player you had a crush on for years, but nothing ever happened. When you see him on New Year’s, you make it your goal to snag him as your midnight kiss. So what if he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed? You’re doing this for your sophomore self.

9. The Complete Transformation

When you run into her at the grocery store, you barely recognize her. She went from gawky to gorgeous and now plans to drop out of school to become a full-time model. Some people just walk in the light, you know?

10. The Newlyweds

They were Prom King and Queen in high school, they went to the same college and you vaguely remember groaning at their engagement announcement on Facebook. When you run into them, you can't help but stare at the girl's ring and feel so incredibly old. What happened to "casually dating" in your twenties?

11. The Guy Who's Stuck in High School

Even though you graduated and moved onto bigger and better things, every time you run into him, he's wearing his varsity jacket and reminiscing about the good old days. It's like deja vu because he literally hasn't changed. At all.

When you have short hair, it can be difficult to do your hair in a fancy style or look. During the holidays, you want to dress things up and get your fancy on—and fortunately, there are so many more ways than you could EVER imagine to style your short locks! These tutorials will help you figure out the perfect fancy hairstyle for all of your holiday parties. 

1. Back Tuck

This simple style is so elegant. Simply pull your hair back, twist once to help anchor your strands, and then roll and tuck it in the middle. Pin it with bobby pins or a pretty barrette to secure it!

2. Half Knot Up-do

This look is so easy—take the upper half of your hair, and twist it into a mini messy bun. One of our favorites! 

3. Side Braid

Take a chunk of hair from the front and pull it into a simple braid. Pin the braid to the side, and curl the rest of your hair! 

4. French Braid

Create a French braid close to your scalp, and pin the tail behind your ear. Fancy! 

5. Fishtail Braid

Fishtail braids are our favorite! They make any hair style look so much fancier.

6. Deep Part

Deep part your hair on the opposite side that you normally do for extra volume and oomph. Once all your volume is established, curl all your hair, and hairspray it to keep it in place.

7. Beach Waves

Beach waves are so cute, and they turn any holiday look into a classy, relaxed style. 

8. The Double Up

This tutorial shows you how to do this sweet style. Use glittery clips to make things even more festive. 

9. Braided Mohawk

This tutorial shows you how to create the prettiest braided mohawk updo—which makes it look like you have way more hair than you do! 

10. Pinup Look

Highlight your face by pulling back the front bits of your hair into a pouf. Use fancy, shiny pins to hold your hair in place! 

When in doubt, toss a sparkly headband into your hair, or pin it back with a bejeweled clip!

Need more ways to style your short hair? Check out this article! 

Kylie Jenner has been on everyone's radar lately. From her constantly changing hair color to the much-coveted Kylie Lip Kit, Kylie has become a beauty icon for many collegiettes. That's why we've compiled our 50 favorite looks that Kylie rocked in 2015. Get ready for some major inspo.