Why you think your phone is buzzing when it's not. [Newser]

This woman counts the Oscar ballots. [I Want Her Job]

If you're not losing friends, you're not growing up. [Your Tango]

The 3 causes of senioritis. [The Huffington Post]

Vintage red carpet fashion. [New York Magazine]

Slightly awkward guys are more attractive. [Thought Catalog]

Being single in college was the greatest gift. [PopSugar]

The full story of Adele. [BBC]

This promposal is amazing. [Fusion]

The controversial world of competitive yoga. [Racked]

After spending the past month in oversized sweatshirts eating Girl Scout cookies, trying on a bikini is probably right up there with calculus homework and getting your wisdom teeth removed on the list of things you least want to do—and we don’t blame you.

But spring break is right around the corner, which means you can’t avoid the cramped dressing rooms and department stores much longer. Bikini shopping can be downright dreadful, but there are steps you can take to make the experience a little less miserable.​

1. Come prepared

 
Before you embark on the search for the bikini of your dreams, make sure you bring along these key accessories:

• A pair of flip-flops—because no swimsuit is going to look right when you’re rocking your UGG boots and wool socks.
• A thong—because trying to fit bikini bottoms over your underwear will be nearly impossible, and you don’t want to violate any of the store’s hygiene policies.
• Your best friend—because she will offer sound advice and suggestions after you’ve tried on your fifteenth bikini and are starting to act delusional.
• Self-tanning lotion—this isn’t a must, but it’s a safe alternative to tanning beds and may make you feel more confident about trying on a bikini in the winter. 

There are also steps to take to ensure that you’re maintaining a positive body image throughout the bikini shopping process. “Before I go shopping or to try on bikinis, I take a shower, wear my favorite underwear, and put on a little makeup,” says Sarah Dilick, a freshman at New York University. “I do whatever makes me feel best because I know I’ll need it that day.”

2. Know what you want

Once you’re equipped with the necessities listed above, it’s time to determine what exactly you’re looking for in a bikini.

Although bikini styles are constantly evolving, there are certain looks that are tried and true. Think back to bikinis you’ve had in the past, and which ones you’ve felt the most confident in. Do you like the look of bandeaus? Do you need the support of an underwire top? Setting out with your preferences in mind will make it much easier to narrow down your choices.

“I think it’s important to keep in mind that not every store or every bikini you try on is going to look or feel good on you,” Sarah says. “It takes time and shopping around to find what you feel best in, but you can’t expect everything to work.”

3. Follow these bikini rules

You’ve probably heard of some bikini myths before, and while some of them may be true, others may be holding you back from your ultimate bikini. While we can speculate, it’s up to you to determine what you prefer and what you feel the most comfortable in. That being said, we’ve come up with a few rules to help you with the process.

Rule #1: White can work

If you’ve shopped for bikinis before, you’ve probably been told at one point or another to steer clear of white swimsuits, as white fabric and water don’t often mix too well. While this may be true of thinner bikinis, white bikinis with a thick, nude-colored padding or liner don’t pose this problem. If you fall in love with a white bikini, be sure to try it on and check how thick it is before leaving it behind.

Rule #2: Look for patterns and colors that slim

As a general rule, vertical stripes, as well as darker colors such as black, plum and navy create a visually slimming effect.

Rule #3: Embrace the small-chested struggle

If you’re a collegiette with a smaller chest, trying a bikini with ruffles can help to accentuate your shape. It’s all about what works for you!

4. Try on your size and another one (and another one)

It goes without saying that trying on a bikini before you buy it is essential, but be sure to try on a variety of different sizes before making your final decision. When you find a bikini you like, head to the dressing room with one in your size and one in the next size up. Start with the largest size and work your way down until you find a fit that’s just right.

Also, don’t be alarmed if the top size of your bikini is different from the bottom size that you need. It’s completely normal to wear different sizes in the two pieces.

5. Jump around (literally) 

Once you’ve found a bikini that you’re confident feels just right, it’s time to put it to the test. After all, you’re not going to spend every day at the pool or beach just basking in the sun (although there’s nothing wrong with that!). Try a few different moves in the dressing room to ensure a perfect fit, such as bending over, lifting your arms above your head, or sitting cross-legged. This will give you a better idea of just how good of a fit the bikini is for you.

If you’re worried about testing out a bikini in the dressing room, you may want to try ordering your next one from a website. Although ordering a piece such as a bikini online may be risky, trying it on at home allows you more freedom for moving around and testing it out. If you opt for online shopping, look for a store with a flexible return policy, and consider ordering the suit you like in two different sizes. After you determine which size is perfect for you, you can mail the others back.

 
Although bikini shopping will never be as fun as spring break itself, there are plenty of ways to make it less miserable. Step out to the stores with an open mind but a certain idea of what you’re looking for, and you’re guaranteed to find the bikini that’s best for you. Good luck collegiettes, and let the countdown to spring break begin!

College relationships are complicated. No one knows what he or she is doing, everyone hooks up with everyone and a lot of the time you have absolutely no idea where you stand with a “romantic” partner. Arguably the most complicated of all, however, are hookups.

At the time of getting into a no-strings attached relationship, you probably thought that the idea sounded fun and easy. Once you realize that your life has not become a romantic comedy, though, you might change your mind. Since you’re not actually dating the person, it’s way scarier to say how you feel and thereby get what you want out of the relationship. Even asking when the last time the sheets were washed – something you seriously want to know – can seem intimidating. Here are a few things we want to have the courage to say – and should!

1. “Let’s define the relationship”

Before you get into any type of romantic or sexual relationship, it’s always important that both people know exactly what the terms are. If you’re thinking, “Well, duh,” you might be surprised to find out that experts say we are actually terrible at doing this.

Dr. Lisa Wade, associate professor and chair of the sociology department at Occidental College, says that college students in hookups are typically afraid to ask the other person to sit down with them and have “DTR” conversation. “When people are scared, they just don’t define the situation, which makes it really hard to redefine the situation if you ever want to,” Dr. Wade says. “There should always be an open door to talk about what the relationship is.”

As Dr. Wade explains, not defining the relationship can cause awkward issues later on. Mary Claire*, a junior at the University of Georgia, ran into trouble with her hookup buddy after the guy she thought was just a hookup asked her to meet his mom and dad while they were in town for Parents’ Weekend. “It was really awkward,” she says. “We had hooked up four or five times, and he had never shown any signs of liking me [romantically]. He asked me to come to brunch with his parents and I was so shocked, I didn’t even know what to say. I told him no, and then we stopped hooking up.”

Lesson learned: Sit down and have the talk. You’ll both feel more comfortable knowing the terms and it will be a lot easier to change them later on if need be.

2. “I want something more meaningful”

It’s common knowledge that if we’re not somewhat careful about the people we hook up with, we run the risk of hurting our self-esteem. Despite our best attempts at keeping emotions out of the way, the fact is that sex is intimate, and it can be harder than we think to not get attached.

Maybe you originally thought you wanted a carefree, no-strings-attached relationship. If or when that changes, though, you should to tell him or her you’re no longer getting what you want. Dr. Carole Lieberman, a Beverly Hills psychiatrist and author of Bad Girls: Why Men Love Them & How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets, encourages women to be honest with their sexual partner about why they want to move on.

“You should be able to tell your hookup buddy, ‘Hey, this arrangement has been great, but now I’m feeling a little empty after each time we have sex and I want something more meaningful with someone,’” Dr. Lieberman says. Opening up about your feelings may seem scary, but the only way to open yourself up to other potential romances is to end the relationship you’re currently unsatisfied in.

3. “Ask me what I like in bed”

While experts agree that friends with benefits are bad at communicating with each other about practically everything, there’s one topic that couples in all kinds of relationships tend to avoid. Ironically, it’s the one that we should probably talk the most about: pleasure.

According to Dr. Wade, hookup buddies are shy about telling their partners want they want in bed. She says that this is partially due to women wanting to seem laid-back, and we agree with her when she says that it’s a major problem. “Everybody’s trying to seem like they don’t really care,” she explains, “because that’s how [we’ve learned that] you don’t seem desperate; it leads to a downward spiral where nobody wins.”

Imagine what it would be like if we all stopped playing this repetitive game: Instead of pretending like you like when he kisses your ear or when she rubs her foot against yours, tell your hookup buddy what you’d rather him or her do. Find out what your cutie likes and clue him or her into what you want. It’ll open a whole new world of pleasure.

4. “Can I keep stuff at your place?”

No, you’re not dating. Yes, you would still like to not have to transport a bag of necessities every time you’re at your hookup’s place. If you’re regularly hooking up – and especially if you’re sleeping over – you have a right to ask to keep a few things around. You don’t have to have an entire drawer to yourself, but a few pairs of underwear and a toothbrush would definitely be nice.

Kristen*, a junior at The University of Texas, never left anything at her last hookup buddy’s place because neither of them talked about it. “I wish he had offered to let me leave a toothbrush and makeup remover over there,” she says. “I would have to wake up and sneak into his bathroom in the middle of the night to brush my teeth with my finger.”

No one wants to brush her teeth with her finger at 2 a.m. Just ask for a little space – and, if you’re the host, be willing to offer up some room as well.

5. “I’m falling for you”

This one is a kicker, and according to Dr. Lieberman, it’s all too common. That isn’t exactly rocket science; after all, in the movies, the couple always ends up together. While you definitely shouldn’t get into this kind of relationship with the intention of one day becoming a couple, it tends to happen accidentally with at least one person.

Unfortunately for those of us who like to sweep things under the rug, Dr. Lieberman says that the worst thing you can do is ignore it – even if it would make your life easier. “You don’t want to ignore signs of a growing attraction because you just want to keep it at the friends-with-benefits level,” she advises.

Out of all the things we wish we could say, this one is probably the scariest. You don’t want to come on too strong and make your partner feel pressured, but a little bit of opening up about how you think you might be into something more romantic could put you two on a path to becoming a couple. Who knows? Maybe he or she will feel the same way.

6. “I deserve to be respected”

The funny thing about this one is that it should be completely obvious. Everyone deserves to be respected, whether you’re in a committed relationship or just having sex for fun. The worst betrayal of a hookup buddy would be to look at the relationship – and you– in a degrading way.

Guys talk. Girls talk. Most likely, your relationship will not be a secret. Even more likely, it will draw a lot of questions from your social circles. The only thing that matters is that both you and your partner feel respected in whatever agreement you have worked out, our experts agree. If you know your cutie isn’t trash-talking you to other people, you’ll feel a lot more confident about what you two have.

7. “I met someone else… and I actually want to date them”

If your friend were to tell you she’s stressed about choosing between two guys, you might want to slap her in the face. However, being stuck in the middle of two love interests is actually a seriously stressful situation – especially if one of them is your current hookup buddy. Part of you may be saying to stick to the easy, emotionless sex. The other part of you, however, might want someone to cuddle with the next morning.

Deciding between the two of them is a personal choice, but experts say you should make up your mind sooner rather than later. In this situation, honesty is the best policy – and Dr. Lieberman says you definitely need to clue your hookup buddy in on what’s going on. She claims that women should be able to say without fear, “I’ve met someone who I’m attracted to, and he or she asked me out. I want to be honest with you about it.”

Being so upfront could be a little awkward, but it’s much better than your partner finding out from someone other than you.

Since there’s still no way to read minds, the only way for your partner to know any of this stuff is if you actually tell him or her (Dun dun duuuuun). If you’re thinking there’s no way you could ever be this honest, Dr. Lieberman assures you you’re not alone. “Hookup buddies avoid having conversations about how they really feel toward each other, what they really want from the arrangement and similar topics that get more awkward as the arrangement goes on,” she says.

Simply put, if you can deal with the little bit of awkwardness that it might take to get yourself to be honest, you’ll probably be happier in the long run. Remember: Your hookup is lucky to be with you. Don’t let him or her forget it!

*Names have been changed to protect identities.

Emma Watson may have grown up playing the role of Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of her age, but in reality, there are some things she’s still learning about. In an interview with Gloria Steinem, the actress opened up about her subscription to OMGYes.com, a website dedicated to research on female sexuality.

Watson says her friend recommended the website, which claims to “lift the veil on women’s sexual pleasure.” The researchers and filmakers behind OMGYES conducted 1,000 interviews with women across the country, and then conducted another 1,000 interviews with women nationally representative of different locations, ages and cultures. The 2,000 total women who participated in the study ranged from age 18 to 95, and they shared their sexual experiences and the different techniques they found most rewarding.

The website then makes these findings available to other women and their partners who may have trouble achieving sexual pleasure but aren't quiet sure what to do about it. If you choose to subscribe to OMGYES, you'll have access to the 12 full-length episodes of season one, 50 short videos and 11 “touchable videos” and graphics that allow you to practice and perfect these techniques.

At $29 for a subscription, Watson admits it is expensive but encourages women to check the website out because “it’s worth it.” The topic of female sexuality is taboo in many societies around the world, and thus, there has yet to be large-scale research as thorough as OMGYES's study. The website's videos of women honestly explaining and demonstrating sexual techniques are not only refreshing but important. Women are too often shamed for being sexual beings, yet the oversexualzation of women in the media perpetuates myths of female sexuality and, especially in Hollywood movies, their sexual pleasure. In order to overcome the stigma and stereotypes of being sexually active, it is necessary to empower women with resources to openly seek out information and advice about exploring their sexuality.

Watson says she wishes OMGYES "had been around longer," and we couldn't agree more.

Mindy Kaling has always been an advocate for diversity in Hollywood. Her role on The Office is often seen as pivotal not only for Indian-American actresses but also for women of all body types. Unfortunately for many actors like Kaling (who aren't straight white men, as The New York Times puts it), Hollywood gatekeepers prove a constant struggle. 

The debate about diversity in Hollywood has long been a hot topic but, since this year's Oscar nominations were revealed, the issue has gotten a lot more attention. So many of our favorite actors and actresses are now speaking up about their experiences in fascinating and enlightening interviews with the publication. For instance, Ken Jeong of The Hangover tells The New York Times that a professor told him to “stay the hell out of L.A.” because he was a good actor. What?!

Former Disney star, America Ferrera, reveals that she altered her appearance to look white after being told that the movie she was auditioning for had already cast a Latino and wasn’t looking to add another, much less a Latina. Eva Longoria and Aziz Ansari open up about pressures to do an accent to be considered—on screen, at least—part of the ethnic groups they already belong to. And Kimberly Pierce, director of Boys Don’t Cry (an independent film that documented the real-life story of transgender teen, Brandon Teena), has commented time and time again about the discrimination that she and her movies have faced—subjected to unjustifiable editing and Pierce receiving just half of her pay in some bizarre instances. 

So, what happens now? Thanks to the brave many who are standing up against the norm, awareness about diversity in Hollywood—or the lack thereof—is at an all-time high. Kaling says, “My role is not just artist. It's also activist…”

And that’s just the kind of attitude Hollywood needs. 

One day, when I get to meet you and I have the pleasure of watching you grow, I hope to instill in you the ideal to be a victim of your own optimism and to never stop smiling.

Some days the world is at odds against you, and you won’t like the person you are or want to leave your bed. Realize that nothing lasts forever and better days do lie ahead…I promise. All of your problems will not be solved in a day, but just stay calm, and know you are never given an obstacle that you are not strong enough to handle.

Please understand that there are just some things you cannot control, and that’s perfectly okay. We aren’t always meant to know what is going to happen in the future. If you’re anything like your mother and her perfectionist ways, this will not be the easiest thing to grasp. Be a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and there’s a new life lesson to be learned almost every day, some more valuable than others.

Always do things with meaningful intentions. Don’t do them for popularity, or social media likes and favorites, or because you feel pressured or afraid. Sit with the girl who is sitting alone at lunch, make an effort to visit your loud grandparents who never stop prying about how college is going, be the first to say hi when you see someone you never quite clicked with in high school.

I cannot stress enough to you: to love. Love fiercely and freely, in all ways. Fall in love with a boy, fall in love with your relatives, fall in love with your friends. Do it often and do it without fear, because things can change in the blink of an eye, and you never know when the last time with someone close to your heart is going to be.

Test your limits and work hard for what you want. Be passionately involved with anything and everything that interests you despite of what the rest of the crowd is doing. Joining clubs and groups in high school and college helped define the person I am today not only academically, but also personally and professionally. Try out for varsity cheerleading even if you aren’t the most coordinated or apply for that internship you’ve heard how difficult it is to get picked for.

What took me almost 21 years of my life to learn is to not worry about what anyone else is doing but yourself. Your biggest competitor in this world is you. Please do not compare yourself to other girls. Your focus should be to become a better version of yourself than the person you were yesterday. Success means believing in your abilities and the person you are. If you put yourself out there regardless of what anyone else is doing or saying, with confidence, you will go far.

Most importantly, be appreciative. There are times you will be discouraged with peers who make you feel that they are more fortunate than you are, and this sometimes will hold true. The truth is there will always be someone who has it better than you and someone who has it worse than you. Life is all about perspective, and those that are thankful for what they have are always rewarded with more.

1. She’s all over ALL of your social media accounts

2. When she introduces herself to your other friends, their response is: “We know.”

3. Her enemy is your enemy by transitive property- no questions asked

4. And when she is somewhat cordial to them (we’re talking basic manners) you are fully entitled to looking at her like this:

5. People are confused when you tell them you’re best friends because you practically bully each other in public

6. She has never made fun of you for all of your stupid questions

7. An invite to one of you is vicariously an invite for the other

8. Every Instagram picture and caption has been approved by your bestie (if she didn’t choose them herself)

9. She always knows how to cheer you up

10. You get severe social anxiety when you are in a public setting without her

11. When other people are gossiping about her your response looks something like this:

12. That is, if it doesn’t look like this:

13. She always laughs at your awful jokes

14. When people tell you something that you can’t tell anyone you look like this:

15. But when you're inevitably going to have to share with you-know-who, you feel like this

16. Her opinion is the only one that matters

17. You have already started writing your bridesmaid speech for her wedding

18. All the while you have nightmares about the day she finds her soulmate and leaves you

19. And even though sometimes your friendship feels like this:

20. You know you will always love her

Your spring break will only be as good as the posse you have with you. Whether you’re hitting up a party hot spot, going abroad or planning a staycation in town, these are the friends you’re going to be eating, drinking, sleeping, shopping and doing everything with for a week. For optimal spring break fun, we’ve got a list of every type of friend you need by your side as you take on a week of freedom.

1. The Guy Magnet

You know the friend we’re talking about: the girl who, no matter where she goes, attracts a flock of men to her side. Her magnetism isn’t just uncanny, it’s a dang superpower, and it makes her the perfect ally to have on your vacay. The Guy Magnet will ensure a potential spring break fling is always in your radius. With all the fun there is to be had on spring break, the less time you spend seeking out guys – and the more The Guy Magnet’s hotness draws them to you instead – the better!

The Guy Magnet’s catchphrase:“Will there be guys there?”

Extra perk: Free drinks. You know guys are always tripping over themselves to treat The Guy Magnet and her posse to refreshments on them!

2. The Wingwoman

Sure, The Guy Magnet will attract the guys, but The Wingwoman will help you land one. A dedicated partner in crime will help you work the bar if you need it and make your spring-break flirting game 10 times better. Not only will having someone you’re in sync with add more tricks to your flirting arsenal, but let’s be real: teaming up to score is always more fun than going at it alone. Just be sure you help her get some, too.

The Wingwoman’s catchphrase:“Which guy do you want?”

Extra perk: Your wingwoman knows your taste, so you might meet someone you’ll like as more than just a weeklong fling.

3. The Photog

Let’s be real: The Photog is a blessing any time of the year, but when you have a friend who is on it when it comes to capturing your Kodak moments, she’s a necessary addition to any spring break group. She’ll be the one snapping candids, reminding you to pose at touristy stops and juggling her iPhone and DSLR on every outing. Sometimes her constant need to document everything might get on your nerves (why does she need a picture of you guys brushing your teeth, anyway?), but you know you secretly appreciate it, especially when it comes time for a new prof pic. So smile, say cheese and let the magic happen!

The Photog’s catchphrase:“Don’t worry; I’ll put them all on Facebook.”

Extra perk: She knows all your best angles – and gets those Insta-worthy candid shots!

4. The Planner

Spring break may be about letting loose and getting wild, but that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be a little method to your madness, so make sure someone in your group doesn’t mind taking the reins on the planning. The Planner will know which hot spots to hit up, where the party’s at and where to stop to refuel, so you and your friends can spend less time saying, “I don’t know, what do you wanna do?” and more time enjoying the locale. Not to mention, she’s probably the one who put your trip into motion in the first place, so you know you’re in good hands.  

The Planner’s catchphrase:“I read about this great place on Yelp!”

Extra perk: With how much time she spent on TripAdvisor pre-vacation, you know you’ll never get lost.

5. The Risk-Taker

To balance out The Planner, see to it that your crew includes a Risk-Taker to infuse some spontaneity into your trip and encourage you to break out of your shell. She’ll be the one dragging you into crazy clubs, past “Do Not Enter” signs or out for a late-night skinny-dip in the ocean. Every girl needs a friend who will drag you to places crazy and unknown – chances are, her spur-of-the-moment suggestions will lead to nights you won’t forget. Be careful not to let things get too wild, though; you don’t want to wind up reenacting Spring Breakers.

The Risk-Taker’s catchphrase:“What’s the worst that could happen?”

Extra perk: You’ll have stories to tell your friends back home for months.

6. The Hipster

Sure, sometimes you might giggle at her underground taste, but if you’re taking on a particularly touristy city, you’ll be thankful for someone who can drag you away from the mainstream. The Hipster will know off-the-wall places for your group to grab a breather: quirky shops; hip, vegan restaurants; bars that won’t be packed wall-to-wall with sweaty spring breakers. You know, the kind of places no one in their right mind would think to go to on spring break, but you’ll be so glad you did.

The Hipster’s catchphrase:“You probably haven’t heard of it.”

Extra perk: Street cred. Hey, don’t lie: you’ll be passing off her suggestions as your own some day.

7. The Mother Hen

Admittedly, sometimes spring break can get a little wild, so having The Mother Hen around to ensure you don’t go too hard means a safer spring break for everyone. She’ll play the necessary role in making you guys get back to your hotel in one piece every night and giving her stamp of approval for your spring-break flings. Even if it’s just a girl to hold back your hair during a particularly rough hangover, you’ll be thankful you’ve got a dash of responsibility on your team. Just make sure you watch out for yourself and keep it classy so she doesn’t have to be your babysitter, too.

The Mother Hen’s catchphrase:“You doing okay?”

Extra perk: If your spring break plans include a car, you’ll probably get a designated driver out of your Mother Hen, too. Here’s to saving money on cab fare!

8. The Guy

Don’t be afraid to bring your guy friends along on your trip, too! A little testosterone is rarely a bad thing, and you never know when you might need a fake boyfriend to swoop in and scare off a pushy local. Whether you bring a Frat Star to show you how to do a keg stand, a Gay BFF to enjoy the sights and go dancing with or a Single Guy to play matchmaker for, having a guy around will add a new dynamic to any spring break crew.

The Guy’s catchphrase: No matter what it was pre-spring break, it’s definitely going to be “I need some guy time” when you get home.

Extra perk: He can put his brawn to use and clear the path for you and your friends at any crowded party.  

9. The Friend of a Friend

Who says you need to be tight with everyone on your spring vacation? Encourage your group to draft their own friends into your plans to spice up your normal group dynamic. They don’t say “The more, the merrier” for nothing, right?

The Friend of a Friend’s catchphrase: Well, you’ll just have to wait to find out, won’t you?

Extra perk: You might get a new friend out of it!

No need to worry if you don’t have a friend who fits nicely into each role; you’ll probably have them all covered without even realizing it! Your Guy Magnet might also be your Wingwoman, your Guy also your Photog. Not to mention, you’re probably one of the above, too. All that’s left to do is take inventory, round up your crew and hit the road. Happy spring break, collegiettes!

It’s not every day that the Vice President of the United States steps out on stage at the Oscars. But nevertheless, that’s what happened during tonight’s ceremony.

Vice President Joe Biden appeared briefly for a powerful introduction of Lady Gaga’s stunning performance to come: “Despite significant progress over the last few years, too many women and men on and off college campuses are still victims of sexual abuse.” 

After prompting audience members and viewers at home to take a pledge to “intervene in situations when consent has not or cannot been given,” Biden let Gaga take over and do what she does best. Surrounded by survivors of sexual abuse, she belted out her Oscar-nominated song “Til It Happens to You” from The Hunting Ground. Needless to say, her performance was moving and inspiring in ways you can’t even imagine if you didn’t watch for yourself.

Gaga’s raw, emotional delivery, along with the actual victims of sexual abuse on stage with her, ensured that no one left without feeling the deep pain and the long unanswered call to action she was attempting to convey. As college students, we realize the dangers of ignoring this unbelievably unfair yet very real circumstance. Seeing this message broadcast on such a broad platform, it seems we're finally no longer afraid to have this much overdue conversation. The multitude of survivors who stood alongside Gaga—and the sad volume of those who could not be there—are living proof that it’s way past time to change the culture.

Gaga shared this sweet snap on Instagram after her performance, reminding us just how much this topic hits home for her. We can't think of anyone better to raise her voice in such a meaningful manner and leave us all in tears.

Name: Luvleen Sidhu
Job Title and Description: Co-Founder and Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer of BankMobile
Website: www.BankMobile.com

What inspired you to start BankMobile?

Luvleen Sidhu: I remember opening my first bank account and I had to go into the bank branch and I waited there for 20-25 minutes. In terms of the line and the process it took to really open up the account, I just remember it being a completely frustrating, useless sort of use of my time—not really [that] great of an experience. On top of that, I remember asking her, “What other products and services do you recommend for me?” I was a college student at that time. She handed me this flyer that had a list of all their products and services on it and she was like, “Here you go. Take a look at this.” It just kind of opened my eyes to, number one, how antiquated and frustrating the experience is when you try to open a bank and deal with a bank. Number two, there’s zero customization or personalization. She just handed me a list of all the products that didn’t include anything customized to where I was in life. Three, understanding this industry more and more, I learned that it’s really unethical the sorts of fees that are being charged to people. Americans are being charged almost 32 billion dollars every year, and that’s just in overdraft fees. That’s more than what they spend on buying vegetables, three times more than what America spends on breast and lung cancer research. There are 68 million Americans [that] are underbanked and don’t have access to traditional finance services. The personal experience, plus this opportunity for the need of Americans to have access to affordable financial services, given that everything in life has a financial component and you really can’t succeed until you’re on a solid financial footing. Those are some of the things that got me inspired, got me excited about this opportunity to really transform this industry.

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

LS: One thing that I’m constantly focused on is how do we build our customer base. Number two, how do we get current customers to be very excited and loyal, and feel that we’re providing for them with a “wow experience.” That’s our mission. A typical day is really focused on what sort of marketing experience can we try to get people to know BankMobile, get excited about BankMobile. That includes everything from digital advertising to launching campus ambassador programs. Last September, we did grassroots marketing to street fairs in New York City, email campaigns and developed membership strategies because people might have the inertia to open an account even though they’re frustrated with their banking experience. So developing an easy, midway step like giving an email address and getting to know us so we can send educational finance content and learn what we’re about. It’s really about continuing to innovate to get people to know about BankMobile since we’re new, and get people excited about what we’re doing. Also, as the Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, I kind of hit on the marketing side; but the strategy is why did we come into business? Our mission is to make banking fee-free. We’re the first bank in the country with absolutely no fees. Number two, effortless. Number three, financially empowering. What from a strategy point in terms of the products, services, technology and strategic partnerships can do to really get us toward fulfilling those missions? That’s what I work on, on a day-to-day basis.

What is the best part of your job?

LS: I would feel that, to me, it seems really, I guess, cliché—but when I meditate. I meditate every day, and it’s a chance to really align with my goals and what resonates with my heart as a person. At the most basic level, my goal in life is to be happy and to make others happy as well. When you translate that into my professional life, the way that I move on that purpose is by creating this company and building this company that is truly going to get people to be on solid financial footing so they can achieve their own dreams and feel that joy in their own life. I’d say the best part of my job is going back to our core mission of making people financially empowered and helping people get to where they want to be in life so they can feel fulfilled and happy at the end of the day. Getting your finances sorted and being on a solid financial footing is the basis to be able to springboard and do that.

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

LS: My dad and I work together. We’re co-founders. He’s actually a veteran banker, a seasoned banker as he ran a bank called Sovereign Bank that was bought by Santander for 17 years. He really knows the banking space very well. I, being a millennial myself, tech-savvy, and understanding the needs and demographics of this generation—which is the largest generation, and going to be the most profitable over time. Our powers combined have really helped in setting BankMobile with where we are today with over 100,000 customers after just one year in business. He helps me on an everyday basis not just by helping me understand banking better, and this world that we’re in, but also just being a better leader. I have the opportunity to lead a team while I’m here, and learning from him that so much of leadership is actually emotional intelligence. How do we manage our emotions? How do we manage our relationships? How do we empower those that we work with? How do we inspire our customers? Through his experience in life so far, I really am able to learn from him these techniques that make me a better leader and a better businesswoman.

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

LS: Personally, I’ve actually dealt with a lot of chronic pain. I really let it spiral out of control where I didn’t deal with it for months and months. It became very painful. It’s something I’ve been battling with for 6 years now. The mistake I made was not taking care of my body and my health, and not prioritizing that. What I’ve learned from that experience and healing myself is that it’s so important to be healthy—your mind and your body, and to take accountability for that, and to be in balance. Once you heal your mind and body and pay attention to taking care of yourself, you have the balance and groundedness to really excel in all aspects of your life including the professional aspect. That was a huge learning for me that I needed to focus on basics to excel everywhere in my life, especially BankMobile.

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

LS: I would say that when we started on January 14, 2015, we made a public announcement to our investors and publicly on the street that we would have 25,000 BankMobile accounts after one year of being in business. For us, this is already a stretch goal because if you look historically at the growth that banks see after being open for only five years, they only have 1,500 accounts. We were thinking of multiples of this when we put out our goal of 25,000. So, really, a surreal moment for me was being able to get over 100,000 accounts in just a year. Not only were we able to achieve our goal that was already really a high bar but exceeded exponentially. To me, that just showed me that when you are driven by a passion or a mission that is greater than just profitability and being a successful business, but more driven by changing people’s lives and having a bigger purpose, the other things in terms of accounts and profitability sort of follow. Having that in our mission was the driving force behind our growth.

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

LS: I would say, as boring as it sounds, it’s so important to never give up. I feel that there’s so many times in life, whether it’s in your personal life or your professional, when you’re at a low point. It’s so easy to feel defeated, to feel hopeless and to not push forward. I feel that the biggest gift in life is this change in philosophy in life that I’ve had is to feel happier, wiser and stronger—mentally and physically. If you are on a mission for moving forward, moving your life forward in every way that you can each day and never giving up, that would be the most powerful lesson and I believe nothing can stop you with that attitude.

It's always nice to be told that you're appreciated. You know how much you love that feeling, so why not make sure that your friends know they're appreciated? 

Whether it's a birthday, a holiday or just a random day of the week, these gifts are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. The best part is that you can whip them up in a flash, with relatively no time or money. What an easy way to show your love! 

1. Instagram Cards

Print out a Insta photo of you and your best friend, and use it as a card for her birthday or just because!

2. Yarn Pom Pom Letters

Everyone loves some fun room decor! Spell out your bestie's name, her intials or Greek letters with these fun pom poms. 

3. Printed Candles

Print your best friend's favorite inspirational quote or celeb on a candle that she can burn, baby, burn! You can really put anything you want on these adorable candles. 

4. Watercolor Cards

Making these cards will take you back to your kindergarten days! Use white crayon and then water color over it to reveal your ~*hidden*~ message. 

5. Photo Star

Create a star lantern out of photos of you and your bestie—it's sure to light up her life! 

6. Keyboard Art

Don't let an old keyboard clog up a landfill. Take it apart, and create the cutest photo frame ever; all you have to do is add your message of appreciation! Don't feel obligated to make it a keyboard pun, either. 

7. Instagram Calendar  

Use a photo of you and your BFF for each month and pencil in girls nights, your friendaversary and other important dates. Feel free to also write messages of encouragement and love throughout. 

8. Balloon Room

Each of these balloons is attached to a photo. Just write a memory or affirmation on the back of the photos and surprise your bestie. 

9. Comfy Pillow

Make sure your best friend always has a snuggly place to lay her head with this Doris Day-inspired pillow. 

10. Goodie Jar

You can use this goodie jar to "teal" your bestie any message that your heart desires—be it "Thanks,""I love you" or even "Congrats!"

11. Bestie Scrapbook

Head to your local craft store to pick up some materials, and spend an afternoon making a gift that will probably make your bestie cry. A scrapbook is the perfect way to preserve fun photos and memories. 

12. The Happy Jar

Fill out little notes full of loving affirmations, funny drawings or inside jokes—anything that would make your friend happy! 

13. "52 Things I Love About You" Cards

We love this card deck! You could also do "52 Times You Made Me Laugh"or "52 Inside Jokes." 

14. Photo Collage Letter

Modge podge some photos onto a wooden letter—the first letter of your friend's name—and write a loving letter to her on the back. 

15. Bestie Bucket List

Make a bestie bucket list for your summer together, upcoming vacation or your remaining time in college. So many possibilities! 

How will you show your gratitude, collegiettes? 

Your friends always tease you about it, and you’ve been called uptight more than once. Whether you’re a self-proclaimed neat freak or just really hate disorganization, the struggle of being Type A is real. Here are all things that Type A’s have to deal with day in and day out—in list form, naturally.

1. Your closet is organized by color, which always raises the question of where multi-colored shirts belong.

2. The kitchen and bathroom in your apartment always have to be spotless…which becomes problematic when your roommates hate chores.

3. The idea of clutter makes you cringe, so watching Hoarders is enough to give you an anxiety attack.

4. Making to-do lists calms you down, and sometimes you add something arbitrary just so you can cross it off.

5. Your planner is like your personal color-coordinated Bible. If you ever lose it, you’ll probably die.

6. You hate people who are late, so you’re perpetually early to everything.

7. Sometimes you can be terribly impatient, which makes standing in a Starbucks line downright excruciating.

8. Multi-tasking is one of your biggest strengths, which explains why you’re constantly busy.

9. All of your assignments take way longer than they should because you insist on editing them until they’re perfect.

10. Group projects are the bane of your existence. Things would go a lot quicker if you could just work by yourself.

11. Unread emails stress you out, so you’re constantly cleaning out your inbox.

12. You’re not surprised when someone calls you an “over-achiever.” You won “Most Likely to Succeed” in high school, after all. If you didn't, it's obviously because everyone else was just jealous.

13. Casual sports and games with friends can escalate, mostly because you have an intense competitive streak.

You may struggle every day, but at least Type A's know how to get stuff done.

In the moments right up until Leonardo DiCaprio finally won his much-deserved Oscar last night, we were cheering, crossing our fingers and trying to contain our internal screaming. When his moment finally came, we were almost too excited to notice how many incredible things happened as a result of his win. And in case you were, too, we've come up with a list of the nine best moments from Leo's win that you'll want to remember forever.

1. How quickly he ran on stage

Our first thought was, "Wow, if I were doing that, I'd have to walk so carefully just to avoid tripping." Leo clearly had his strut up to the stage practiced.

2. Kate Winslet's expression

Her expression basically sums up how we all feel.

3. The standing ovation

So. Deserved.

4. His inclusion of climate change in his speech

We love that Leo used his moment to bring up an important discussion about climage change and our role in it. If only Leo had won back in 1993, maybe people would have taken climate change more seriously sooner. 

5. How calm he was

How did he stay this calm? We have no idea. He was probably freaking out on the inside. 

6. Celebrating with other winners

It was iconic to see Leo among fellow Oscar winners Brie Larson, Mark Rylance and Alicia Vikander. Just look at how happy he is!

7. Mark Ruffalo congratulates Leo

How perfect is this?

8. Leo learns how to take care of his Oscar

Leo looks just like a first-time parent here. While getting his Oscar engraved at the Governor's Ball after the ceremony, he learned that there's more to having an Oscar than just placing it on a shelf. This exchange was thankfully captured by Variety.

9. Leo jokes about his first win

In the same instance, Leo also joked with the engraver about his first win. "Do you do this every year?" he asked. After she nodded, he responded, "I wouldn't know." We love it! It's almost as if Leo has been in on the Internet-wide inside joke about his lack of Oscar wins…until now, that is!

What was your favorite moment from Leo's big win?

Brie Larson proved just how sweet she is, even when no one is watching. At last night's Academy Awards ceremony, the actress hugged all fifty of the sexual assault survivors who were featured in Lady Gaga’s moving performance.

Gaga performed “Til It Happens To You” from The Hunting Ground, a documentary about sexual assault on college campuses in America. This song is especially important in light of the injustice Kesha faced when a court failed to break her contract with Dr. Luke, who she has accused of drugging and raping her.

Read More: Lady Gaga Defends Kesha Against Victim-Shaming

The fifty sexual assault survivors walked on stage mid-performance with their arms outstretched to expose the words "not your fault,""unbreakable" and "survivor." The performance ended with Lady Gaga and the survivors holding their hands high as a sign of strength and solidarity. It was a powerful statement, earning a standing ovation and bringing some audience members to tears.

Larson, who was later awarded the Oscar for Best Actress, was clearly moved by the performance. As the survivors walked off stage, Larson stood from her seat and quickly hugged each of them as they walked by. Her act of kindness was caught on camera by an audience member, who posted the moment on Twitter.

After an emotional night for these survivors—who were given a platform to bring attention to this widespread yet often ignored issue, which is obviously personal to them—they surely appreciated Larson's comforting hug.

Chrissy Teigen is not one to hide her emotions. At the 2015 Golden Globes ceremony, she was caught on camera visibly uncomfortable, a moment that continues to circulate the Internet as a popular reaction GIF. Her now-iconic cringing face returned at the 2016 Academy Awards last night, during that awkward Stacey Dash moment.

Oscar host Chris Rock introduced Dash as “the new director of our minority outreach program.” The Fox News commentator and actress, best known for her role in Clueless, was on stage for a mere 10 seconds as she said, “I can’t wait to help my people. Happy Black History Month.”

The bit was meant to be funny in its irony, as Dash has time and time again failed to be there for “her people.” Amidst the Oscars' diversity controversy, Dash called the Oscar boycott “ludicrous.” Instead of demanding diversity and equal opportunity for black actors, she instead suggested banning BET, the BET Awards and even Black History Month because they are, according to her, forms of “segregation.”

Dash's appearance thus made the audience understandably uncomfortable, which explains why there was silence as she left the stage and why Teigen made this face: 

Some speculated that Teigen's cringing reaction was meant for Sarah Silverman’s appearance moments later, but Teigen took to Twitter to clarify: “I was making the face from the Stacey Dash moment ahhhhhhh not Sarah!”

Teigen was not alone in her reaction to Dash: singer The Weeknd was also feeling quite awkward, looking around and covering his face as he laughed.

Was your reaction to Dash's skit similar to Teigen's and The Weeknd's, or did you react in another way?

Spring break is coming, and we're willing to bet, whether you're embarking on a dream getaway or planning the perfect staycation, you're ready to put school behind you and relax in style. We feel you, so we're giving away one of our fab Spring Break Survival Kits filled with all the essentials you need for the most flawless spring break ever!

Enter now and you could win amazing (and free!) swag from brands like...

• Vera Bradley
• TRESemmé
• Milani
• CEA Study Abroad
• Circle Pay
• AZO
• Brappz

...and more! Enter now for your chance to win!

Enter to win a Spring Break Survival Kit!

Wanderlust—we’ve all got it. We guess it’s just one of the side effects of being a college student. Luckily for you, there are outlets willing to help you fulfill that wanderlust, no matter when or where you want to go. That’s why Her Campus has partnered with CEA Study Abroad and StudentUniverse to give away the ultimate travel voucher—worth $1,000!

Since 1997, CEA has helped more than 35,000 students explore the world beyond their permanent address. CEA offers constant support throughout the studying abroad process to ensure an amazing and experiential journey.  With 22 exciting cities across 12 countries and programs designed to match your academic, career and personal goals,. Create your own path, and your future is truly limitless.

StudentUniverse is the world’s leading travel booking service for college students. For students looking to travel the world, StudentUniverse offers special rates on flights, hotels and tours, allowing you to go further and spend less. And best of all? Becoming a member of StudentUniverse is absolutely free! StudentUniverse is truly an unparalleled service that you should be definitely be taking advantage of—if you’re not already!

Sounds too good to be true, right? Discounted travel from StudentUniverse and studying abroad with CEA. Where do we sign up?

Well, now that you’ve been bitten by the travel bug, it’s time to do something about it. Enter to win this amazing $1,000 travel voucher from CEA Study Abroad and StudentUniverse now!

CEA +Student Universe

Police in Fort Wayne, Ind. are investigating the "execution-style" murders of three young men in an abandoned house in East St. Louis last week, according to The Washington Post.

According to the autopsy report, all three men—23-year-old Mohamedtaha Omar, 20-year-old Adam Mekki, and 17-year-old Muhannad Tairab—died from multiple gunshot wounds. Though each victim is of East African descent, Fort Wayne PD Safety Director Rusty York claims that there is still no reason to believe that the triple-homicide was a hate crime. Many believed that all three boys were Muslim, but according to The Washington Post, Omar and Tairab were Muslim while Mekki was Christian.

"Hopefully, you know, we'll be able to focus in on exacly what the reason was but, as I said before, no reason to believe this was any type of hate crime, or focused because of their religion or their nationality whatsoever," he told WATP-TV. 

The victims' bodies were discovered in the home on Wednesday by a group of people who had left the home and returned within the same hour, WATP-TV reported. Police said that the home is owned by people living in Indianapolis, and in their absence the house became a gathering place for young people.

"A lot of people would come and go to the residence," Police Chief Gary Hamilton told WANE TV. "We talked to neighbors, and a lot of young people would come and go to this house."

Detectives investigating the case do not have any suspects, but Chief Hamilton advised anyone who had information regarding the murders to come forward during his visit to Omar and Tairab's funeral this past Saturday. 

"I need someone to come and tell me what they know," he said. "Please, I'm asking for your help and your mercy for these young men."

At this point, emoji are basically a part of the English alphabet. We all use them every day, obsessing over the cute little smiley faces and sarcastic grimaces that we can use to communicate our feelings without being around our friends in person. While it may be all fun and games for most of us, this 12-year-old girl in Fairfax, Va. is facing criminal charges because of her emoji usage.

According to the The Washington Post, the girl is being charged with threatening her school and for computer harassment, after an alarming post was discovered on Instagram in December. The post partially read, "Killing," and “meet me in the library Tuesday," punctuated with gun, knife and bomb emoji.

The police began questioning students and were lead to the young girl in question. She admitted to the authorities that she did post the messages, under the name of another student. The girl was scheduled to make an appearance in court, although the results of the case are not yet known to the public.

"She’s a good kid. She’s never been in trouble before," the girl's mother told The Washington Post, saying that the Instagram post was a reaction to being bullied at school. "I don’t think it’s a case where there should have been charges."

Similar cases have been popping up throughout the country. Recently, a grand jury in New York had to decide if using the police man and gun emoji together could be considered a threat to police officers. With the interpretation of emoji being so broad, it's difficult to tell what is meant as a dangerous threat, and what's meant as a harmless joke. It's a brave new world, and we've got to realize that the emoji we use while texting could be just as important as the actual words we type.

At the Oscars last night, Sam Smith was awarded Best Original Song for "Writing's On the Wall," the theme for Spectre. During Smith's acceptance speech, he mentioned that he read somewhere no openly gay man had ever won an Oscar. He went on to dedicate his statue to the LGBT community. 

There was one minor problem with Smith's speech, however. Upon exiting the stage, Smith found that he was wrong—he is not the first openly gay male Oscar winner. He responded with a few expletives, followed by, "Two's my lucky number, so it's all good. Who was the other person?"Newsflash: There have been quite a few more openly gay male Oscar winners than Smith initially thought—including the iconic Elton John.

One of those past winners got a little bit feisty with the singer via Twitter, but we won't get into that. Just know that Sam has since apologized as eloquently as we could've hoped for.

Do you forgive Smith's mistake or should he have known better, collegiettes?