If you thought J.K Rowling was finished with the release of the final installment in the Harry Potter series, boy were you wrong. Rowling has just announced that she will be releasing a short series called Magic in North America. Exclusively available to members of her website, Pottermore, this series aims to fill some of the gaps in time not previously explained by the Harry Potter series.

The first installment of The History of Magic in North America was released this morning—so get on that Pottermore account because as the sight notes, “You’ll want to get up to speed before the film comes around in November."

See a short preview released by Entertainment Weekly below!

Kim Kardashian caused a media frenzy yesterday by posting on Instagram a censored yet completely naked picture of herself. As always, there were a number of critics unhappy with Kardashian’s choice to publicly share a nude selfie. Most notably, Beaches actress Bette Midler and Hugo actress Chloe Grace Moretz took to Twitter to voice their opinions on the matter.

Midler's comment is in reference to the infamous sex tape Kardashian made with her ex Ray J in 2003 and the numerous nude photoshoots Kardashian has participated in since then.

Moretz retweeted Midler and added her own two cents.

Midler's joke about Kardashian's nudity—insinuating that we've seen it all before—is an all-too-common criticism in a society that attempts to shame women for choosing to confidently display their naked bodies. Moretz’s comment, though well-intentioned, is equally shameful, perpetuating the notion that women must modestly cover their bodies in order to be respected. Yes, we as women have more to offer than just our bodies, but that does not make it wrong to embrace our bodies, even in full nudity, as Kardashian chose to do.

Before responding to these criticisms, Kardashian first took a jab at haters who have joked about her husband Kanye’s supposed debt by tweeting, “Sorry I’m late to the party guys I was busy cashing my 80 million video game check and transferring 53 million into our joint account.”

She went on to single out Bette Midler and Chloe Grace Moretz for their comments. To Midler, she tweeted, "hey @BetteMidler I know it's past your bedtime but if you're still up and reading this send nudes #justkidding." This joking tweet was followed up with a more pointed one:

Her response to Moretz took things even further:

Then, Kardashian proceeded to tweet yet another nude photo, simply captioned “#liberated.” The hashtag is an important reminder that while some women find empowerment in modesty, others find empowerment in nudity—to each their own. It is not our place to police other women and tell them how they should present themselves.

“Sometimes these girls that are in transition think that everything has to change – you can’t be conservative anymore, you have to be a liberal. No, I don’t believe that. I think I can keep all of my views the same because I feel in my heart that that’s the best way to go,” says a candid Caitlyn Jenner in the season two premiere of I Am Cait. 

Transgender icon Caitlyn Jenner has come under fire recently for, at times, whether intentionally or not, misrepresenting or disregarding the real struggles of the transgender community. And while most of this stems from Jenner’s interest in conservative politics, some (like Jenny Boylan and Kate Bornstein, friends of Jenner’s who happen to be strong political activists and published gender theorists) say it’s time for Jenner to think more compassionately about the highly victimized trans community that she is now a part of, if not also a role model for. 

In the latest season of her reality show, Jenner—along with some of her close friends—ventures out on a bus tour around the country to see how transgender people (whose net worth isn’t $100 million) live. But it’s clear from the onset that this is no easy journey. Jenner gets caught in a heated political debate during which a concerned friend pleads with her: “As a leader, you need to embrace the fight for women’s rights!” To which, Jenner replies, “But we’re $18.5 trillion in debt. Our economy is going to collapse!”

If this seems a bit dismissive of the plight of the trans community, it’s because it kind of is. And it isn’t the first time Jenner’s political views have elicited this kind of facepalm response. Like when the reality star voiced her puzzling views on same-sex marriage on The Ellen Show or suggested that she’d like to be the trans spokeswoman for Ted Cruz’s political campaign.

Jenner maintains that she's a traditionalist. But that’s not sitting well with a lot of people and understandably so. What do you think about Jenner’s political views in light of her new transgender identity? 

As we celebrate International Women’s Day by blasting Beyonce, celebrating female confidence and reveling in all that it means to be a woman, we must also face the hard truth that true equality for women is still far off, especially in the workplace. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), despite women making definite strides in terms of education, the gains aren't the same at work.

The ILO’s report, Women at Work: Trends 2016, found that around the world, there's a huge gap between men and women just in terms of being employed. The global employment-to-population ratio for women was 46 percent in 2015, compared to men’s 72 percent. Another trend found was that women often work more hours than men, both in the paid and unpaid work categories. In developed economies, women work 8 hours and 9 minutes each day in both paid and unpaid work, while men work only 7 hours and 36 minutes. The developing countries saw women working a little more at 9 hours and 20 minutes, compared to men’s usual 8 hours and 7 minutes.

BBC News reports that wage-wise in the United Kingdom, women are still earning 24.6 percent less than what men do in skilled trade. In the U.S., according to Business Insider, the gap ranges from 65 percent to 90 percent, varying from state to state. The gaps are often attributed to women generally working in lower-paying professions and taking more time off for maternity leave—broad, societal differences that we need to think about. And though we often hear things get better with time, it seems as if the gender pay gap doesn’t once people leave the employment office as about 65 percent of people above retirement age (65 years or older) are women who receive no regular pension, and therefore have no financial safety net.

However, ILO has established a plan to make sure that that the gender pay gap can close by 2030. “Achieving gender equality at work, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, is an essential precondition for realizing sustainable development that leaves no one behind and ensures that the future of work is decent work for all women and men,” said Shauna Olney, Chief of the ILO’s Gender, Equality and Diversity Branch. Let’s hope we can keep talking about the gender pay gap every day, as it affects women globally every day, and not just on women’s designated day of the year.

As the political race heats up and Donald Trump continues to both inspire and enrage people, the line between the personal and the political has blurred. Multiple instances of violence towards peaceful anti-Trump protests at his rallies have been documented, and his personal insults to people who criticize him have always been colorful. For Katie Packer, GOP strategist and former deputy campaign manager for Mitt Romney during his presidential run, going up against Trump has been no joke. Packer serves as the head of anti-Trump super PAC Our Principles, and according to Cosmopolitan, she receives daily death threats from Trump supporters.

Packer told USA Today’s Capital Download that she has gotten messages, over social media and by email that contain “the most hateful vitriol that I've ever encountered in 25 years in politics.” While Packer used to report them to Twitter, she admits, “I haven't really dealt with it. My feeling is that their bark is worse than their bite, and they're trying to get a rise out of me, and I've just decided to ignore it because I just don't want to react and I don't want to give them the pleasure of thinking that they've gotten to me somehow.”

Packer believes that Trump’s rhetoric caters to a specific group of people—a group that's full of hatred and fear, but haven't felt comfortable expressing that until now. “I don't suggest that's all of Donald Trump supporters," she continued. "But he does seem to have brought out a group of people that used to feel like they needed to sort of keep quiet because what they say isn't acceptable in polite society, and Donald Trump seems to have given them permission to just speak their mind."

We know it's been a long, tough semester and we think you deserve some Cabo love! We want to send you to the gorgeous Breathless Resorts in Cabo San Lucas for a luxurious 3-night get-away with all the trimmings!

Not only will we gift you $500 for your airfare, but we will also send a different pair of sunglasses for every day of your trip from TOMS, the cutest travel bags from MZ Wallace, $100 in TRESemme hair products to get that perfect beachy wave, and $100 in nail care products from develop10! 

Not enough? What if we add in $500 to Tarte Cosmetics? Uh huh...we thought that would make you smile!

Treat yourself this Spring and Enter to Wintoday! 

In the wake of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, New Year’s resolutions and the omnipresent domination of social media by the Kardashians, it’s admittedly tough to feel body-positive all the time. This, of course, does not mean that loving (or learning to love) your body isn’t worth the effort!

Body positivity is a seemingly simple concept. “Love yourself!” “If you don’t love your body, who will?” “Size doesn’t matter!” All of these are valid notions, but they’re much easier said than done. Body positivity doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s perfectly okay; self-love is a journey that is constantly evolving. There are some ways to jump-start the process, though. Energize your efforts to love yourself and your body with these helpful tips.

We reached out to Emily Cook Harris for some professional input on ways young women can get going right now on their journey towards body positivity and self-love. Cook Harris is a personal trainer and the founder of EMpowered, a lifestyle coaching and fitness organization that seeks to promote health in ways beyond just working out. With these suggestions in your back pocket, body positivity is just a matter of you deciding whether you’re going to take action or not.

Related: What It Really Means to Love Yourself

1. Ditch the scale

Like your age and GPA, the number on the scale really is meaningless—or, alternatively, it’s only what you make of it! It certainly is not indicative of your health, and is not a productive way to form a beneficial relationship with your body. This idea is equally as important as the notion that you’re not your size. As anyone who has ever worn jeans is well aware, this number hugely fluctuates from brand to brand, anyway, further signifying its triviality!

On the ineffectiveness of the scale, Cook Harris says that “all the scale’s telling you is your body’s relationship to gravity.” She emphasizes that it’s important not to give the scale the power, and that the solution to that dilemma is often to throw the scale out altogether. According to Cook Harris, “a lot of people use the scale to ask ‘Am I going to have a good day today?’ Throw the scale out the window. You tell it!”

This is what’s important about your body positivity journey. It’s about, as Cook Harris says, “shifting the mindset.” Changing your attitude towards health and towards your body is just as important as actually improving your health.

2. Avoid “#fitspo”

Often, a quick venture onto Instagram’s search page displays the trending tags related to fitness, exercise and dieting. #Fitspo and #thinspo, short for “fitspiration” and “thinspiration,” respectively, are just a few of the terms that have made their way into fitness jargon. These realms of the Internet are flush with quotes and misleadingly colorful images promoting fitness and a “healthy” lifestyle.

While these terms were surely coined with good intention, they have come to be affiliated with body shaming, as they often promote “bikini bodies” and aren’t about personal, physical and mental health so much as image. The term “thinspiration” has actually been banned from Instagram for “[promoting or glorifying] self-harm.” If you do keep tabs on any of these pages, unfollow them and erase them from memory—they’re not good for you or your physical or mental health!

On the dangers of this kind of orientation towards body positivity, Cook Harris says that the inclination is often to “compare ourselves to other people. Comparison kills creativity, and your own motivation to do things for you...if you’re looking at thinspo and you’re sinking down and feeling bad, you’ll never feel any desire to take action.” Find positive role models who you can look up to “for their proactivity, their spread of positivity,” Cook Harris says. Knowing the difference between motivators that actually make you feel good and those that make you feel less-than is crucial.

Additionally, don’t feel inclined to start a drastic fad diet; while they often seem miraculous and to have instantaneous effects, they often do your health more harm than good. You have to “focus on actions, not outcomes,” says Harris. Building actions into your routine is much more sustainable than trying “quick and dirty binging and crazy dieting,” because these are just temporary fixes.

“Look at [your health] as more of an add-on than a take-away. Add in the positive, healthy behaviors, something you can practice that’s an action as opposed to ‘this week, I’m not having bread,’” Cook Harris says. As soon as you start looking at health and your body as subtractive concept and only think about changing it, it becomes impossible to carry on any long-term practices. “Make it about the enjoyment. You’ll feel truly better when you do it this way,” says Cook Harris.

3. Follow body positivity Instagrams and blogs

Rather than pay attention to fitspo and thinspo, why not subscribe to some accounts that are all about loving the body you have and helping yourself get healthier, mentally and physically?

Honorcurves

Honor Curves is a Canadian self-love and body positivity advocate who says that “with the right combination of love and kindness, each person can shed themselves of their darkest lows and body woes, and enjoy who they are RIGHT NOW.” On her blog, Curves documents not only her awesome style trials and errors, but also her reflections on defying societal notions of beauty. Her Instagram is full of funny and touching quotes, news and photos surrounding body positivity and self-love.

Positive Body Image

This Instagram is overflowing with adorable body positivity mottos and quotes, often set to soothing backgrounds and with aesthetically pleasing fonts. Perfect for your daily dose of self-love!

Fuck Yeah Body Positivity

For those days when you’re feeling especially down, sometimes it takes more than flowery quotes and seemingly unrealistic optimism to bring yourself out of a dark place. Fuck Yeah Body Positivity is a Tumblr dedicated to just that: a firm push in the direction of self-love. This blog has various different self-love related components: gifs, text posts, articles and statistics—anything you could possibly want to make yourself better about you in just a few clicks. As stated by the blog’s founder, “you are beautiful and this is a blog for you.”

The Love Yourself Challenge

This is another Tumblr that offers images, writing pieces, songs, and other resources all surrounding body positivity. In an effort to “embrace and celebrate young people for who they are,” the brother-sister duo that runs this blog puts up various posts emphasizing the voyage that self-love is and how important having a good relationship with yourself is.

Related: The 13 Most Body Positive Celebrity Moments in 2015

4. Encourage your friends to be body positive, too

This one is easy! Complimenting your friends for the features (body-image related or otherwise) they might be insecure about creates an atmosphere of self-love that can only help improve the relationship you have with your body. If you’re surrounded by body positivity, it’s hard to deny that you’re beautiful. Why not send a text or comment on a profile picture right now? Everyone loves a little day-brightening compliment, and hopefully the favor will get returned!

5. Start every day by telling yourself what you do love

This might be the most important and effective way of coming to love your body. While you’re getting ready in the morning, it’s easy to drift to thoughts of self-criticism while putting on outfits or looking in the mirror. Try forcing yourself to be positive and do something good for you and your body! Fake it ‘til you make it! Body image is all about how you define beauty and how you conceptualize your own self-love. Before you get your day started, tell yourself five (or more!) things you do love and cherish about yourself and your body. This is an effective way to start your day off right and subconsciously be positive in all that the day brings.

It’s vital to remember that body positivity is a process. There are no easy ways out, no shortcuts, and no quick fixes. Self-love isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. “Focus on the actions and you’ll get there,” Cook Harris says. “Stop worrying about when you’ll get there. You may start the journey and it may feel like something small at the beginning, but you can build up,” and when you look back on your progress, you’ll be that much happier with the work you’ve done and the place you end up in.  

Body positivity is closely tied to other issues of insecurity and self-love. This means these things are impossible to get over or improve unless you realize that your body is very much lovable. Remember that so-called body standards are completely made up, and you have the power to change them. It’s only a matter of taking the first step. As Cook Harris says, “pride comes from hard work and knowing you did your best. Pride is putting in the work and feeling good about it. Focus on the damn thing, and you’ll get it done and you’ll be proud.”

As Cook Harris says, body positivity and health in general have to come with an attitude of “‘it’s for me, not for anybody else, and I’m going to do it because it’s good for me and I want to embrace being healthy.’” You come first, and if you are able to love your body, complete self-love is one step closer.

When you're dating a guy with a beard, the scruffy look can be super sexy. That being said, there are also some very real struggles that come with the territory. A beard can make all the difference especially if you've only dated clean-shaved guys in the past. 

1. There's always hair in the sink

2. He takes longer in the shower than you do

3. He likes to get creative

4. It tickles when you make out

5. There's always a tipping point between him looking really sexy and, well, looking super ratchet

6. He's super proud of it

7. Him growing out his beard means he'll soon be growing out a man bun too

8. He loves the mirror

9. He uses your brush to comb it

10. Making out also means getting hair in your mouth

11. Everyone loves it and are forever complimenting him on it

12. You can't remember what he used to look like

13. You find yourself always wanting to pet him

14. He looks older and you look younger

15. When it gets wet its feel disgusting

16. Other girls are forever drooling over him

Anyone with thick hair knows that it comes with plenty of pros and also plenty of cons. It takes a lot of time and effort to make your hair look as beautiful (and tamed) as it does. And sometimes, you wish it could be a little thinner. Here are things anyone with thick hair is familiar with. 

1. Elastics do NOT last forever

And you hate it. 

2. You always need more than one box of hair dye

It's breaking the bank! 

3. It takes more than a few bobby pins to put your hair up

Not to mention the time it takes to position them. 

4. You own enough hair products to stock a drug store

Don't judge me. 

5. Wind is the worst thing that can happen

Bad weather can totally ruin your day. 

6. Your hair is insane when you take it out of a messy bun

It has a mind of its own. 

7. Brushing your hair is generally not an option

Unless you like excruciating pain. 

8. Neither is straightening it

You just want your hair to be silky smooth. 

9. You often compare your hair to a lion’s mane or sheep’s wool

Whatever it is, it's crazy. 

10. The drain is always clogged

But the worst is when you have to un-clog it. 

11. You are often tempted to just shave all your hair off

At least you'd have more time in the mornings! 

12. Bangs were the worst decision of your life

How could you have been so stupid? 

13. You shed to the point where it’s concerning

How am I not bald yet? 

14. You have to wake up earlier than everyone to deal with it in the morning

And it makes you grumpy. 

15. Showering takes foreveeeeer

So much hair to shampoo and condition. 

16. You get headaches when you wear your hair up for too long

Why does your hair hate you???

17. You have lost an elastic or two in your hair

Where did it go?! 

18. Drying your hair naturally can take hours or even days

Ain't nobody got time for that. 

19. Your hair actually makes your hair sweat in summer

Ew. 

20. Humidity is the devil

You should just never go outside. 

21. Your hair even stresses your hair dresser out

And that's not a good sign. 

22. You use way more conditioner than shampoo

23. You have definitely broken a hairbrush once or twice

Blame the hair. 

24. Not even a hat can solve a bad hair day

You just gotta wash it all over again. 

25. You have no need for hair extensions

You've got all the thickness you need. 

26. Blow drying your hair makes your arms hurt

A LOT. 

27. Everyone always tells you how jealous they are of your hair

Because your hair is pretty great. 

No matter how much your thick hair bothers you, in the end you know you have the most luscious hair in the world -- and you wouldn't trade it for anything! You love your hair no matter what and you are totally prepared to defend it to anyone. 

In celebration of International Women's Day, I had the chance to attend a very special event—the launch of HeForShe Arts Week in New York City. Earlier today, UN Women hosted an intimate conversation with individuals who are truly making an impact in the world. Such figures included Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (the UN Women Executive Director), Chirlane McCray (the First Lady of NYC), Forest Whitaker (artist, social activist, and UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace), and Emma Watson (who needs no introduction). Having attended the hour-long launch event, I can now reveal some exclusive deets, straight from Ms. Watson herself! 

For those unfamiliar with the specifics regarding International Women's Day, the event began in NYC in 1908. Throughout the years, there have been significant improvements, but there is still much more that needs to be done before gender equality is achieved. This is where the UN and HeForShe come into the picture. UN Women is a sector of the UN that strives to achieve gender equality through a proactive approach. HeForShe is an initiative that launched in 2015, with the hope that we can reach global gender equity by 2030. With the launch of HeForShe Arts Week, the movement hopes to diminish the gap between men and women.

"All of us have a role to play in achieving gender equity," McCray said at the event. "As honorary chair of the commission of gender equality, I am a fierce believer that the government must play a central role in creating a city where every girl and woman feels safe and is treated fairly," she added. Through art, HeForShe hopes to convey this message of gender equality. From March 8 to 15, HeForShe Arts Week will showcase the work of dancers, actors, musicians, and visual artists. "Through arts, we can challenge norms peacefully, yet productively," Mlambo-Ngcuka said. Considering the impact that art can elicit, the UN is confident that Arts Week will be a massive success. "They reflect and shape our sense of identity, our attitudes, and our cultural views. I hope this partnership with the arts community will foster new questions and new conversations on women's rights," Mlambo-Ngcuka added. 

As Emma Watson shared her opening remarks, it was clear that she feels passionately about the subject of gender inequality. "With HeForShe, we're trying to build a global community with people from all walks of life and all genders to create new, normal societies of equality," the actress and self-proclaimed feminist said during her speech. "Social progress can inspire art, and the arts can inspire social progress. HeForShe is the next page in that story, and I'm very proud to be launching it today," she added.  

Although there are countless steps being taken to inform the public of this inequality, Emma emphasizes that this is not sufficient. "It's also about making them feel it in their bones. Emotionally, this is what changes us; it makes us act. You can't un-watch great films. You can't unread incredible books. You can't unsee groundbreaking art. They change you forever." 

Forest Whitaker's comments also echoed the idea of gender equality. While the initiative was started by women, it doesn't mean that men can't take part in the movement. Rather, they should feel encouraged to work alongside women, treating them as equals and working towards societal changes together. In 2012, Forest started his own foundation, focusing on peace and development within communities. Today, his foundation has worked with 5 countries, training citizens in "gender sensitivity" and getting more women involved in village affairs.

You might feel as though achieving gender equality is a daunting task, but Emma reassures us all that small steps can be taken. The first step in creating change is recognizing the issue, and realizing that work needs to be done. By "developing goals and outlining what we can achieve by 2030," HeForShe hopes to make an even larger global impact.

Emma's advice for people who want to participate in the change? "Be an active bystander," she said. By speaking up (and encouraging others to do the same) when you witness any form of injustice, you can make a difference. At the end of the day, the solution to gender inequality lies within all of us. "It's how we live our daily lives," Emma said. 

As a woman who spends time both in class and an office, I find that you have to really consider what you are going to wear throughout the week. You have to pick out outfits that look appropriate for both school and work, you need to decide if the outfit matches or if it’s too tight, and you have to plan your outfit according to what the weather is like.

As a woman, I am used to all of this. My brother Melech, however, is not. I decided to challenge him to experience what I have to go through every single day in getting ready by having him pick out outfits for me. Now, before you start conjuring up images of a brother who loves women's fashion, understand that my brother would never step foot into any women’s clothing store unless he absolutely had to. This was going to be interesting.

I didn’t give him many rules. I simply told him that I had to work three days out the week, which means I can’t wear jeans. I also reminded him that the weather would be bad on Thursday, so I have to wear something warm.

I've seen the way he dresses his daughter, so I was somewhat afraid when he agreed to dressing me for a week. On a cold day when he is dressing his daughter he always puts her in a dress that is a little past her knees with grey sweatpants. It makes her look like a grandma. On warm days Melech puts her knee-length skirt with tights underneath and an ill-fitting dress. As you can imagine, he has trouble matching clothes (and also knowing what fits, ugh). He also doesn't do great with colors he sometimes picks out this grey and blue shirt and then puts her in a red and black skirt. My poor niece; I really should have just challenged him to letting me pick out her outfits forever.

When Melech came to my house after work to pick out my outfit for the next 7 days, he all but threw all my clothes around. He said, “Your clothes are awful,” but after half an hour, he finally found something. Here what I wore:

Day 1

Melech: I knew she had to go to work so I picked an outfit that was more business casual. Also, I knew the weather would be nice—not too hot or cold.  

My take: I would have definitely picked this out for myself. The only thing I would say that was wrong with this out is that it's too dull. It was such a beautiful day outside and the colors he chose were so dark. I would have loved if he put me in something more bright to fit the day. I like the pencil skirt that he picked out, because it’s stretchy and it fits me just right. Also, the outfit is very business casual so it was great for school and for work. The shoes were a nice addition to the outfit even though my feet were hurting by the end of the day. Another things guys will never understand.

Day 2

Melech: I dressed Kahaniyah in this outfit because I knew it would match the day. The weather was warm, the sun was shining bright, and there were clear skies. I wanted Kahaniyah to shine and look colorful!

My take: I absolutely hated this outfit. I really don’t think the colors went together. I like the skirt, but the shirt was so ugly. I don't even know why it was still in my closet. The shirt had different color paint splatter on it with a big rhinestone skulls. It was awful. I literally tried my best to keep my jacket on all day, so I didn't have to show my outfit. When I asked others how my outfit looked they said it looked okay, but I really hated this outfit.

Day 3

Melech: I liked this outfit because it was very casual. Kahaniyah didn't have to work, so I didn't really want to put her in business-y attire. I wanted her to have a more relaxed day at school, and to dress down. It was going to be a dark day and rainy. So the dress also matched the day.

My take: I liked this outfit also, because the dress is flowy—I only wished he would have picked it out on a sunnier day. He chose a chambray shirt to go with it, but I wasn’t wild about that. If I wore this outfit on a brighter day I personally would have put on a jean vest with it instead. I also think this outfit is too thin for a cold and rainy day. It's a see-through dress so he put leggings underneath, but even so, my legs were cold all day.

Day 4

Melech: I chose this outfit because the day was expected to be very cold and wet. Even though we just expected light showers, it was pretty cold. So I gave her a sweater to go with her comfortable jean skirt.

My take: This would have to be my favorite outfit, because it was simple. Plus I didn't have to go to work so I could wear jeans that day. I love this shirt, I think I got it from Forever 21; it was really comfy. It's a sweatshirt but also a crop top. Only problem with this outfit was that it wasn't warm enough—my brother is struggling to dress for me for the weather.

Day 5

Melech: This outfit was for our Sabbath service. We normally dress in culture when we go to service. It took me a little while to scram through her clothes to pick out the outfit that would look nice, but still work and comfortable for our service.

My take: We have certain requirements for my temple. We have to wear skirts and dresses that go to the ankle or past, our shoulders have to be covered, and lastly our clothes can't be too tight. This outfit fit all the requirements. I would have definitely picked this outfit out for myself not just for service, but for a regular day. This outfit was nice and cozy, and the weather was nice and warm. I loved the fact that this outfit had pockets in the shirts, it is really convenient, as I could put my phone and keys in the pockets.

Day 6

Melech: This outfit for Day 6 was once again fit for an office. She didn't have to do much but go to work. As you see, she went bowling after, which I didn't know about because I didn't get an invite. Not cool.

My take: I had a love/hate relationship with this outfit. I liked this outfit because the shirt is flattering on me, but the skirt definitely isn't. But the skirt is made like sweat pants, so technically I'm wearing sweatpants which makes me get really hot really fast. I think he did a really do good job matching with this outfit. All the colors went great together. Since it's made with sweatpants material it was really comfy to wear. I could really relax with it on when I got home, and it was stretchy so it was great for bowling. He’s improving.

Day 7

Melech: On my last day of dressing Kahaniyah (Whew!), it was a little difficult because I actually wanted to choose a traditional, cultural Israelite look. But I would have had to choose two outfits for the day instead of one because she had to work. So I chose this outfit because though it isn't considered a cultural outfit, she's still dressing in culture, and would be in compliance with her work attire. This outfit actually is one of my favorite outfits (Day 2 was my absolute favorite). But I thought it was nice, and her beautiful smile would work the outfit out well!

My take: What Melech didn't know was that I have to do a small photo shoot with my aunt this day, so I felt a little uncomfortable. The outfit was too dressy, since I would only be taking pictures. I didn't do anything special with my hair, and I didn't do my makeup because I wasn't doing anything but the photo shoot. I would have liked the outfit more if I would have worn it on a day that I went to work (not his fault though, since that was the original plan).

Overall, I truly enjoyed having my brother pick out my outfits. It was a great experience, and I would definitely be open to doing it again. If I ever need an opinion on an outfit I know I can ask him now that he’s learned something about women’s fashion from this experiment. I believe this made me understand my brother a little more, too. It was great to get to see what he would pick out (even if I didn’t always love what he chose). 

At the end of the day I will always love my brother... even if some of the outfits that he picked out made me look a hot mess.

Although there have been many attempts to bring Planned Parenthood down, it seems like women are still getting the contraception that they need somehow. According to a recent study in The New England Journal of Medicine, the rate of unintended pregnancy has dropped to its lowest level in the last thirty years.

According to the The New York Times, there were declines in almost every demographic group, such as income, race, education and age. For example, unintended pregnancies fell by 14 percent among college graduates, and 28 percent among teenagers.

The authors of this study said it's not any change in sexual behavior that caused these numbers, but rather changes in the use of birth control.

“The biggest change is women using some form of contraception, and a substantial shift toward the use of long-acting methods," Lawrence B. Finer, the lead author of the report, said. This means more IUDs and patches—birth control that you don't have to remember to take, but that will protect you for years. All in all, more women are able to get the preventative care that they need, and are using it, so unintended pregnancies are decreasing.

So, as long as women are able to get the care that they need in a timely manner without issues, this number should only decrease. A happy ending for everyone! Now, if only everybody could see it from that perspective. 

Have you ever wondered what would happen if anonymous commenters weren’t so anonymous anymore? Well, Yik Yak is asking the same thing.

Yik Yak, the social media app that allows people to post comments anonymously, has just begun a new system of allowing its users to choose screen names. According to The Huffington Post, this new feature is “designed to increase engagement and attract new users from outside their core base of college students.” It may also decrease the amount of cyberbullying and hateful comments that occur when people know that no one can trace their words back to them (Don't forget though—If you make threats on Yik Yak, police can work with the app to find out your real identity, and they canarrest you).

Only one person can claim a Yik Yak screen name. This will prevent people from impersonating others, The Huffington Post reports. However, users can turn the screen name on and off—So Yakkers are not going to be forced to tie all their posts to an identity just yet.

Fingers crossed that users will finally start to take responsibility for what they say online instead of hiding behind the mask of anonymity.

Chris Harrison has been an important part of ALL our lives. We can't imagine anybody else delivering us the ~drama~ that comes along with the Bachelor franchise. For a while, he could do no wrong—but Amy Schumer took a moment to call him out over some of his comments from last night's Women Tell All... and we have to agree with her.

Of all the women on bachelor Ben Higgins's season, it was Jubilee Sharpe who has the most incredible background. A war veteran, she grew up in an orphanage in Haiti. At age 6, her three brothers and parents died; she and her 4-year-old sister went to live with their grandmother, until she came down with leprosy, at which point Jubilee and her sister were put into the orphanage. When her adoptive father arrived in Haiti, he tried to adopt both girls, but Jubilee's sister had a disease that couldn't be cured and as a result, was not able to be adopted.

When Jubilee sat down one-on-one with Harrison, the host took the word "complicated" and ran with it, implying, in a sense, that women need to be uncomplicated in order to find love. "I know you can't control how complicated you are," he said at one point. We weren't happy with how he handled the situation—and clearly, neither was Amy Schumer.

Fortunately, Harrison is open to learning more about his mistake, agreeing to sit down with Amy over a bottle wine (isn't this how every disagreement should end?). Our last question: Are we invited?

There are many things you should take into consideration when you’re narrowing down your college list­––academics, housing, extracurricular activities and more! However, one of the most important factors to some collegiettes is your college’s proximity to home. While you may not think distance makes that much of a difference, it definitely affects your college experience! Read below to hear from some collegiettes as to why the distance between home and school is so important:

1. Storage and belongings

When choosing where to go to school, you’re probably thinking about your friends and family, the college’s academic programs and other big factors––and you’re probably not thinking about storage. But, the proximity between your hometown and your future college restricts how much you’ll be able to bring to school and what you’ll have to leave at home.

Cassidy Hopkins, a senior at Emerson College, says that storage and shipping have always been something that she has had to think about, since her hometown is on the other side of the country. “It was hard because I wasn’t able to bring a lot to school,” she says. “I only got to bring two checked bags of clothing\ and the rest I had to buy when I arrived at school.”

“While the rest of my friends were going shopping and preparing for college the summer after high school, I could only make lists,” she adds.

While storage is a small factor compared to other elements that go into your college decision, it is something to think about. Shipping costs are high––if you’re flying back and forth between school and home, you have to think about how many bags you might have. “I was lucky enough to make friends with generous students who lived close to my school,” says Cassidy. “My friends and their families have been so helpful in letting me store my belongings, which is normally a huge burden.” So while shipping and storage are certainly things to consider if you’re going far, they don’t have to be a deal breaker! Think about alternative options for storing and moving your belongings if you choose a school that’s far from home.

2. Saving money

While you might be itching to move thousands of miles away, consider how much money it costs to live across the country––and how much money you may be able to save by staying close to home. When you attend a school that is further than driving distance away, there are new factors to consider. You’ll have to pay for plane tickets home, shipping charges and other travel costs if friends or family want to visit. Make sure you’re thinking about budget when making your final decision.

On the other hand, staying close to home might save you a little money here and there. Even if you plan on living on campus (and not at home), there are small ways to save. Shelby Ostrom, a junior at the University of Kansas, lives about 30 minutes from her hometown. “I definitely think [going to school close to home] has affected my college experience in both good and bad ways,” she says. “[One of the good aspects is that] I can go home whenever I want to, have meals and do laundry.”

When thinking about proximity, budget definitely comes into play. Remember that distance between school and home isn’t just about missing family or seeing friends, but also raising or cutting costs! Think about whether your decision will have an effect on your financial situation as well.

3. Family time

Relationships are probably the number one factor keeping college freshmen close to home––and for good reason! It can be hard to tear yourself away from family and friends. Whether you are going close or far, family time is something to consider when you’re thinking about proximity from home to school.

Kelly Rourke, a junior at Clark University whose hometown is just 20 minutes away from her school, loves being close to her family. “Whether it's bringing some laundry home on a Sunday or having a weekend meal with my family, I have enjoyed being able to stay connected by being close by,” she says. “I also think that being close to home is totally what you make of it. You don't have to go home all the time or even see your family at all outside of school breaks, but having the option to do so is definitely nice.”

Quality family time is definitely something to consider when choosing a school, near or far. Just because you choose a school far from home doesn’t mean you don’t care about spending time with family––there are always other factors to weigh. However, if you find yourself struggling when you’re away from home for weeks at a time, you might want to thinking about staying close to your family.

4. Missing out on opportunities

There are certainly benefits to choosing a school close to home, but there are downfalls as well. If you’re constantly popping home for a visit every weekend, you might be missing out on opportunities and experiences at school.

While Shelby recognizes the benefits of attending college close to home, she also finds that there are negatives. “I went home almost every weekend my freshman year because I was so homesick,” Shelby says. “It gave me a disadvantage at making friends and having fun.”

It’s a common for collegiettes who attend school close to their hometown to spend a lot of free time back at home, especially during freshman year. When you’re feeling homesick or desperate to keep in touch with friends, it can be tempting to pop back home. Just remember that if you choose a school close to home, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be spending all your time there (unless you truly want to)! Be sure you have your priorities straight and recognize that there will be opportunities and experiences on campus as well. Figure out what is most important to you so you can create a nice balance between home and school!

5. Experiencing different lifestyles

Lifestyles often change in correlation with geographical location, so consider how the culture will change wherever you decide to go to school.

“When I was looking at colleges I knew I wanted to travel out of state so I would be able to experience a different part of the country and open my mind to new outlooks and viewpoints on life by surrounding myself with people from diverse backgrounds, because I believe everyone has something to teach us,” says Helmi Henkin, a sophomore at the University of Alabama, originally from California. “Going to a large state school definitely helps me attain this goal, [and for future collegiettes,] it can be a great opportunity to enrich your life and step out of your comfort zone.”

Helmi recognizes that going to school out of state isn’t for everyone. “If you know yourself well enough to know whether you would be able to handle not being able to go home constantly and adapt some of your lifestyle changes depending on what's normal or available in the school's area (for example, weather, religious or political beliefs, environmental consciousness), then I would definitely take a chance and go out of state. It could be the best decision of your life,” she says.

6. Becoming independent

Your years at college will undoubtedly be a period of transitions and exploring, especially because it allows you to live independently for the first time. For many students, this is the first opportunity to live without the support of their families back home, which has its pros and cons. While college will probably force you to become independent no matter where you choose to attend, proximity does play an important role.

Cassidy says she enjoys the independent aspect of going to a college on the opposite coast. “I feel like I’m very prepared for life after graduation, because I’m doing things myself that I otherwise would have relied on family members for,” she says.

Micki Wagner, a sophomore at the University of Missouri whose hometown is two hours away, agrees that the idea of independence is key. “I think going away is important because it allows you to learn and grow as a person on your own for the very first time,” she says. “There will be times you stumble, undoubtedly. But you will always come away having learned something you might not have learned had you stayed home and your parents had taken care of the problem.”

College itself may help you to become more independent, but proximity definitely has an effect on it. If you’re really looking to force yourself to be more independent, consider choosing a college that’s farther from home.

No matter where you choose to go to school––whether near your hometown or far away––proximity will definitely have an influence on your college experience. Choosing a college isn’t just about academics, student life and other elements that normally come to mind first – location is critical too! In order to make the right decision, be sure to consider all the factors and prioritize them by importance.

College is full of big decisions, like what you want to do with your career or who you're going to bring to your next date party. Life-changing decisions aside, though, there are a ton of other tricky choices we have to make on a daily basis. Should you shower or are you okay with looking homeless for class that day? Should you call your mom even though you know she's going to get mad that you were too busy watching Netflix to call her for the last three weeks? These are the REAL decisions...

1. Snack on an apple or go for froyo with your friends?

Good enough.

2. Get back to studying or click "Next Episode" on Netflix?

Netflix only gives you 10 seconds, and that's just not enough to get up off the couch. Bring it on, Episode 14.

3. Tell your friend that her outfit is totally trashy or let it slide?

Maybe she'll get the hint from a judgmental look...?

4. Sit next to that cute guy you spotted in class last week or keep to yourself?

DO IT. Just DO IT. 

5. Take a shower or use a bun to hide your greasy hair for the third day?

This depends on how many judgmental looks you're getting from your friends come morning...

6. Splurge on groceries at Whole Foods or slum it at a way less expensive supermarket?

Is organic bread even a thing? Really?

7. Wear the same outfit you did yesterday or switch it up?

Remember the Golden Rule: If no one saw you in it, you did not wear it.

8. Go for a run or just skip it?

Can you get all of your steps in by horizontal running? You're about to find out.

9. Put off doing laundry another day or have clean clothes?

You're re-using socks. It's time to make a change.

10. Sleep through your 8 a.m. or attempt to get out of bed and go?

It's all fun and games until you fail the first test.

11. Go out for dinner or make something from what you have in your kitchen?

You have a slice of bread, a container of yogurt, a ketchup packet from Chick-fil-A and a bottle of wine. Go!

12. Pay attention in class or scroll through your Twitter feed?

So many Tweets, so little time, such a boring lecture...

13. Going out when you have class/work the next day or staying in for the night?

This is where you say YOLO, right???

14. Pour yourself another cup of coffee to stay awake or go to sleep?

Answer: Switch to Red Bull, put on some Beyoncé and feel yourself gain a new energy.

15. Keep sharing "this is so true!"-inducing articles on Facebook or get back to studying?

Hmmm... School can wait.

YouTube musician and fairy tale connoisseur Evynne Collins has made all of our dreams come true with her most recent Disney compilation. Her video, which features everything from the earliest Disney princesses to today's heroines, shows just how much the Disney stars have transformed over the years. Oh, and she NAILS all our favorite Disney songs.

From Snow White singing about waiting for her prince to Elsa belting out lyrics about coming into her own, you can certainly see the difference between the older princesses and these modern-day women. Nonetheless, we love them all... and we dare you not to sing along.

Just yesterday, J.K. Rowling released the first in her new four-part series, The History of Magic in North America, which you can find on Pottermore. Obviously we are ALWAYS excited for new work from the Harry Potter author, but this time, she's seeing quite a bit of backlash, as the trailer suggests that Rowling may have appropriated aspects of the series from Native American culture.

The trailer introduces magical beings with the ability to shape shift, known in English as “skin-walkers,” but known by the Navajo as “yee naaldloohsii.” Skin-walkers are featured in various stories across many Native American cultures. Deeply embedded in the history of Native peoples, it is not surprising that Rowling chose to incorporate skin-walkers in telling the history of magic in the pre-colonial era of North America.

However, combining an important aspect of Native American culture in a story of magic and mythology perpetuates the notion that Native American folklore is, like Harry Potter, fictional. As Brown University scholar Dr. Adrienna Keene of the Cherokee Nation stated in an open letter to Rowling, the use of Native American culture to further Rowling's story of witchcraft and wizardy supports the stereotype that Native Americans “talk to animals, conjure spirits, perform magic, heal with ‘medicine’ and destroy with ‘curses.’”

“But we’re not magical creatures,” Keene contends. “We’re contemporary peoples who are still here, and still practice our spiritual traditions… traditions that are not akin to a completely imaginary wizarding world (as badass as that wizarding world is).”

Some may argue that the Harry Potter saga is based on European mythology of wizardry, so similarly utilizing aspects of Native American culture should not be seen as an issue. However, this is a case of cultural appropriation particularly because Rowling, as a white British woman, belongs to a culture that has largely benefited from the colonization and decimation of the Native population of North America, resulting in the destruction of Native culture. Thus, for her to then take aspects of this marginalized culture and incorporate it into her work, with little regard for its traditional significance, is ultimately insensitive.

Surely Rowling did not intend the use of skin-walkers in her work to be culturally insensitive. Nonetheless, its implications are harmful to Native Americans, who struggle to maintain a culture that has been exploited time and time again by mainstream media, thereby stripping their traditions of authenticity.

Dressing up a temporary space like a dorm or apartment can be tricky. Landlords and residence halls often restrict tenants from painting the walls, adding shelves or making any other drastic changes to the bedroom, bathroom or kitchen. So how do you make your living space feel like a home away home? Try using some of these sly renovation hacks that tiptoe around those pesky rules. By incorporating any of these ideas, your dorm or apartment can be your personalized sanctuary in no time.

1. Wall Curtains

Privacy is hard to come by in a big, open space like this. By installing a shower rod across the ceiling and hanging some curtains, you can divide the room into personal segments for days when you really need some space. 

2. Lightweight Rugs

If your apartment's wall-to-wall carpet looks like something out of a 1970s swingers party, try covering it up with a nifty rug. The trick is to pick out a thin cotton rug or indoor/outdoor rug to avoid tripping potential and hide hideous holes or stains.  

3. Mibo Tile Tattoos

We can't always pick out our bathroom tiling, but in times of great need, we can tattoo over it! Introducing mibo tile tattoos, temporary moist-resistant decals used to cover up unattractive tiling. They come in 60 different colors and patterns so you can create your dream bathroom without angering your landlord. 

4. Contact Paper 

Not only can you change your bathroom tiling, but you can also use $10 contact paper to cover up ugly or outdated surfaces with mock peel-and-stick prints. Hide outdated kitchen counter tops with a granite design or revamp old wooden furniture with wood prints. The removal process is also surprisingly simple; just heat the surface with your hair dryer and peel off.  

5. Potted Plants

This may seem like a clichéd answer, but the best way to bring a little life into your dreary rental space is to add potted plants. Embrace the urban garden movement by storing low-maintenance plants in or on shelves, drawers, walls or even those plastic shoe racks you hang on the back of your door. You'll have your space spruced up in no time. 

6. Oversized Wall Art

Another ingenious way to get around messing with your dorm or apartment walls is to create oversized wall art. All you need is a large canvas, a quirky fabric or shower curtain design, some wallpaper paste and those always useful Command hooks to successfully mount a glorious piece of wall art. This will definitely lessen the glare from your plain white walls. 

7. Elegant Flower Décor

Add a fresh look to a drab wall or door frame by taping fake flowers to the walls or creating a floral border around your door. You can also use a clothesline and clothespins to clip and hang flowers from the walls or ceiling. Take it a step further by constructing your own paper flowers spritzed with perfume for a homey scent.

8. Instagram Wall Art

Clothesline, clothespins and tape also come in handy for turning your favorite Instagram shots into stunning wall art.

9. Wall-Mounted Fold Down Table

Wall-mounted tables are excellent for saving space while fashioning a practical and stylish work area. Priced at around $40, these tables can be a bit of splurge, but with easy instructions for constructing and removing the table, you won’t regret it.

10. Removable Wallpaper

Removable wallpaper is the ultimate way to spruce up blank walls, and there are endless possibilities for designs. Even though removable wallpaper costs anywhere from $15-$250, this is a safer bet than creating your own homemade wallpaper paste. The store-bought stuff won’t leave a stain on your walls.

You were so excited on bid day. You learned the hand signs, made a Pinterest page of sorority crafts and even got initiated. But then—something changed. You became unhappy. After bid day and big/little reveal, when you were showered in T-shirts and love, day-to-day sorority life lost its glimmer. Maybe you weren’t clicking with the girls, or maybe you began to think that perhaps you’re not cut out for this whole sorority thing.

Being in a sorority has its ups and downs, and for some, the cons outweigh the pros. Here’s what to do if you don’t like your sorority.

1. Think about why you joined in the first place

If you’re feeling tepid about sorority life, go back to your pre-rush mindset. What made you go through recruitment? Was it the prospect of finding future bridesmaids? Making awesome networking connections? Then, think about what initially drew you to the particular chapter you’re in.

“First, I think the woman should ask herself why she joined the organization in the first place, and then what is bothering her about the organization,” says Tessa, a former chapter president at The Ohio State University. Write down what you wanted in a sorority, and then write your hesitations. If you’re going to come to a conclusion about staying or going, it’s important to have a solid list of reasons before you make the decision. Once you drop, there’s no going back, and you won’t be able to join another chapter after you’ve been initiated.

If you joined for networking connections first and sisterhood second, it could be beneficial to stay in the sorority if the chapter has a proven track record of great opportunities. But, at the end of the day, you’re putting time, money and effort into staying in your chapter—and only you can decide if it’s worth being potentially unhappy for these benefits.

2. Speak up

If you’re unhappy with your chapter, talk to someone immediately. Your sorority’s leadership wants its members to be happy, so when you’re having doubts, let someone know. “[You] should contact a trusted older member of their organization,” Tessa suggets. “Perhaps a big, mentor or older friend who can give insight into her personal journey and give advice that is centered around membership.” Tell her your hesitations and see what advice she can give you—chances are, she’s been there too!

“I think that almost everyone has a period of time when they're not sure about their sorority,” says Alex Cardenas, founder of Bows, Pearls & Sorority Girls and an alumna of Texas A&M University. Being in a sorority is never totally smooth sailing, so rest assured that what you’re feeling is probably what many of your sisters are also feeling, or have felt.

Think beyond your big, though. “The [sorority’s] president can provide a big picture view of the organization and how this woman can or cannot grow from it,” Tessa says. “I think women also should utilize their option of speaking to advisors of the chapter. These are women who are removed from the collegiate experience and can sort through situations extremely objectively, while also speaking about how their membership has affected their adult life.”

Keep in mind that you’ll remain an alumna of your chapter for the rest of your life, so if you drop in the middle of college, you may lose out on potential connections. While it may seem scary to reach out to the president or advisors, know that they above all want happy members—they’ll appreciate that you are asking for advice instead of making a rash decision!

3. Reach out

If one of your main hesitations is that you feel like you’re not clicking with the girls, reach out to sisters you don’t know yet. “I didn't find my best friends the first year I was in my sorority, and it definitely made me second guess my decision to join on multiple occasions,” Cardenas says. “The best thing to do is to really put yourself out there. If you're going to grab lunch, text some sisters and see if they want to join, try to be outgoing, and say yes when another sister sends an invite to go and do something.”

Although this is easier said than done, you may be surprised after reaching out! According to Cardenas, you have to put in the effort to create those friendships. “If you want the experience of being in a sorority and having that sisterhood, then there is no wrong sorority—it truly is what you make of it and how you look at it,” she says. “It's not four years, it's for life.”

This worked for Isabelle*, a freshman at the University of San Francisco, who initially felt like she didn’t click with her sisters. “I think the reason I have trouble relating to a majority of my chapter is because I am more on the introverted side, and most of the girls in my chapter are very outgoing and have different interests than I do,” she says. “My grand big and I both love Starbucks, so I reached out to her by asking to go grab coffee at the beginning of first semester, and we realized we had a lot in common, so we became close almost instantly!” So even if your big or the girls in your fellow pledge class aren’t besties, chances are, there’s a sister out there who you’ll love!

4. Get more involved

If you’ve been in your sorority for a year or two and are past the new member period, getting more involved on a leadership level may make your time in your chapter more worthwhile. “They always say that the more you put into your sorority, the more you will get out of it,” Cardenas says. “I was constantly involved, whether it was volunteering to be a sober driver, decorating the house for recruitment, painting a banner or serving on my executive board. Find ways to get involved and it will remind you why you joined your sorority in the first place.”

Being a leader in your sorority may also be a great way to change the things you don’t like. “Your [sorority] experience is shaped by what you decide to do,” Lauren, a former chapter president at Purdue University, says. So if something is bothering you, fix it!

5. Wait it out

If you’re a new member, you may feel out of place in your chapter. Lauren advises that members wait it out for a bit before considering dropping—at least a semester. “Younger members often feel a little awkward in the beginning because they have so many new faces to meet and get to know,” she says. “They may feel intimidated by older actives and feel insecure in their voice in the sorority.”

Unfortunately, this can really only go away with time and additional involvement. “There have been days when I've felt like I didn't have any friends among my sisters (usually at chapter meetings where my closest friends don't show up),” says Lucy*, a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles. “It's not a good feeling. But every time, whether it's after a few minutes, a few hours or a few days, a sister reminds me why I joined and that I do have friends.” Usually, your doubts may blow over if you just stay the course and wait it out.

6. As a last resort, drop

If your differences with your chapter are irreconcilable, then resigning may be a good option for you. If, for instance, you can’t afford being in your sorority, or you’re struggling with the time commitment—these are great reasons to leave. Additionally, if the organization’s values are constantly clashing with your own, then you absolutely owe it to yourself to drop. “You should be happy/proud to be a member of your sorority,” Lauren says. “If you do not feel happy, you should not feel forced to remain.”

That being said, remember that dropping is permanent. “I think women should think very hard about their decision to drop their sorority,” Tessa says, “because there is a reason that they joined and went through with their initiation, and making a rash decision about your membership in this sort of organization can lead to a lot of regret in the future.” Make a pro/con list, talk to members of the chapter’s exec board—do everything you can to make sure your decision is the right one for you—because once it’s done, it’s done.

Each sorority has different processes for dropping—but if you want to start the process, speaking with the chapter president is a good place to begin. That’s what Emma, a senior at Kenyon College, did two years ago when she dropped her sorority. She deactivated her sophomore year, and while she does miss some of the traditions and the bonding opportunities, she is glad she made the decision. “I don't regret it because it had started to feel more like a job than something I wanted to be a part of,” Emma says. “I sent an email to the whole sorority explaining that it wasn't anything about them, that I valued our friendships and my time in the organization, but that I didn't feel like it was a good fit for me anymore.” For Emma, the cons outweighed the pros—but only you can decide what’s right for you.

If, after talking to your big, the chapter president and perhaps even alumnae, you still feel unhappy, now’s the time to turn in your badge. While being in a sorority can have its ups and downs, you shouldn’t have to be miserable!

*Names have been changed