College seniors can rejoice becasue, according to a new report by the Economic Policy Institute, the job market is the best it's been in eight years, CNN reports.

"Due to the progression of the economic recovery and a substantial improvement in the unemployment rate, members of the Class of 2016 currently have better job prospects than the classes of 2009–2015," the report reads.

The unemployment rate for recent college graduates is down to 5.6 percent, CNN reports. But the EPI's report explains that recent college graduates will still face economic challenges, including a pretty big gap between recently-graduated men and women when it comes to wages, according to The Huffington Post. Women made about $4 less per hour than men as of February 2016, and while men's wages have risen 8 percent since 2000, women's have gone down 7 percent.

CNN also points out that while that average unemployment rate doesn't sound so bad, the rate for different groups tells another story—While white recent grads have an unemployment rate of under 5 percent, black college grads are looking at a rate over 9 percent. And the EPI researchers said that in terms of wages, top-earning men are probably making the average wage seem higher than it actually is, highlighting growing income inequality.

So, while the job market is the best it's been for college grads in quite some time, women and people of color are still facing gaping inequality when it comes to equal pay.

HBO has announced via YouTube that it will be "taking over" this weekend with premieres of some of our favorite HBO shows and, of course, the highly-anticipated world premiere of Beyoncé's Lemonade. But we already knew that, so what's the big deal? 

Well, Bey's massive television event just so happens to be taking place during one of the subscription service's free preview weekends, which means even if you don't subscribe to HBO you can watch Queen B in all her glory. Did we mention it's FREE?!

According to the HBO teaser, Lemonade will run for one hour, starting at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday. There will be an encore showing on Sunday at 8 p.m., followed by the season premieres of Game of Thrones, Veep and Silicon Valley.

This announcement comes just days after Beyoncé released a Lemonade teaser of her own. Still, no one is quite sure what Lemonade actually is. Perhaps it’s short film? A compilation of music videos featuring new songs? Whatever it is, it’s sure to cause a media frenzy just as “Formation” did.

To say the definition of 'milk' has diversified in the last few years would be an understatement. For those of us who are lactose-intolerant, vegan or just plain don't like the taste of cow milk, we now have the options of almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, even cashew milk! But there's a new kid on the block, and they're about to blow your mind. The company Ripple Foods, which specializes in making dairy alternatives, is releasing a new product—Have you heard of milk made from peas?

While this may sound a little weird—anyone else thinking of pea soup?—this pea milk has quite a few health benefits, according to Fast Company. Ripple's milk actually has 8 grams of protein, the same amount as cow milk and 7 more grams than almond milk. Plus, Ripple claims to be patenting a new technology that allows them to get rid of the pea taste and make a creamy, convincing dairy alternative. Cosmopolitan points out that pea milk includes quite a few more ingredients than cow milk does, if you care. If you're interested in giving the newest member of the milk family a try, Ripple's pea milk will be available at Whole Foods beginning May 2.

Did we mention that manufacturing pea milk is a whole lot better for the environment than dairy milk or almond milk? According to Ripple, pea milk requires way less water (like, over 90 percent less) for manufacturing than dairy does. So next time you're at the supermarket, maybe try going green (not literally), and test out a bottle of this stuff.

Fans around the world are mourning the loss of Prince, who died at age 57 on Thursday. Members of the music community are paying tribute to the legendary singer in a variety of ways: Jennifer Hudson and the cast of The Color Purple performed a chilling rendition of "Purple Rain," while Spike Lee threw a last-minute block party dedicated to Prince with more than 1,000 people in attendance. 

The cast of Hamilton took a different approach by having an onstage dance party to one of the music icon's most memorable songs. Lin-Manuel Miranda started off by saying, "We lost a giant today," before reading the intro to "Let's Go Crazy": "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life."

Miranda and the cast proceeded to dance around the stage, and their energy was so contagious that people cheered and danced along in the audience. Overall, it was a joyful celebration of Prince's life, and it kept the spirit of his music alive. As the rest of the intro goes, "In this life, things are much harder than in the after world / In this life, you're on your own."

Remember how excited you were when you got accepted into college? For Rachel Grace, a 20-year old who has Down Syndrome, that joy has been shared with millions of people. The video of her reacting to her acceptance letter from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is absolutely heartwarming and has received over 15 million views since it was uploaded. 

The program Grace was accepted into is called Career, Independent Living & Learning Studies (CILLS). It is a non-degree three year certificate program designed for students with intellectual disabilities that teach the students how to get a job and live independently, and it's very selective, according to NBC News.

In the video, Grace is opening her acceptance letter and reading aloud the first sentence with growing excitement as she realizes she has been accepted. She shouts, "I got in! I got in!" to the delight of her family members. We are so excited for this new collegiette, and we're sure she is going to go far.

Police are now questioning multiple students at Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington, Del., after a female student was killed Thursday during an assault in one of the school's bathrooms, according to The New York Times.

Amy Joyner-Francis, 16, was a sophomore at the school. The fight originally broke out around 8 a.m., right after classes began for the day. According to a witness who was in one of the bathroom stalls at the time, Joyner-Francis and another student who has yet to be identified began to fight when multiple others jumped in and attacked her. 

"She was fighting a girl, and that's when all these other girls started banking her—jumping her—and she hit her head on the sink," Kayla Wilson told WPVI, according to the Associated Press.

Soon after the fight, Joyner was airlifted to A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, where she was later pronounced dead. Students and teachers were held in their classes until 10:15, when classes were dismissed for the rest of the day.

"My heart bleeds for the family," said Dennis P. Williams, the mayor of Wilmington, at a news conference. "Things like this shouldn't happen."

Students at the school seemed distraught over the matter and a hashtag, #RIPAmy, as well as a Facebook memorial page, was made in Joyner's honor. By Friday afternoon the Facebook page had well over 11,000 likes.

Howard, which is not known for being a violent school, later released a statement regarding Joyner's death.

"This is not only an unspeakable tragedy for her family, but also for the school and the entire community," the statement read. "We are shaken but stand ready to provide support and care to the family, to Howard students and staff, and to all those affected by this senseless act. We ask that you do the same."

It looks like there may be some peace in the Kardashians vs. Blac Chyna drama—and it may be due to a little help from Kim Kardashian!

Yesterday, both Kylie Jenner and Blac Chyna shared photos on their Snapchat stories showing the two hanging out. Kylie shared a mirror selfie of herself and Chyna together with the caption “when we’ve been best friends the whole time.” Chyna posted an almost identical photo, saying “hanging out with my lil sis.” Rob Kardashian later shared a photo of the two on Instagram, captioning it "so happy my girls finally got to talk and make peace! #MyFamily #AllLove." 

This has greatly surprised fans, given the two’s complicated history. In short, Kylie has been dating Tyga, Blac Chyna’s ex-boyfriend and the father of her young son. Blac Chyna also used to be best friends with Kim Kardashian. In an even more complicated twist of events, Blac Chyna recently became engaged to Rob Kardashian, Kylie’s half-brother.

Now, TMZ is reporting that Kim Kardashian is the reason these two ladies are suddenly hanging out. Kim reportedly called Chyna to talk about her engagement to Rob and then even invited her over to discuss things further. This supposedly led to Kylie and Chyna talking over the phone and, by the looks of things, making up. News outlets are pointing out this explanation may not be too far-fetched, given that Kim and Chyna used to be such close friends. But there are skeptics who also believe this scenario is too good to be true.

Whatever the reason Kylie and Chyna are taking photos together, we’re just glad that it seems like they’re (maybe) on good terms!

A new article posted by The New York Times reveals some pretty thought-provoking possibilities as to why girls tend to be a bit more anxious than guys. 

Based on his research, the author, Leonard Sax, MD, PhD, tells some of us what we kind of already know. He says that during adolescence, girls are more dissatisfied with their bodies while boys begin to be more satisfied with their bodies. This ties into the differences in the ways that girls and boys use social media—According to the study, girls are more likely to use social media to post pictures of their bodies looking amazing, while boys are more likely to show off their accomplishments. 

"If you don't like Jake's selfie showing off his big trophy, he may not care," the article reads. "But if you don't like Sonya's photo of herself wearing her bikini, she's more likely to take it personally."

Another issue that was brought up in regards to social media seemed to have a lot to do with the comparison of each others' feeds. We can all relate to the experience of looking at social media posts and thinking everyone else is off having amazing adventures that are so much cooler than our own. No matter how many times we're reminded that everybody curates their social media profiles to look like the most fun, most beautiful version of themselves, it's hard for that information to sink in—And many girls, as the article points out, end up thinking, "My life sucks."

The results of the study are pretty interesting, though not very surprising. Read more about the research conducted on the topic here.

Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. has removed rapper Action Bronson from their Spring Weekend concert lineup after outcry from students. The student group responsible for the concert lineup wrote a statement on Facebook explaining that they wanted to remove Bronson as the headliner even before the student backlash, but couldn't find a way out of their contract with the artist.

Bronson was removed as the Spring Weekend headliner after students expressed concerns over his song lyrics promoting misogyny as well as being anti-LGBTQ+. A petition was created on Change.org and managed to gain over 1,000 signatures, while also including statistics that show that Trinity College has one of the highest rates of homophobia and reported sexual assaults in the country.  

“We fully recognize that we will not receive a refund and that we are contractually bound to pay Action Bronson. However, we think it would be better for Trinity students, and the institution's reputation, for the concert to be cancelled regardless" the petition read.

This happened just weeks after Bronson's appearance at George Washington University's Spring Fling was canceled, mostly regarding a track made in 20ll titled "Consensual Rape." The rapper was scheduled to perform at Trinity on April 30. 

Action Bronson delivered a statement in response to the cancelation at GW, and apologized for any of his actions coming off as homophobic and misogynistic. He's released the same statement in response to being removed from the Trinity concert.

"I’m far, far from perfect and I recognize my flaws and I’m making an effort to grow and be a better human," he said.

“Wow, Switzerland! You’re so lucky.” I used to hear it all the time, especially when I returned from study abroad. The only way to respond? “Yes, it was an amazing experience.”

Amazing, sure. Full of doubt, disappointment, self-loathing, weight gain, and homesickness? That too. And that’s ok.

I spent my junior year in Geneva, Switzerland, studying international law and completing an internship. Signing up, it was a dream come true. It was a subject I was passionate about, in a foreign country known for its cosmopolitanism, cheese, and most of all, beautiful mountains. I couldn’t wait.

The first thing I did when I arrived in my new dorm, safely locked away in the bathroom from my new roommate, was cry.

But I told no one. Instead, I wrote this on my blog:

“Switzerland, this is why I love you. The wild here is like the kind you read about in books or see in movies. I’ve passed miles and miles of countryside on trains that continues to stun me. These mountains here defy any kind of explanation of feeling, I just know that I feel something deep within me when I’m up on a mountain, and know that I never want to leave.”

We don’t talk enough about how abroad might not live up to your expectations. We buy into the idea that abroad has to be this amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience like kindergarten, where there are no rules, no parents, and no academic pursuits needed.

“I spent a lot of the semester extremely homesick and stressed out,” says Isabelle*, who spent a semester in Japan. “On top of that, I was upset because everyone tells you that study abroad is supposed to be life-changing.”

Related: It’s Okay to Be Disappointed by Your Study Abroad Experience

Regardless of your transition from high school to college, moving to another country takes you completely outside of your comfort zone. By the time you’re a junior, you’re settled at school. You’ve got your friend groups, your extracurriculars and your professors. There’s not a lot of unpredictability.

Abroad rips you headfirst out of that zone. I was utterly unprepared for city life, French speaking, cooking by myself and living thousands of miles away from my friends, family, and boyfriend. It didn’t matter how often I had visited major metropolitan areas, took French classes, or cooked with my family.

That’s still a good thing.

Even though I spent most of my abroad experience on an emotional rollercoaster, struggling with feeling like a fish out of water (not just in the country, but with my program mates, too) and missing home and my school, I don’t regret it for a minute. It was an amazing once-of-a-lifetime experience, but not for the reasons I expected when I left for the airport in September.

As tough as it was, I learned more about myself than I ever would staying in my comfort zone at school. I learned in short order that I didn’t like international law, city living (you’re talking to a country girl here), working for a nonprofit, or Swiss food.

Yeah, I cried a lot.

But four years later, I wouldn’t change a thing. Without my abroad experience, I wouldn’t be the capable, confident person I am now. I wouldn’t be able to “adult” successfully (okay, still working on it.) Not only did it make me appreciate my collegiate community, it gave me a huge travel bug.

“Study abroad was stressful, but now that I've done it I'm ready to travel on my own terms," Isabelle adds.

I consider myself lucky to have been able to hike gorgeous mountains, see the country, and become comfortable eating and doing things alone. So yes, it was an amazing experience—It’s just taken me a few years to see that for real.

*Name has been changed

With the untimely death of music icon Prince, many celebrities have shared touching social media posts commemorating the legend. However, Justin Bieber may be one musician who is not feeling the love.

A recent comment Bieber supposedly left on an Instagram post dedicated to Prince has sent fans of the legend into an uproar. Guitarist Andrew Watt posted a tribute to Prince on Instagram where he referred to the musician as the “last of the greatest living performers.” Bieber seemingly did not agree with that statement and commented “well not the last greatest living performer.”

Bieber’s comment has since been deleted, but not before the Internet could (of course) take numerous screenshots. It’s unclear whether he was referring to himself or another living artist when he made the comment, but one thing is for sure—the Internet is mad AF. Fans angered over Bieber’s alleged comment have taken to social media to express their frustration, while others have passionately defended the Canadian musician.

Meanwhile, Gossip Cop claims that Bieber's rep is calling the screenshot "fabricated," though we'll probably never know for sure.

Whatever the motivation for the comment was and no matter who posted it, it definitely appears to have been inappropriate. Prince was undoubtedly an icon and his death shouldn’t be used to argue who’s the next best living music legend. Not cool. 

We’ve all seen those famous “Hey girl” memes that feature a picture of Ryan Gosling accompanied by a sweet, motivational caption. Well, Ryan is finally setting the record straight about his involvement in the long-running joke.

In a video by BuzzFeed Celeb, Ryan meets with Russell Crowe, his co-star in the upcoming film The Nice Guys, for couple's therapy. The pair are obviously trying to work through their many issues, and as you would expect, hilarity ensues. Crowe confronts Gosling about the wildly successful "Hey girl" movement, and that's when Ryan completely devastates us by revealing he's never even said the phrase at all.

The video is silly to the point of falling in love with this guy all over again. It is sure to make you laugh—or cry, depending on how you feel about this life-shattering bombshell.  

Imagine going in for your gynecologist appointment and being greeted by a bunch of U.S. Congressmen instead. It’s literally the stuff of nightmares.

Thank goodness that this isn’t a reality (for now) but only a sketch from the season premiere of Inside Amy Schumer, during which the comedian brilliantly tackles the topic of women’s healthcare. In the sketch, Amy goes in for her annual pap smear only to find that her doctor has been replaced by the (fictional) House Committee on Women’s Health, who claim that they know more about women’s healthcare than “science-y nerdles.”

They expertly refer to periods as “lady curses” and to tampons as “blood diapers.” It gets worse when they criticize Amy for being sexually active but not married, and insult her for not having any children at age 34. When it comes time for the actual vaginal examination, even more Congressmen appear, which causes Amy to angrily say, “I feel a lot more comfortable with a woman in here. Aren’t there any women on the Women’s Health Committee?” to which the Congressmen only respond with laughter.

Again, this is literally a nightmare situation.

While Amy Schumer manages to make this sketch super hilarious, it’s also a really important topic. It’s more a laugh-cry moment. The reality is that significant decisions regarding women’s healthcare are being made by a bunch of men, and that’s really scary, especially since we have a presidential candidate (ahem, Donald Trump) who is vowing to “punish” women that get abortions. There is underrepresentation of women in the government, and this needs to change—both for the sake of our country as a whole and our vaginas. 

If there is one thing that reigns true for college women everywhere, it is that we all love leggings. With the warmer months upon us, are you looking for a new way to style your favorite pair? Read on to find out how you can use your zodiac sign to perfect your legging look this spring:

Aries

Ally Fashion white t shirt

Zara denim jacket

Thick legging

 

Vans white flat
 

Patchington fringe purse

Ray-Ban ray ban sunglasses

 

Since you tend to be more laid-back, leggings should totally be your best friend (if they aren’t already). Wear them with your favorite graphic tee, a bold jacket and a cute pair of sneakers for a great look this spring!

Taurus

You are all about comfort, but you also love making a statement. Leggings offer you the perfect route to mastering a look that encompasses both of these things. This outfit is the perfect spring option for days when you have class! 

Gemini

White v neck t shirt

Topshop ribbed tank top

 

Adidas legging

Birkenstock arch support sandals

Handbags crossbody

MANGO metal glasses
 

 

You love color and mixing things up, so your legging style should definitely be a reflection of that! With lots of fun colored and patterned leggings available, like these ones from Adidas by Stella McCartney, be sure to experiment and be bold.

Cancer

White shirt
stylemoi.nu
 

 

Topshop high waisted pants
topshop.com
 

 

Topshop ballet flat
topshop.com
 

 

Rebecca Minkoff hand bag
nordstrom.com
 

 

Carolee earrings
macys.com
 

 

Marc by Marc Jacobs watch
amazon.com
 

 

Forever 21 round sunglasses
forever21.com
 

Cancers and confidence go hand in hand. Why not pair your leggings with more sophisticated pieces like this embroidered tank? This look is so chic that people won’t even notice you’re wearing leggings––win!

Leo

Adidas cotton jersey
stellamccartney.com
 

 

Duster coat
boohoo.com
 

 

Hue stretch waist pants
6pm.com
 

 

Faux-leather boots
tillys.com
 

 

Jessica Simpson gold pendant necklace
belk.com
 

 

Brimmed hat
simons.ca
 

As a natural-born leader, your legging look should be bold and unapologetic! You will probably never have one go-to outfit that you pair leggings with, but whatever you wear will capture the attention of everyone in the room.

Virgo

Equipment cami top
equipmentfr.com
 

 

Isolde Roth clothing
navabi.co.uk
 

 

Hue white pants
macys.com
 

 

Wet Seal clothing
wetseal.com
 

 

Frye strappy sandals
6pm.com
 

 

Monsoon beige purse
monsoon.co.uk
 

As a Virgo, your attention to detail (in all aspects of your life) is one of your defining characteristics. Fashionable, functional and fabulous are three words that are most likely to sum up your style. For your perfect leggings outfit, we recommend going for something more boho.

Libra

NLY Trend wrap top
nelly.com
 

 

Ponte legging
topshop.com
 

 

Rachel Zoe woven shoes
shopbop.com
 

 

ASOS day pack backpack
asos.com
 

 

Cateye sunglasses
pixiemarket.com
 

You like to rock a wide range of styles, so you probably wear your leggings differently depending on your mood and schedule that day. You're known to have an outfit for every occasion! No matter the look, you should always aim for elegance and balance.

Related: 17 Reasons Why Leggings Are the Best Pants

Scorpio

Red shirt
genuine-people.com
 

 

Topshop ponte pants
topshop.com
 

 

Topshop leather boots
topshop.com
 

 

Kate spade jewelry
cusp.com
 

 

Choker necklace
mymummadeit.goodsie.com
 

 

Topshop aviator sunglasses
topshop.com
 

You are known to command a room––especially when it comes to fashion. So, just because you are in a pair of leggings doesn’t mean that anything will change. Rock a pair that screams confidence, like these from Topshop, and you’ll be turning heads without a doubt.

Sagittarius

Pink hooded sweatshirt
victoriassecret.com
 

 

NIKE activewear pants
harrods.com
 

 

MANGO v neck sports bra
mango.com
 

 

NIKE velvet shoes
barneys.com
 

 

Retro round glasses
popmap.com
 

 

NIKE hair accessory
finishline.com
 

You’re known to be spontaneous and adventurous, so you should opt for an athletic look that allows you to be free! You can choose comfort and still have a knock-out outfit. Try this hoodie from PINK and get moving!

Capricorn

Uniqlo long sleeve shirt
uniqlo.com
 

 

High waisted pants
riverisland.com
 

 

Pour La Victoire brown sandals
6pm.com
 

 

The Cambridge Satchel Company leather purse
gilt.com
 

 

Topshop gold watch
topshop.com
 

 

Adele Marie gold necklace
johnlewis.com
 

As a Capricorn, your style is always clean-cut in a way that appears effortless. You love to combine comfort and power, so a sophisticated leggings outfit is perfect for you. Try pairing your leggings with a chic top, like this button-up from UNIQLO.

Aquarius

H M gray tee
hm.com
 

 

Boohoo wrap jacket
boohoo.com
 

 

Label Lab legging
houseoffraser.co.uk
 

 

Converse laced sneaker
6pm.com
 

 

Spitfire glasses
dailylook.com
 

Experimentation is an important factor in the fashion sense of an Aquarius, so try something outside the box the next time you wear leggings. We recommend mixing fun pieces, like these ombré leggings from House of Fraser and a cute sleeveless jacket.

Pisces 

Acne Studios white crop top
 

Maiocci grey legging
 

Liliana white sandals
 

Vera Bradley crossbody handbag

Hysteric Co chain necklace

 

Kosha round sunglasses

 

Feminine styles often define the fashion sense of a Pisces, so your leggings look should definitely incorporate pieces that are both comfortable and cute. Take a look at this hoodie from Modekungen for a great addition to your spring wardrobe!

Let’s be real––leggings are everybody's favorite pair of pants (yes, they're pants). Looking for the best way to style yours this spring? Find inspiration from the thing that knows you best: your zodiac sign!

We were obviously ecstatic to hear rumors of Princess Diaries 3 being in the works. Hearing it directly from the director of the first two films, Garry Marshall, didn’t hurt either. Chris Pine has also hinted that he’d be willing to revisit Genovia. And now, Robert Schwartzman, who played Mia’s first crush Michael in the original film, has said he would be interested in returning for the third film.

Of course, since we didn’t see Michael in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, Schwartzman is fully aware that some logistics might have to be worked out to bring him back into the story. "I'd have to see where they're taking it…What is this character now? What do you want it to be? It'd be cool to at least have the conversation about it if they want to do it.”

Since the films have taken somewhat of a different direction than the book series, it will definitely be interesting to see what the plot of the third film is. There are endless possibilities to consider. Maybe Michael could fall in love with Mia all over again, though he’d have to contend with Pine's Nicholas.

No matter what path the film ends up pursuing, if the first two movies are any indication, we’re sure the third will be one to remember.

There's nothing quite like the nostalgia that comes rushing over us when we pass by Disney Channel while scouring for something to watch on TV. We remember all of the amazing, spectacular programs that we grew up on (and desperately try to find on YouTube), and eventually end up reminiscing on our entire childhood. While it’s hard to come up with only a few items that made Disney Channel our TV playground, here is a list of the top moments that we will never forget.

1. Disney Channel’s Circle of Stars “Circle of Life” Music Video

It seemed as if it was required that you had to be able to sing and act to be on Disney Channel, and all these stars passed with flying colors.

2. The Disney Channel Games

3. The High School Musical Franchise

…Even if they did lie to us about what high school would be like…

4. Destiny’s Child Guest Appearance on “The Famous Jett Jackson”

R.I.P. Lee Thomas Young.

5. “That’s So Suite Life of Hannah Montana”

A mash-up of Disney’s most popular shows at the time was worth the hype.

6. Disney Channel’s Circle of Stars “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” Music Video

7. Even Stevens's Rock Band Episode

8. The Cheetah Girls Movies

Girl power, diversity and sisterhood all in one film.

9. Every time a new star did their DC intro

Who used to practice saying their own in the mirror?

10. The Proud Family Theme Song

With B, Solange, Kelly and Michelle, the song was soulful and catchy, too.

11. Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable finally declaring their feelings for eachother

The perfect friendship to romance story.

12. Christy Carlson Romano & Hillary Duff's Epic Dance Scene in Cadet Kelly

13. The Gotta Kick it Up Chant

Si se peude!

14. That’s So Raven’s Best TV Boyband Ever, Boyz N Motion

15. Smart House almost predicting the future

Who knows what could happen in the next year or two?

16. The Color of Friendship Movie

This is exactly what type of film needs to air now.

17. Anytime Lizzie McGuire’s Inside Voice Told (or Showed) Us What’s Really Going On

College relationships are completely different from dating in high school. For roughly two hundred days out of the year, your college significant other is a mere jaunt across campus or right down the hall. You probably see each other every day and alternate sleeping at each other’s dorm rooms. In most ways, college relationships are far superior to the frivolous high school relationships that you had settled for in the past. However, one drawback to the collegiette relationship is the high chance that you’ll have to go through some patches of long distance.

Unlike your high school sweetheart, your college SO probably won’t live in your hometown. Being apart for breaks in the school year can be both challenging and intimidating. With summer break right around the corner, we have constructed a list of ways that you can prepare for the transition to a long distance relationship with your college significant other.

1. Communicate before-hand

Communication is key in any relationship, but absolutely critical in long distance relationships. Prior to the end of the school year, talk to your partner about what the summer will mean for the relationship. Some couples may choose to forgo an open relationship for the summer months, while others can devise plans to remain closer than ever.

Carsen Zink, a sophomore at the University of Florida, says that she and her boyfriend plan to “FaceTime a lot — at least a few times a week.” While both Zink and her boyfriend understand that it will be hard to match up with each other’s schedules, they are confident that with frequent FaceTime and texting, they will be able to “make three months apart work.”

Understanding that both of you are on the same page about what the summer will make the break a lot easier. Knowing that your partner is fully set on making the relationship work will help to curb your anxieties about the relationship failing or your partner losing interest.

2. Control your jealousy

Being apart for such a long time can be worrisome and cause you to get pretty crazy. It is important to trust your partner and not go off the deep end every time their platonic female friend pops up on their Snapchat story. Remember that it won’t be like it is at school. When you are back at school you probably go to all social gatherings together and never have to worry about what your significant other is doing.

For the three months that they are partying and socializing without you, it is understandable that you will get worried and jealous. However, constantly picking fights over these worries will cause problems in the relationship.

Allan Smith*, a junior at the University of Florida, places the blame for the termination of his last relationship on the constant fights he and his girlfriend had over the summer. “She was constantly getting mad when I went out with my friends, even though she was hundreds of miles away from me.” He says, “Of course I missed her too, but what was I supposed to do? Sit at home alone all summer? All of the fighting made me realize that we would never work long-term.”

If you really love and care for your partner, you should be able to trust them and avoid this mistake. If you find yourself unable to trust them, maybe it is a good way to realize that the relationship just isn’t going to work.

3. Stay busy and have your own life

The summer is going to be torture if all you do is sit at home and think about your significant other and what they are doing. When you’re in a relationship, it is important to remain independent. This is even truer when you are in a long distance relationship.

Sophia Kremp*, a junior at Florida State University, says that she did whatever she could to keep herself busy and keep living her life. “To avoid constantly thinking about my boyfriend, I made sure to fill up my schedule,” she says.

Of course you will miss them and think about them still, but at least you will still be doing things that you enjoy and remembering that you don’t need them in order to have a good time.

4. Get creative

Nightly phone calls and habitual good morning texts are great and all, but if you are going to make it several months without seeing each other, you are going to have to go a little further to remind your partner of how much you care for them.

“I would send my girlfriend a care package every month and fill it with things she loved to remind her of how much I care about her,” says Brandon Johnson*, a sophomore at the University of Florida. 

Madison Ray, a freshman at the University of Florida, says that while going through last summer with her girlfriend, she would “do little things like make her girlfriend her #WomanCrushWednesday, and give her a public shoutout, saying how much she missed her.” 

Going the extra mile for your partner is a great way to make sure that they don’t have any worries about how you feel about them. Reminding them of how much you love them, even from miles away, is a good way to keep the spark alive in the relationship.

5.  Plan ahead

Before going into the summer, it is important to plan. Just like you planned ahead when lining up your summer jobs and internships and planned which bikinis you’ll be wearing at the beach, you need to plan for your relationship. 

If you and your partner live only a few hours away, plan ahead for times that you can visit each other for a few days, or even just a few hours. If you live a little farther and have the means to do so, plan a time that you or your partner can fly to see each other or meet somewhere in the middle.

Making the effort to see your partner even when you are separated by so many miles will really show how serious you are about the relationship. Even better, you’ll make some pretty amazing memories.

Long distance relationships can be hard and will certainly test your relationship, but if you want it to work, it will. Once you and your partner return to campus, your relationship will be stronger than ever and you’ll be happy that you made it through.
 

*names have been changed

The college application process is hard, but sometimes the decision process can be even harder! While it’s nice to know you’ve been accepted to a few of your top schools, it can also put a lot of pressure on you when making your decision. If you’re having a tough time deciding which college to attend in the fall, take a look at these tips from collegiettes who went through the same decision. Consider these factors when trying to make your big decision!

1. Think about what is most important to you

When you have a big decision to make, it’s important to step back for a moment and assess the situation. Think back to when you were applying to schools and why you chose the ones you did. Consider what was most important to you when you were applying, whether it was campus size, majors offered or distance from home. Thinking back to why you applied to these colleges in the first place will help remind you which aspects of a school are most important to you. Consider making a list of everything you want in a school (a big campus, Greek life, small class sizes, etc.) and think about how each of the schools sizes up.

2. Visit the school

A good way to narrow down schools duringyour decision process is to visit each school and really gather an idea of what it would be like to spend your time there.

When Meghan Gibbons, a senior at Boston College, was trying to decide between her two top colleges, she paid each of the schools a visit. “This time I was thinking of myself as a student and whether or not I could live there for four years,” Meghan says. “After visiting one of the schools, I felt like I fit in perfectly, [and I] saw and met current students I could see being friends with and would want as my classmates.”

While a daytime visit will probably be helpful, an overnight stay will be an even better way to help you decide between schools. Allison Gail, a senior at John Carroll University, says that doing overnight visits made a huge difference when she was trying to narrow down her decision. “I think it's the only way to really get a feel for the people and the culture of the campus,” Allison says. “For example, at one school, no one helped me when I was lost, but at the other school, when I stopped to look at a map, four people came up to me and one of them walked me to where I needed to go!”

Experiencing the atmosphere and interacting with students will make it much easier for you to figure out where you want to spend the next four years. Eat lunch in the cafeteria, sit in on a class or maybe even join current students on the quad in order to get a feel of what it would really be like to be a student there. Look at the school’s admissions website or give the office a call to find out when they offer tours and if it would be possible to stay there overnight!

3. Think about distance and location

Two of the biggest factors for most students when choosing a college are location and distance from home. Some students like to stay close by so they can visit friends and family, and others like a fresh start in an entirely new environment. Some like big campuses in small towns, and others would prefer a big city to be their campus!

Kelsey Pomeroy, a sophomore at Ohio State University, says, “Originally, I chose my freshman-year college because it was in a big city, which I loved, but I didn't factor in the travel expenses required for going to a school 13 hours away! When I transferred, I made sure to pick a school that was closer to home, but still in a city. “

Make sure you know what type of campus you want, where you’d like the school to be and how far from home you’d like to be before you make any big decisions. Though you may be more focused on the schools themselves, the environment a school is in and how far it is from home will still affect your experience there! Look into what’s involved at each school you could attend – like travel costs, public transportation (if it’s in a city) or whether or not you’ll need to bring a car.

4. Consider the curriculum and your career

While college is certainly more than just academics, classes are still arguably the most important part of the experience; that’s why you’re going to college in the first place! Don’t let other factors constantly override the school’s educational side.

Chelsea Bast, a junior pharmacy student at the University of Connecticut, was stuck between UConn and the University of Rhode Island. While she was given enough scholarship offers that the two schools would be the same price, she wasn’t accepted into URI’s pharmacy school. “I decided to follow my career at UConn instead of URI because of the lack of career options for me at URI,” Chelsea says. “I would advise that high school students think clearly about their career options before choosing a school—if I had gone to URI, I wouldn't have been able to pursue the career that as a senior in high school I knew that I wanted!”

The goal of going to college is to get a degree, so it’s important that your college will provide an education you want and respect. Consider whether the colleges have your major and if they have a good reputation for small, hands-on classes. Think about what sort of general education and major requirements you’ll have to fulfill. While you may be occupied with thoughts about Greek life and hanging out on the quad, remember that academics are important, too!

5. Consider how far away you want to be from your friends and family

While proximity to your friends and family is an important factor to consider, don’t let it be the only factor that affects your decision. It’s tempting to follow your high school friends to college, but remember that college is a good time for a fresh start—not that that means you have to lose touch with your old friends!

When Cassidy Hopkins, a sophomore at Emerson College, was deciding between two schools, she had the hard task of rejecting the school that her best friend would be attending. While she liked the reputation of the University of Missouri’s journalism department and she wanted to be with her friend, she ended up choosing Emerson College for its location and small size.

“I think it's important not to be afraid of picking somewhere because you don't want to be away from your friends,” Cassidy says. “College is about meeting new people and having new experiences. While I'm sure it's great to have your best friend go to the same school as you, make sure you’re not just picking that school because your friend is going or wants to go there too!”

6. Ask yourself where you’ll get the best experience

Think about what you consider to be the typical “college experience.” If you imagine football games and campus traditions, steer clear of small schools that have little athletic spirit or sense of community. “While still considering any financial aid/credit transfer offers you receive, [you should] go with the school that will allow you to make the most of your college experience,” says Kate Dwyer, a freshman at Johns Hopkins University.

The atmosphere and experience of a college is perhaps the most important thing you could consider, and it can vary a lot from school to school. A state school with a large campus will have a very different and probably more traditional feel than a small city school with no defined campus. Think about what each school’s atmosphere is like, what types of students go there and what unique opportunities they offer. All of this will help make up the overall feel and atmosphere of the school, which can really affect your time there. Choose the college that will let you make the most of the next four years—the one you personally think you’ll get the most out of.

If all else fails, make a good, old-fashioned pros-and-cons list for each school. Mapping out what you like and dislike about each school will make it easier to see if one outweighs the other.

The deadline is quickly approaching and it’s almost time to make your final decision! Use the time you have left to really break down the schools you’re deciding between and decide what you need from your college experience. It’s a big decision, so think hard and make sure it’s the right one!

Congratulations! You finally landed that coveted full time job you worked so hard for. You nailed your interview, and now you have a job offer in your inbox. What you do with that job offer is completely up to you, but there are ways to negotiate certain aspects of your newly minted job that will get you ahead. Learning how to negotiate builds confidence, shows your new employer what you value and gives you the right tools to work with when you move up the corporate ladder. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, so don’t let potential benefits and hidden perks slip through your fingertips!

1. Signing bonus at time of hire

You looked at the salary your new employer offered and decided it’s a good deal, but did you know that you could make even more money when you sign your contract by asking about a signing bonus (often called “sign-on bonus”)?

A signing bonus is a one-time payment companies use to beat out competition if you receive an offer from another company with a higher salary. Companies can offer a signing bonus to meet your needs if your salary isn’t what you’re currently making. They use the extra money as an incentive to make up for bonuses that a candidate might be missing out on as he or she starts his or her new job. Signing bonuses may not be common, but many companies will not hesitate to pull out all the stops, especially if they think there’s a chance you might reject the offer.

Signing bonuses can be win-win for both you and the company. They don’t always present it to every candidate, so if you think you should be entitled to one, don’t be afraid to ask!

2. Guaranteed bonus at some point after you’re employed

Some employers offer a guaranteed bonus after you start your job. If you notice that your job offer doesn’t say anything about a guaranteed bonus, bring this topic up when you sit down with your employer. You may feel like your base salary is quite low, and if your employer isn’t willing to raise it, try talking to him or her about a guaranteed bonus six months in or at the end of the year.

Gabriela Grzybowski, a recruitment coordinator at a multinational consumer products company, says the best way to talk about bonuses during the offer process is by making sure you do your research beforehand.

“Be knowledgeable about what you’re worth, and make sure you understand your industry and field,” Grzybowski says. “When I was negotiating my job offer, I made sure I educated myself on the industry standard and I went from there.”

Guaranteed bonuses aren’t always contingent on your performance, but they can be. Also, there are commission-based bonuses that are typically offered to employees who are in sales roles.

3. Vacation time or time off for important events

You know that you’re a bridesmaid in your best friend’s wedding at the end of June, so don’t be afraid to let your new boss know that you need time off for that. Being upfront about vacations that have already been booked at the time of your job offer lets your employer know that you’re thinking of the company. You boss and new department will also appreciate the heads up so that they can better deal with your absence when the time approaches.

“When I was negotiating for my first job out of graduate school, it was really nerve-wracking!” says Alexandra Patterson, a 2014 masters graduete of UNC-Chapel Hill who currently works as a research librarian at Mercersburg Academy. “I had my grandmother's 94th birthday party that I had already committed to attend. I let the HR director know that this was already on my schedule and that I would be very grateful if it could be worked into my work schedule. I provided the HR director with the exact dates I would be gone and how it would affect my department's coverage. I think by showing that I had thought about what it meant for the company, I showed how much I valued the position.”

Also, schedule time to sit down and talk about how much vacation time you’re entitled to. The average amount of time employers offer their employees is two weeks but can increase with years of service. If you’re someone who doesn’t use all of the vacation days you’re offered during the allotted 12-month period, make it a point to ask if any of those days can roll over to the following year.

4. Relocation and moving expenses

If there’s an opportunity to work in another office out of state or your company wants to transfer you internationally, make sure you understand their relocation policy and negotiate anything you think your company should cover.

Salvatore Fusari was working in recruitment for Reckitt Benckiser when his company approached him with an international transfer to work as a human resources generalist for their global headquarters in the United Kingdom.

“Relocating high-performing individuals represents a major investment for any corporation. Employers are willing to cover moving costs, transportation costs, regular flights home, immigration support and more in the hopes that the employee will thrive in their environment,” Fusari says. “Given the right support, relocation can result in a win-win situation for both employee and employer. The employee now has a unique experience to show on their resume, and the employer has effectively increased the strength of their workforce by exposing employees to different environments and challenges.”

5. Flexible work hours and telecommuting options

Working hours and the option to work from home are also great topics to discuss. Perhaps you’re an early riser and would rather work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (as opposed to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Let your boss know! If you feel you’re more productive in the afternoon hours, ask your new employer if you can come in from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

You can be a bit more creative and ask your boss about working a condensed week as well. If you’re contracted to work 40 hours a week, instead of working eight hours a day for five days, ask if you can work 10 hours a day over a four-day work period.

Negotiating for flex hours could depend on your field and the role you hold as an employee, so before you ask, make sure you understand what is expected from you when starting your job. Are you in a sales role where you’re expected to be in the field during certain hours? Do you work in journalism where you’re expected to stay late to cover breaking news? Those are good examples of positions where you should think twice about asking to change your hours.

Colie Lumbreras, who graduated from the University of Iowa in 2011, now works as a marketing and media coordinator at Legacy Healthcare. Colie suggests negotiating the ability to work from home.

“Make sure the ability to telecommute is at least discussed going into the job,” Colie says. “I live in the Chicago area, and on those snow days and super-cold days last year when my car wouldn't start, I was able to work from home since my boss and I had previously discussed it.”

Telecommuting can benefit you in inclement weather, if you have transportation difficulties or if you have a morning or afternoon appointment that you can’t miss. Just make sure that you have the capacity to telecommute before you bring up the option.

6. Health insurance

Some companies require an employee to be on the job at least three to six months before their health insurance kicks in. If you’re losing health insurance from your old employer by taking your new job and you need your new plan to start earlier, tell your employer about your concerns.

Also, make sure that you’re clear about how much you’ll be contributing to your health insurance and how much your employer will be contributing. “Companies typically contribute 80 percent to health insurance, while employees pay in 20 percent, but every company is different on what percentage they are willing to contribute,” Fusari says.

Let human resources know how much you were putting in at your last job and how much your former employer was contributing. By talking to your boss about your experiences with health care costs at your last job, you may have some leverage as to how much money comes out of your check every month for health benefits.

7. Education stipends to further professional development

Are you currently attending grad school or thinking about it for the future? Do you want to take a class to help nudge your skills to a higher level? Let your employer know, and they may cover the cost—or part of the cost—for professional development.

“You can often get a certain amount of money per year to cover classes that will help you be better at your job; they can cover things like Google Analytics classes, online Photoshop tutorials and conferences relevant to your field,” says Christina Madsen, a 2014 graduette from Barnard College who currently works as the editorial and community manager for FindSpark.

Making your employer aware of your desire to heighten your professional development will make you stand out in your department and convey to your new boss that you’re always looking to improve yourself and your skill set.

“The most important thing I learned through negotiating was that it never hurts to ask,” Alexandra says. “Sometimes things, like professional development or technology, are not explicitly outlined in the offer letter but come standard with the position. Never be afraid to get it in writing.”

8. Lunch hour or a break during the day

One of the first conversations you should have with your new boss is if you get a lunch break or not. Some companies require you to take at least an hour for lunch and others only give you a maximum of 30 minutes.

You should also ask if you get an actual work break or if you are expected to stay and eat at your desk. If eating at your desk and taking a “working lunch” isn’t for you, let your employer know that you feel much more productive in the afternoon when you’ve had time away from your computer and your workstation to clear your head.

9. Stock options within the company

Employee stock options not only give you the right to buy shares of your new company at a fixed rate, but they also help you learn a thing or two about the stock market. By offering stock options, companies are hoping that their employees feel like they own part of the business and that they’re valuable assets to the company.

One benefit of owning stock in a company is that shares are often offered at a discounted rate. If the company does well and their stock goes up in the future, your discounted stock price will yield a higher profit for you as the employee. Speak with human resources about buying stock in your company at an employee rate.

10. Technological perks

One of the best advantages about getting a new job is the technological perks that may come with it. If you’re expected to be on call regularly, make sure that you receive a company cell phone so that your personal phone isn’t bogged down by work-related matters.

“If you commute or need to work on the go a lot, you can ask for a mobile hotspot on your phone. Some employers will pay for that so you can have a more flexible schedule,” Madsen says. “For example, if you have a long train ride to the office, you can leave earlier in the day, but work during your commute.”

Barry Drexler, an expert interview coach, says that perks such as a company laptop, an iPad and a corporate credit card are all within your rights of negotiating.

Tech perks, such as those listed by Drexler, are typically only expected to be for professional use. If your boss needs you to take a client out to lunch on a weekly basis, you may be entitled to a corporate credit card instead of using your personal card and being reimbursed later.

“I bring my work laptop home so that I can access certain programs I need to finish things up,” Grzybowski says. “My manager suggested we bring our laptops home on the weekend just in case something happens Monday and the employee can’t come in; at least they would be able to work from home and be productive.”

If you end up leaving your job, typically you’ll have to give the technology back to your employer.

Whether you need time off for an important event or you want to talk about working from home one day a week, don’t be afraid to do a little negotiating after you read the fine print of your new job offer.

Still a little hesitant? Colie has more great advice. “It was just simply a matter of raising the question,” she says. “I'm a full believer in honesty up front instead of trying to figure it out later and having it get sticky.”

You’ll learn a lot about how flexible your new company is, and you’ll be able to test out your confidence level when dealing with business. Your boss might even commend you for being proactive about your new position!

Summer is just around the corner and in case you haven't had the chance to stock up on cute swimwear from Victoria's Secret, you might want to do that ASAP. In fact, you might want to buy enough for this year AND next year because VS is officially shutting down their swimwear collection, according to BuzzFeed News.  

A few weeks ago, the company announced that approximately 200 jobs would be cut, in addition to the elimination of particular merchandise. While the press release didn't go into too much detail, it stated that one of the new strategies involves: "Focusing resources on core merchandise categories, where the company believes the greatest growth potential exists. This will involve the elimination of certain merchandise categories."

Now, we finally know which category will be cut—and it will destroy all of your beach-loving hearts. According to Citigroup, VS will be eliminating their swimwear line, choosing to focus more on their activewear apparel.

This may come as a shock to many, considering that it appeared as though the swimwear line was providing revenue for the company. Perhaps it was the "swim special" that aired on TV or the fact that swimwear contributed to 6.5% of sales at the chain, which gave us this impression. However, reports from last August told a different tale. Swimwear sales were significantly lower and the head of Victoria's Secret, Sharon Turner, said it was the “biggest disappointment and we did it to ourselves.” 

Because of the poor sales performance, the company will now be focusing on Victoria's Secret lingerie, Victoria's Secret beauty and PINK. Since VS “will be exiting out of all current inventory by the end of this year,” we'd highly recommend that you grab all your favorite swim apparel before it's gone for good.