Your college experience flies by so fast that you’re often stuck standing in line for graduation wondering where the past four years went. You vaguely remember meeting your best friend when she held your hair back after your first frat party and you kinda remember that all-nighter you pulled to get 3 term papers done in one night. But the rest is a blur of theme parties, walks of shame, and begging your older sister for her fake ID.

Before you know it, you’re out in the real world, working a real job alongside real people, wondering what happened to no-class Friday and $3 pitchers. And trust me, it ain’t fun.

It gets pretty easy to get caught up in it all and forget to be young and crazy. That’s why, with only a little way’s to go until I hit the big 2-5, I’ve put together the ultimate list of everything we, as fun-loving and fearless women, need to accomplish before we turn 25. Read More »

Melanie Jatsek is a speaker, author and registered dietitian who teaches college students how to eat to look better, feel better, think better and stress less!  She is getting ready to publish her book, written especially for college students, called “Brain Food for College Students,” so we thought we’d bring her on board to share some of her best advice with our CollegeCandies. Get to know Melanie here, then come back every week for advice on staying healthy from welcome week through finals and beyond.

5 Questions We Ask Everyone

1. What’s your favorite college memory/the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I was a bit of a nerd in college, so I didn’t get into much trouble. (I got into enough trouble my senior year of high school and must have gotten it all out of my system.)  I would say that my favorite college memory was taking advantage of NOT going to the Ohio State University football games and going shopping!  There were no crowds and I had the whole campus to myself because everyone (except me) was at the game!

2. Name 5 things you can’t live without:
My running shoes
My Smartphone
Cheese
My earplugs (when I sleep)
Coffee!!

3. What is your favorite song to belt out in the car/at the bar/for karaoke?
Even though I am married, “Single Ladies” by Beyonce

4. What is your motto/the advice you live by?
I have two. The first is that I can choose to be happy and make the best out of any situation or complain about it and be miserable. This always helps me stay positive even during the most challenging times! The other is that everything happens for a reason.

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I will have written 3 books for college students and completed my second or third college speaking tour! Read More »

I’ve been in California for nearly two months now, but everyone I run into asks the same question: “Are you going to move here permanently?” Those back in Georgia frequently ask me “Do you see yourself moving back home?” And of course, with the LSAT on my mind 24/7, the inevitable question of “Where do you want to go to law school?” comes up. Apparently all things post-grad rely on geography!

Where you go to law school matters a lot – especially for where you want to live. If you go to a school that isn’t nationally recognized, job perspectives outside of that region shrink. Am I spending all of my time thinking about law school in the context of location? No – there are more initial factors, but picking a future residence does have a major importance. But how daunting is that? Although it may be a little drastic to say, it really feels like I have to answer “Where do you want to live for the rest of your life?” right now at this very second.

So, the plan was to move out here – get my post-grad life together, and then figure out where to go after I worked hard enough to make my plans happen. Since I’ve been here, a lot of people assume this is where I plan to reside forever. Do I want to end up in Orange County or Southern California forever? Honestly, I don’t know if it’s for me. While California is gorgeous, I still don’t feel like I can call this place home. I haven’t had my “ah-ha” moment of residential happiness. Read More »

Questions for Tuffinski can be emailinskied to TuffyLuv@collegecandy.com and shoop.

Dear Tuffy Luv,

My boyfriend has recently gone on a study abroad trip for the rest of the summer.  He’s only been gone a week, and already I’ve noticed how drastically our relationship has changed.  For the first half of the summer, he always called many times a day and we visited each other every few weeks because we live in different states.  But now that he’s overseas, between the time difference and his busy schedule, there is no time for me! The trip he is on is with a huge group of his friends and is very party-oriented and it’s hard for me not to get jealous.

A big problem is that his phone does not work overseas so the only way for us to talk is for him to send me an email saying that he’s available to Skype, which goes to my Blackberry, and then I rush to a computer.  So I’m totally powerless to get in touch with him.  I end up getting really upset all the time just waiting to hear from him… which has only even happened once!! I really love him and when we’re together we never have problems and are very happy. But I don’t know what to do! Please help! Should I just wait it out and be miserable for the next month? I don’t want to send him anymore nagging emails about it because he says it makes him feel guilty and I can tell it’s not helping.

What should I do?

— Abandoned in the Eastern Time Zone Read More »

Facebook can turn even the most confident girl into a crazy stalker. Whether it’s clicking rapidly through photo albums and tagged pictures or checking out every. single. girl. who posts on your random hook-up’s wall, we’ve all been there. And that’s OK. It’s not like we’re sitting in a windowless van outside someone’s house for hours, watching their every move. No, we’re just reading what they wanted us to read. No privacy settings, no problem!

But while creepin’ on The Book is totes acceptable, there are some things that just aren’t. So if you’re so-bored-you-want-to-die at your summer job, or even if you’re just obsessed with finding out which of your long lost high school peers has gotten knocked up – if you want to keep your creeping under wraps, remember these few things when you go on a stalking expedition. Read More »

I’ll admit it. I’m a sucker for Justin Bieber’s music. And I know I’m not the only one — earlier this month, his “Baby” video became the most watched YouTube video of all time, with over 271 MILLION views to date. There’s just something about his sweetly girlish voice and danceable beats that make his songs infectious.

So Seventeen decided to capitalize on Bieber Fever give their readers what they wanted most — an entire 68-page collector’s issue of the magazine devoted entirely to The Biebs. From a map of his “Tweetest Moments” (including the 14-hour period where, because J. Biebs hadn’t tweeted recently, death rumors emerged) to behind-the-scenes photos and tear-out posters, this issue was all Bieber, all the time.

But it wasn’t all fun and games — this special collector’s issue was informative, too. In a special quiz, I learned that I need a “Bieber-torial” to refresh my knowledge of The Biebs’ favorite color, favorite meal and dream girl. I learned that my fantasy night with Justin would be a candlelit dinner. And I also learned that his fans are CRAZY (Lia from Overland Park, Kansas, has a shrine to Justin in her room, and her parents refer to him as their “future son-in-law”). And Seventeen, as usual, feeds the fire, encouraging its readers that they can stand out by telling The Biebs about their mutual love for the Toronto Maple Leafs and that “getting Justin’s digits is possible.”

As usual, though, the highlight of the issue was a special section devoted to romance: “How to Prep for Your Date with JB.” Because there’s nothing better than encouraging the unrealistic expectations of millions of preteens by feeding into their obsessions. Not to mention the fact that the “essential” items they list (including Mentos — his favorite! — and Softlips Rose Tinted Lip Conditioner) are probably going to see record sales for the next year in fans’ attempts to win his affection. Read More »

Well….uh….erm….that’s weird.

We want these shows back!

Mark Zuckerberg’s got a new job.

Would you wear a pubikini??

An ode to granny panties.

Make your man swoon with one of these recipes.

I’m not gonna lie – after last night’s Bachelorette, I don’t really know what to think. My head is swirling with questions, my heart is hurting.

Why did that episode take a full 2 hours?
How many commercials can they really fit into one episode of a reality show?
How did Ali come from that family?
No seriously – was she adopted?
Milkman’s baby?
WTF?
Why would anyone NOT choose Chris L.?
Should I wear something low-cut in my Bachelor audition tape when I fight to guard and protect his heart be his dream wife?
Do you think he likes girls who don’t have perfect bodies (with super high belly buttons?)

So much to think about, so little time. But what it all comes down to is:
ALI CHOSE ROBERTO? Read More »

What could Justin Bieber possibly have to say?

Would you drink poop coffee?

Wait, Lindsay was using METH?

Lady Gaga performs a controversial show.

Kristen Stewart’s got a message for her haters.

Boycott BP by adjusting your spending.

For many college students, going to a top-rated party school is an honor and a bragging right. Princeton Review, the granddaddy of all rankings, announced today that the University of Georgia is this year’s top party school in the country. Damage control began right away for UGA officials, reminding the country that there is no actual scientific truth behind these rankings and that UGA is a university that strictly enforces the importance of a solid education.

As a Nittany Lion (and 2009/2010 #1 party school attendee) , I honestly couldn’t be happier. Penn State spent all of last year under strict scrutiny because of our Number 1 party school status. I’m sure there are plenty of PSU students talking about how as the new #3 school, we have “work to do,” but maybe they should remember the tragic incident that kicked off the 2009-2010 school year. The “pressure to live up” to these rankings caused one student his life. Sure, every freshman has those nights where they get a little too drunk, and as college students, we idealize these hysterical stories that we tell over Sunday brunch in the dining commons. But these rankings take those crazy nights to a whole new level and don’t only affect a person’s time spent in school, but much, much more.

When I chose to attend Penn State, I made the decision based on our incredible alumni association and the overall environment of Happy Valley. I wanted to be able to walk into a job interview and be proud. Penn State proud. I didn’t want the person sitting on the other side of the desk question whether or not I was capable of handling responsibilities because I went to a school known for beer bongs and keg stands. The authenticity of my GPA shouldn’t be under dispute. I worked my behind off during the week and I enjoy myself on weekends, like any other college student. Read More »