It’s that time of year, when people start packing up their lives to fit into the ridiculously small storage closets they call dorm rooms.  For some of us, we will be heading back to familiar sights and sounds, having already navigated our way through a couple years of school.  For the rest of us, it will be the first time on campus and the start of a much-hyped period in your life: the college years.

There have been several books written to prepare incoming freshman for all the crazy shiz that will go down during their first year of school.  Their relatives, friends, guidance counselors and even complete strangers will also advise them on how to stay healthy in the cafeteria and how to sneak alcohol into their dorm room.

To really be prepared for your freshman year, however, you should get familiar with the people that will surround you on a daily basis.  Will your roommate be a Loner or a Homesick Child?  Will your lab partner be an Athlete/Ultimate Fan and therefore too busy checking on player stats and scores to write the chemistry report with you?  Only time will tell, so you might as well be prepared.

Here’s the 10 types of freshmen you’ll meet on campus:

The Party Boy/Girl

These kids came to college for one reason and one reason only: to partaaaaaaay!  They definitely spent too much time watching exaggerated college movies and are expecting nightly games of beer pong and hot, half-naked coeds everywhere.  They will be somewhat disappointed by the reality, but will make up for it by partying extra hard on the weekends.  Expect them to have converted their closet door into a makeshift beer pong table for their dorm room.  This kid is where the party is and always will be.

The Loner

If this kid didn’t go to class or appear in the dining hall once in a while, no one would know he even existed.  He/she is always on their computer with huge headphones on, completely oblivious to the rest of the world.  You’re not quite sure if you’ve ever heard them speak or seen them sleep, but they got into college somehow, so they must be somewhat intelligent.  In lecture halls, they are usually on a hand-held device or on their laptop, always in the corner or back.  Mad props if you hear this person speak or engage them in conversation or an activity of any kind.

The Homesick Child

They miss their mommies.  They also miss their bedroom, their dog, their siblings, all the home-cooked meals and a plethora of other things.  College is full of strange, unfamiliar things and they don’t like that.  The Homesick Child would rather stay in their dorm room and call/text their parents all day, complaining about everything from the cafeteria food to their roommate who “just doesn’t understand.”  On the plus side, they always seem to be getting care packages from home, so they’ll have cookies to share.

The Honors Geek

You’ll find this person in the library, hard at work finishing homework that’s due three weeks from now.  They’ve already accepted a research position for their favorite professor (whom they read about online before they even got to campus) and they are taking a healthy mix of honors and graduate-level courses.  Honors Geeks rarely have time to socialize outside of their labs or research offices, but they are pretty nice kids (once you get past the social anxiety that usually follows them around).  Maybe if you ask sweetly enough they’ll help you with your calculus homework (they’re guaranteed to have a bad ass calculator)…

The Good Kids Gone Bad

These kids were the ones in high school had had pretty good grades, some good friends, and a very normal life.  They then get to campus and are corrupted by the immediate availability of alcohol, sex, and whatnot.  Suddenly, that good kid you knew from high school is doing body shots off that sorority girl and skipping all his morning classes.  Most recover from their lapse of judgment, but some will continue to degenerate even further.

The Fraternity/Sorority Whore

Her mother was in Kappa Gamma Iota and his father was in Delta Chi Omega (both of those are completely made up, btw), so they will be rushing from the moment they step foot on campus.  They speak constantly about the sister/brotherhood, only wear clothes donning their precious letters, and go completely MIA for weeks due to rushing/pledging/whatever else they do in that giant house of theirs.

The Athlete/Ultimate Fan

This student came on either an athletic scholarship or on the love of your university’s football/basketball/hockey team.  They are the loudest at any sporting event and have been known to paint parts of their body in school colors.  Good luck getting them out of their dorm room on the weekends, because if they don’t have tickets to the game, then they’re gonna park it on their couch in their college colors rooting on the boys.

The Tortured Artist

You’ll be able to identify the Tortured Artists by the sketchbook/DSLR camera/guitar they tote around with them everywhere.  They hated all the droids of high school and the conformist society that surrounded them, so they’re already ingrained with a sense of community loathing.  This will make for awkward conversation in dorm hallways/lecture halls/cafeterias.  However, the Tortured Artist always has something interesting in their room (maybe a still life set up for photography class homework or a naked model for sketching) and they chain smoke like nobody’s business, so if you ever need a cigarette, go to them.

The Hippie Stoner

The Hippie Stoner doesn’t quite know how they got into college, but there’s a bunch of weed here so they’re not complaining.  This dude/chick never seems to leave their room and is always surrounded by a cloud of smoke. Whenever you come by to visit, they invite you in for some video games and invariably offer you some MJ.  Although the Hippie Stoner never attends class, he/she tends to major in Philosophy, Art History or something similarly useless.

The High School Wannabes

These are the people who graduated physically from high school, but haven’t left it mentally.  They still hang with all their high school friends, go home on weekends, and are probably dating someone who actually is in high school.  You’ll probably hear them in the cafeteria or on the phone reminiscing about the “good ‘ole days” back before they graduated.

So it’s a new season and that means new trends on all fronts, including one of my personal faves: handbags!

This season keep your eyes open for some of the usual suspects (oversized bags, clutches and pops of color), some rollover from the fall (fringe) and some new looks (well, not necessarily new, but trends we haven’t seen in a while).

Here are some of the biggest bag trends of spring/summer 2009…

Workin’ on the Chain Gang:
Chain bags are a classic look that are making a huge comeback this season.  From Chanel’s classic chain bag to Prada’s modernized chunky plastic chains, chain bags are all over the place this season.  But, for all you recessionistas out there, it’s not necessary to spend exorbitant amounts of cash to have one of these babies.  There are plenty of reasonably priced options out there if you look in the right places: there are great looks (inspired by designer bags) at  fashionjunkee.com and, as always, Target never fails to offer cute and trendy looks at extremely low prices.

Simply Black & White:
We’re going back to basics this season with simple black & white and it never looked so good.  You can go with any number of styles and prints, but two tone is a fun and simple way to add spunk to your look. You can also brighten it up a bit by having a black & white bag that has a pop of color thrown in.

The Bold and the Beautiful:
As we saw in clothes and shoes this season, brights are all the rage, and bold, bright colors in bags are a great way to add some zazoom to any ensemble. But you don’t want to over-do it; these bags work best when paired with a neutral outfit, not one that is chock full of equally bold and bright elements. Yellows, oranges and blues are best when it comes to bold color palettes for this spring/summer.

They Might Be Giants:
As has been the case for several seasons, oversized bags are super popular.  If you want a great way to carry more than just your lipstick, ID and credit cards when you go out at night, try an oversized clutch.

Shagadelic:
Following in fall’s footsteps, the popular fringe bag is still around. Being that this is a very obvious statement, remember to choose neutrals as they’re bound to last longer and be more versatile.

Dream Weaver:
Spring and summer have a light-hearted and breezy feel and what better way to get that feeling than by carrying a woven bag.  Straw always gives a beachy feel to things, but you can also get a spring look with woven leather in a bright color.

No matter which trend you choose to go with this spring or summer, don’t forget to have fun and keep it LIGHT!

[Every week our style guru takes a celebrity look and breaks it down for you, our poor college fashionista. What does that mean? It means that while the celebrities are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to. All you have to do is click on the goods and - boom - you can buy the entire ensemble. Yes, we know; there is a spot for her in heaven.]

Tie Dye was cool when my mom was my age. Then it was cool again in 7th grade. And let me tell you I tore that trend up. I was just yay shy of deciding that my bat-mitzvah give away should be a tie dyed t-shirt. I LIVED for the days at camp when we would make our own tie-dye. And even though my color palette never turned out quite right (more like murkey brown poo) I still thought I was destined to be a hippie. I rocked tie dye so bright that my eyes hurt just thinking about it.

So when I saw that tie dye was making its 19th comeback, I cringed, I avoided, and I said to myself I wouldn’t wear it.

But then I saw the dresses like the ones on our friends over here, and I saw some really cute ones at Bloomingdales, and Nordstrom and Forever 21 and Urban and, oy, the list goes on. As much as I wanted to fight – kicking and screaming – against the return of tie dye (what’s next? Hypercolor?!) I couldn’t deny the fact that they would look so cute with some woven sandals or high wedges.

The whole tie dye look gives off that “I look cute without even trying” vibe that we all want to convey. And the more I see it, the more I can’t look away. Just like those pictures of Britney’s Britney. (You know what I’m talkin’ about.)

So here is this weeks Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Color Me Tie Dye

The Dress:
Short, long, bright or muted – they all work.

The Shoes:
Flats for a more casual look and wedges for upping the glam factor. I love the look of gold sandals, but any color could work.

The Accessories:
The beauty of this look is that the dress is really the only accessory you need. But, if you wanna add a little more pizazz, a forehead headband, sunglasses and bangles should do the trick.

With the Go Green revolution, a lot of us have been making the effort to protect and preserve our environment: trees, animals, reservations. Hemp jewelry is so in right now and vintage is your new passion, right?

Well, guess who’s more passionate than you are? The Neo-hippie, better known as The Empathetic Activist.

The Empathetic Activist feels the pain of the distressed, whether it is animal, mineral or vegetable. When a mouse-trap is set up in the dorms, he or she will be there to protect the rights of our furry friends. When soda cans are thrown in the cafeteria trash, he or she will be there to lecture their peers on the perils of cans in dumps around the world. When a tree is cut down to expand your campus, he or she is there screaming murder through blurred vision…or at least collecting signatures to stop the madness.

The Empathetic Activist cares, but not about material objects. While we’re all spending what little money we have on a spring break wardrobe, the E.A. is perusing the local consignment/ thrift/ vintage shops while munching on some tofu, as he or she is also most likely vegan/vegetarian. (“Animals have rights too!”) And when your favorite neo-hippie is not purchasing vegan Birkenstocks, you will find him or her working for social consciousness, whether it be through debates and discussions with friends or long and heated monologues during class.

The Empathetic Activist writes for an alternative paper about subjects such as child exploitation, or the effects of racial discrimination in the workplace. He or she has more causes on Facebook than friends, and is constantly updating his or her status to advertise the latest and most pressing issue. Fundraisers are organized, protests are made, and marches are formed!

Admit it or not, the Empathetic Activist will inspire you, if only just a little. You may feel unqualified or ignorant when listening to a discussion about the way “the man” is still active and bringing us down, but you will learn something.

The Empathetic Activist is probably the most open-minded person you will ever meet: he/she is pro-interracial dating, pro-foreign films, pro-culture…pro-a lot of things. They are good people to have around, except when you consider the ones who may also be pro-water conservation. The biweekly shower schedule isn’t always ideal for those around them.

[Photo courtesy of Boomelcha on Flickr.]

Check out my boot picks for fall below; from the low end to the highest end, I got somethin’ for everyone.

(Click on the pics for more info/to add em to your already overstocked shoe collection!):

Over-the-knee boots

This thigh-grazing style has been seen on fashionable celebs like Mischa Barton. The look is very fashion-forward and a bit hard to pull off, but when done right can look amazing. They look best with pants tucked in, not with short skirts or dresses with a short hem, which leave you lookin’ like a hooker.

If you are looking to splurge, check out the Joie boots on the left ($475), or, for the rest of us, the Newport News boot on the right is only $49. Bonus: they have a cool fold-over top so they can be worn two ways.

Buckle boots

Boots with buckles have a cool rocker look that’s a perfect juxtaposition to fall’s hippie inspired clothing – the more buckles, the more badass you’ll look. Look for ones with a mid- to high-heel in black or dark brown. Slouchy or upright both work, but stay away from an over-the-knee silhouette; it’ll look too “I like to ride motorcycles with my mullet-friendly boyfriend.”I especially like these pricey ones from Fiorentini + Baker ($775) on the left, but the cheaper Dollhouse ($83) ones with a low heel and six buckles are fantastic too.

Fringed boots

Fall is all about fringe, from fringe vests to fringe purses to fringe boots. Kate Moss definitely swept in the style by wearing Minnetonka fringe boots last year. You can pick up the same Minnetonka boots as her at Urban Outfitters ($78) or try a higher-end pair from Michael Kors ($465) with five layers of fringe.

Riding boots

Riding-style boots have been in for a while now, so if you haven’t already gotten yourself a pair, it’s definitely time to. Look for ones with buckles over the ankle or laces that end before the calf, and go for a low to flat heel. Thankfully there are tons of great options whether you’re broke or swimming in extra money from the big birthday.The best ones for a super low cost are these flat black ones from Mossimo for Target ($30) on the left. But even those aren’t nearly as fantastic as the uber price ($265) Corso Como ($265) ones on the right. Laces and a buckle? Totally worth the splurge.

Jewel-toned boots

If you’ve always wanted to rock a pair of purple boots but you didn’t think plum on your feet was appropriate, here’s your chance. Rich jewel tones on shoes and purses are perfect for fall. Look for deep purples, reds, blues, and greens in luxurious (or faux lux) suede or leather. Go low heel, high heel, ankle or knee high; it all works. I’m really into these sapphire blue suede ones from L’Autre Chose ($294) and these slouchy Steve Madden ($90) purple suede boots.

Ankle boots

Thank god ankle boots are still in because I’m obsessed with them. My favorites are ones that rise slightly above the ankle and have a platform (very Mary-Kate Olsen), but there are also fabulous flat ones, bootie ones, oxford style ones, granny looking ones, etc, etc, etc. Booties for everyone!

My faves are these affordable studded platform lace-up booties from Colin Stuart ($89) and these curvy grey ones from Ash ($274) with a cute four-button closure.

[For more fall fashion tips, join CollegeCandy's Facebook group!]

Here are the hairstyles you can expect to see all over the place this season. There’s something for everyone, with classic styles all the way up to uber-short or super funky cuts.

Pick what you think will best suit your face and personal style, and show off those gorgeous tresses.

The Bob

The Bob is keeping its steam and can be found on celebrities and fashionistas all over the place; Katie Holmes has defined this cut. There are several different versions of the bob, and it’s popular with or without bangs, so go with what makes you the most comfortable and rock out the hottest hairstyle of 2008.

The Crop/Pixie Cut

Short, short hair is back thanks to celebs like Rihanna and Victoria Beckham. If you’ve got the guts to go with this style, you gotta go all the way with a crop that stands out. Whether it’s spikes or sleek bangs, give it something that really pops and tells the world you’re not afraid to take risks.

Bangs/Fringe

Seen on the likes of Heidi Klum, bangs/fringe remains popular and are a great way to add some spunk to a long ‘do. But don’t shy away from em if you have short hair, ladies; and they’re darling on shorter styles as well.

Long Hair: All One Length

Hate trying to grow out layers? Have no fear, the hippie look of flowing tresses all cut to the same length is making a return this season.

Long Hair: Face Framing Layers

But if you’re still into those face-framing layers, you don’t have to grow em out; they’re still as popular as ever.

Messy, High Up-Dos

A fan of the classic look of buns or chignons, but wanna give it a little twist? Wearing them at the crown or even the very top of your head gives it a more fun, fresh and carefree look that was seen all over the runways this season. If you want a more romantic, soft look, let a few strands fall loosely around your face.

Putting a Twist on the Old French Twist

This classic updo is back in a major way, but with a few changes. Putting a modern edge on this feminine look, the new takes on it include disheveled twists, side twists and pseudo-beehive twists worn either sleek or with loose, flirty tendrils. The key to keeping it together is a whole lotta strong-hold hairspray, bobby pins… and patience.

Sleek Hair

Taking a cue from ballerinas: the loose ponies and buns of late are being replaced by sleek, slicked back looks.

Braids

Another throw-back to the 70’s, braids (of all types) are back. One of the most popular is the braid that goes from the front of the head around the side. Celebs from Mary Kate Olsen to Anne Hathaway have been seen in this look. (Note: this is a great way to hide that greasy hair you didn’t have time to wash before class…)

Once upon a time, I dated one guy for a long time. But instead of living happily ever after with me, he woke up one day and decided he wanted to “go through an asshole phase” (his words, not mine). After dumping me and proceeding to flirt and hook up with a lot of mutual friends, my once-love promptly forgot all about his sappy promises of “forever” and pretended we had never met.

You could say I was heartbroken.

Because I had always been “a good girl,” I hadn’t really dated around before the Ex, and was pretty flabbergasted at the entire dating process. Plus, I was grieving like some kind of Victorian widow in black and wasn’t thinking straight. Additionally, I was going out and drinking a little more — even though I was completely conscious of the fact that drinking a little more was going to make me cry a little more come hangover time. All of those factors combined meant that I decided my only life choice was to do what all my friends were doing: hooking up with random dudes because I could.

It took me a while to get a lay of the land (haha. Get it?), but after a few stumbles into emotional territory — haven’t you heard? Emotions don’t belong in hook-ups — I totally got the hang of it: meet a guy, make it obvious you’re easy going, be physical early, and then convince him to sleep with you after 1 or 2 dates. Guys are very easily convinced, and playing up my free-spiritedness made it easy for me to seem totally okay with everything. Even though, in the back of my wound-up mind, whenever the guy was snoring too loudly or fumbling around like an idiot, I would fear that I was not made for random hook-ups, I kept at it.

Because everyone was doing it. I’d hear stories and see things on TV and decide time and time again that the whole world was hooking up. This is what new feminism was; taking back your sexual power, doing it because you could, making sure guys didn’t have all the fun.

It’s not like I went crazy, but after a few years I had to use two hands to count the amount of people I had slept with, and for awhile, that was a sense of pride. I had successfully thrown off my clammy good-girlness and had become a woman! …or something.

But always this sense, this weird, little mosquito of a thought, would be buzzing around my brain. I refused to listen to it because I already knew what it was saying and I really didn’t want to hear. This is not what you want…it buzzed whenever I turned over and realized the person next to me was not very attractive, or even cool. This is annoying and not fun and you don’t need this in your life…it buzzed when a guy would become too attached and I knew I was probably going to hurt him. Honestly, whoever this is, it’s not you.

It took me three years to take the earplugs out. Three years to admit the truth. Of course that wasn’t me. Sex is great and I dig it a lot but I’m an independent person – I don’t need the extra awkwardness of a guy I don’t know or even like attached to my hip. I never needed it. What I was looking for was someone to love, and each month, 6 months, year that it didn’t happen…I decided that something had to fill that void. Even if they filled it with bad jokes and boring conversation.

So even though I knew it all along, I decided to admit it to myself last night: I regret almost every guy I hooked up with. I learned things about myself for sure, I learned a good amount about human behavior, but I don’t think I needed an STD scare and a bunch of awkward goodbyes to learn those things, either.

Because no matter how much I cringe, these events are still part of my life, and I’ve allowed myself to become a better, more confident person through them – which is why I’m not crusading against random hook-ups. They can be positive experiences. They can be fun. But letting society or guilt or revenge push you to have them? Take my advice: it’ll never work the way you want it to work, and it’ll never feel the way you want it to feel.

There’s nothing wrong with having fun and loving your sexual side. Love it all day long. But always listen to that little buzzing in your brain. It’s just trying to make sure you treat yourself the way you deserve to be treated.

I’ve been spending a lot of time at music festivals this summer, like waaay more than anyone who isn’t obsessed with Jerry Garcia and The Electric Kool Aid Acid Test should, so I have run into a few very interesting characters, to say the least.

Now, I’m not saying that I’m not a whole fan of the hippie lifestyle. I’m extremely liberal and I love me some tye dye & hemp necklaces & moonshine just as much as the next chick. I just prefer to have clean underwear and hair that smells more like strawberries than Mary Jane. But the one thing I have never found appealing are the dreadlocked, banjo-playing, I-ate-way-too-many-mushrooms-once kind of crazies you run into at festivals – who basically live and breathe the whole scene.

I have a best friend; however, who is notorious for falling in lurrrve with every boy who writes her a sonnet and accompanies on his harmonica or enchants her with stories of touring with The String Cheese Incident. She’s a sucker, that’s for sure. I always wondered: How is it humanly possible that my friend who is gorgeous, intelligent & about to graduate with a B.A. going to seriously consider dating someone who is jobless, degree-less and (presumably) showerless?

This is especially hard for me to grasp as I am on the complete opposite end of the scumbag spectrum: I won’t give a guy a second glance if he isn’t enrolled in at least 16 semester hours, working his ass off at the local pizza shop to pay rent AND already completing or is planning to complete an internship in his chosen field (that would preferably be law, medicine or business) in the very near future.

Picky? Maybe. But I feel that if I’m gonna marry, or at the very least have some kind of future with someone, I want him to be at my “level” or above. Ya feel me? Leave the losers for the high school girls.

But, as I sat down to write this, I realized that perhaps, I am being a wee bit too judgmental. Isn’t it more important that the guy love and respect me – regardless of whether he is going to grad school or will be offered a fabulous job after college? Isn’t it possible to be happily married to a man who never slaved his way through four years of Shakespeare, lectures on the Industrial Revolution and quadratic equations?

I think the answer is: YES. It’s kind of a weird concept for me to wrap my hungover brain around, but I think there are actually some things more important in life than status and money. I see now, that the reason my BFF falls for these weirdos is because they are happy with who they are and are obviously extremely passionate about the way they live. What does all that money and power mean if you aren’t content? What does a degree actually do for you if you have no real sense of purpose? Absolutely nothing.

I wanted to write some story about how we as women should ditch all these loser scumbags with no jobs and no future plans in favor of the stud muffins in our Economics classes who will be makin’ six figures ten years down the road. Okay, I still suggest that. But I also want to make it known that not everybody has to go to college, or have a sweet job handed to them on a silver platter to make a potentially good boyfriend/fiancé/husband/life-long partner. In fact, you might even find that these guys have more drive and desire to get what they actually want out of life than the dude who was forced into college by his crazy father who is trying to live vicariously through him.

So next time a dude who tells me he’s living with his grandma and had to drop out last semester/quit his job at the local pizza shop/will probably never go back to school asks me on a date, I MIGHT consider saying yes.

As long as he plays the harmonica.

The Last Unicorn

I heart this move hardcore. I watched it every single day for three weeks at the age of 8, and I'm still convinced it's one of the best animated movies ever. It's got a bunch of familiar voices, a soundtrack by the fantastic 70's crooners America, and an Existential storyline that is so not for children. Here's the first 9 minutes of the movie. If you haven't seen this shiz, Netflix it immediately.

Cupcake Recipes!

Anthropologie

If you're a stylish hippie girl at heart, this store is kind of like Heaven. Is most of the clothing too expensive? Yes. But is it all beautiful, easy to wear, and long lasting? Yup. I make a point of sifting through their Sales on a weekly basis.

Pumpkin Spice Flax Kashi Granola Bars

I know. It sounds like it's gonna taste like cardboard, but trust me, these bars are healthy with the added benefit of tasting fantastic. Next time you're in the grocery store, pick up a box, and stow it in your purse for a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack. Eating is good, but eating natural is even better.

Lolita

I can never recommend this book enough. It's got everything one could ever ask for in literary fiction, and Nabokov is genuinely hilarious. It's the Thinking Girl's beach read.

John and Kate Plus 8

Look, if you think kids are cute, and like watching truly normal people deal with a sh*tload of them, then this show is for you. I know it's on TLC and I know it's Reality TV, but it's really one of the most entertaining things out there. I couldn't really tell you why.

]]>