President Obama is a better singer than Mitt Romney.

Why you should get dressed everyday.

Celebrity kids are always the cutest.

These three actors are so pretty together.

So what is happening over at “the X Factor”?

Box clutches: Cute… or not?

Amber Rose got a face tattoo.

Neil Patrick Harris is un-Punk-able.

Let’s all get ready for the Superbowl food.

A new year, a new semester, a new slate. Sounds pretty great, right? There’s no reason why you shouldn’t seize the day and prepare to have the best semester of your college life! Plus, you know what they say — it’s easier to start off on the right foot than it is to change course later on. In the spirit of good habits and even better grades, we’ve pulled together a list of the academic resolutions we should all be making this January. It really is all about adapting a few small, simple changes to your lifestyle…talk about an easy-A!

initiating the gallery...

It’s that time of year where we all take stock of our lives, realize we’re hot messes and resolve to change our behavior…for about two weeks. Because while eating healthier, working out more and generally being a more mature person are worthy aspirations that we should all work towards, we would be remiss if we failed to acknowledge that our sex lives could always use a little work. Whether you’re having sex daily, every six months or not at all, with a long-term partner, a FWB, or a one night stand, there is always room to grow and have better experiences.  I mean, if the apocalypse or whatever really is next December, I need to go out knowing that I had the sexiest year to date, so next year, I want to do the following…

1. Stop feeling guilty about my preferences.
Sometimes I’m not in the mood. Sometimes I don’t want to be on top. Sometimes I just want to lay there and enjoy it. Sometimes I want Rihanna playing in the background. It’s totally okay for me to be selfish sometimes, because while, yes, pleasing my partner is important, so is taking my own pleasure into account. This is definitely a balancing act I don’t have down yet.

2. Take advantage of my balcony. 
It would be absolutely criminal to not take an opportunity to have a romantic romp or a tawdry quickie on my private, 18th floor balcony.

3. Try some of the Kama Sutra
I’ve never really been interested in it because I always associated it with bored middle-aged people desperate to revitalize their long-dormant sex lives (ie: not at all arousing). But there must be a reason why this tradition has endured thousands of years.

4. Explore sex toys.
I finally procured my first vibrator this year, but I have yet to be inspired to use it. But I’m definitely interested in trying to enjoy masturbation, and this is the next step that I plan to take.

5. Stop comparing myself to porn stars. 
Occasionally I watch porn with the boytoy, and while occasionally I am inspired to try something new, many times I find myself in a serious inferiority matrix and I start beating myself up for not being as aggressive, or enthusiastic, or as capable as the women in the pornos. I know this is completely irrational – even the “amateurs” are professionals, and I know that I do the best that I can, and am objectively pretty good at it,  but I still find myself getting bummed out about it, and it’s not at all productive.

6. Have fun.
If you regularly read my column, you may have picked up on the fact that I can get really caught up in the political aspect of fornication — the gender roles,  society’s general sex-negativity, all the ways in which sex can go wrong — which sometimes I forget to relax and just enjoy the fact that I am regularly have safe, consensual sex with someone who cares about and respects me.

What are your sexy New Year’s resolutions for 2012?

By now, January 1^st, 2011 seems like a century ago. I mean, just think about how much has happened – good and bad – in the last five months.  Do you remember those little resolutions you made way back when? You know, when you were feeling optimistic and empowered and you were ready to change your life in 2011? Yeah, you probably gave up on them a long time ago.

And I’m here to get you back on track.

Now, I’m not talking about the resolutions like, “I promise to never drunk text my ex ever again.” Ladies, I’m not some magician here! (And really, who thought that was going to happen? Come on – get realistic!) I’m talking about the first month when you were able to get yourself out of bed at 7 AM, head to spin class and arrive in your Political Science class feeling like a super star. Remember all of that excitement and motivation you had? Where did that go?

If you stopped working out or leading a healthier lifestyle, ask yourself why. Did you get too busy? Did the routine bore you? Pinpoint the exact moment when you stopped sticking to your resolutions and then make a change for the better.

When it comes to fitness resolutions, it’s hard to stick to every little detail. There are days when you may feel tired, a date comes up, or you find any excuse (“Judge Judy is on!”) to justify yourself. But that’s only hindering you, and while it may seem easier to just give up sometimes, sticking to a plan to reach your goal isn’t as hard as you think.

To get the results you want, stop thinking about the “why nots” and start thinking about the “whys.” For example, tell me why you would want to push yourself to do an extra set of planks. It’s just an extra 30 seconds and comes with some amazing long-term benefits: you’re building stamina, discipline and, most obviously, a sexy six pack! Does it hurt when you’re doing it? Sure. Would you rather be lying on the floor polishing off a row of Oreo’s? Probably, but focus on the positive and you’ll remember why you set this goal in the first place.

One other easy thing to do is change your mindset. Look, you don’t have to hit the gym for 2 hours at a time or run a 10k every time you lace up your sneakers. All you have to do is start somewhere, give it 100% and finish strong. Even if you’re working out for a mere 20 minutes, make it the best 20 minutes ever. At the end of the day, 20 minutes is way less daunting and way more beneficial than doing nothing at all.

Stuck in a rut? Check out my workouts here!

If you want to get back on track, just start with a game plan and a strong mind and you’ll be on your way. We’ve got another 7 months of 2011; that’s plenty of time to res-set and reach our goals.

OK, time to sound off! What fitness resolutions did you set? Have you stuck with them? Most importantly, give me your whys! What is it that motivates you to stay fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle? I want to know (and we all need a little reminder)!

So her are my totally dope freshman year resolutions:

- I will become more globally aware: You guys, I know some of us (me included) set New York Times as our homepage and then, as soon as we get on the internet, our eyes glaze over at the mention of any word like “security” or “Iraq” and then we’re just like “Whateva,” and read Perez instead. Totally guilty of this. However, knowing your current global events is kind of a big deal—you always have an intelligent conversation topic to keep in your back pocket and you gain so much perspective on your own life—just how good you have it, and just how much plight really is out there. It’s easy to ignore it, but this year, I will dive into it.

- I will keep up appearances: I think I’m getting better at this overall, but this next year especially, I am vowing to stay away from the sweatpants and the not-washing-my-face-before-bed-because-I’m-too-tired excuse. Looking good helps me to access my swagger, both while doing Spanish homework and shaking my thang on the dance floor. Plus, looking good makes an impact on anyone around you—just see how intense (read: AWESOME) UBS’s dress code is for their employees in Switzerland!

- I will volunteer more: My school is in the middle of a city. Volunteer opportunities are all around me, and it’s not like I don’t have time to help out anywhere. I was so overwhelmed first semester that I didn’t really do anything and I feel like a lump of horse poop because of it. No more of that, ladies and gentleman; I will give back to the community this semester.

- I will get a job: Let’s be honest, I just need the ca$h money. Cute outfits don’t grow on trees, you know.

- I will phase out some freshman awkwardness: Whenever I’m “new,” social awkwardness is totally my thing. Sometimes I just have no idea what to say, and then I freak out that people will think I’m too serious, or too raunchy, or too whatever, and then I have even less of an idea what to say. It’s tragic, really. I need to start working harder to phase that out.

More than anything though, my brother’s friend, Time magazine writer Ishaan Tharoor, gave me ballin’ advice: Always be busy. And so that is my ultimate goal. No more floundering and loafing around for me. To (sorta) quote Disney’s Mulan—Let’s get down to business y’all.

I will not talk to my ex. Unless if it’s birthday….or our anniversary…or a Friday night….right? Then it’s only polite to give him a call.

I will not procrastinate studying. Except when there is something way more important going on, like eavesdropping on my roommate’s conversation with her mom. Fascinating stuff.

I will limit partying to once a week. As long as we all agree not to count Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and “special occasions.”

I will go to lecture everyday. Minus days when the weather is bad. Oh and days when I feel under the weather. Or also, I guess, on days when Weather.com says there’s more than a 10% chance of rain.

I will save more money. Unless there is an emergency, like when that amazing pair of shoes is about to get snatched up by an evil, skinny girl with perfect hair. Then it’s just a matter of doing the right thing.

I will not eat candy. Before the dentist. Like the day before I go to the dentist, I will not eat candy.

I will work out every day. But I’ll also expand the definition of work out to include any physical movement. Like bed to couch to kitchen to couch to bathroom to couch.

I will not drink soda. Except when I need a chaser or a mixer or a shot of caffeine.

I will not check Facebook more than once a day. Unless someone tagged really bad photos. Then I really have no choice but to sign on. My dignity is at stake!

Am I alone in feeling like New Year’s Resolutions are always the same?  You want to lose weight, you decide to keep on top of your class readings…maybe you’re going to take up a new hobby or find a boyfriend.  Yaaaaaawn!  I think this year you, and the rest of humanity, should take on some serious resolutions.  Like Oprah-sized resolutions.  Ones that will positively impact society throughout the year, and hopefully for years to come.

Need a little help thinking of something that’s more charitable than you trying to fit back into your pre-college skinny jeans?  Well, you’re in luck because I’ve come up with this little list of suggestions…

Boycott Ke$ha
A relatively simple move that can only have positive ramifications for future generations and any alien life forms who travel to our world light years from now.  How would you like your child (or some little green dude) picking up a CD made by someone with a dollar sign in her name and listen to a track like “Party at a Rich Dude’s House”?  They would actually think that you and everyone you knew actually listened to and liked a girl with hair extensions and crack eyes.  Now, we can’t be having that.

Give Freshmen a Shot
At getting in your panties, at getting to the keg, at getting a chance to speak in class.  Whatever it may be, try not to forget the younger people.  You were once in their position, too.  New on campus, unsure of the social hierarchy of frat parties, always on-time with your assignments, often ignored by everyone of legal drinking age.  Make someone’s dreams come true this spring.  And remember, stealing some little dude’s virginity is a good deed.

Petition to Get a Pinkberry on Every Corner
Seriously, have you ever eaten this swirly goodness?  Have you had the privilege of selecting your own toppings and devouring a giant cup of low-fat possibly-yogurt with zero guilt?  Do you have your frequent customer punch card!?  Girlfriend, you’re missing out.

Convince MTV to Stop Giving Pregnant 16 Year-Olds Television Shows
So you’re a hobag who f*cked someone’s cousin in the bathroom at Lisa Masterson’s Sweet Sixteen party.  I guess condoms weren’t part of the goody bag, because nine months later you’ve got a kid and a baby daddy.  Should you stress?  In a normal world, yes.  But in the crazy reality-TV society we live in, you get a massive payday and D-List celebrity stardom.  Ummm…can we just do something to fix this, please?

Attempt to Become Less Dependent on Facebook
Get that look off your face, I said “attempt”.  You don’t need to quit your status updates and newsfeed refreshes cold turkey, but maybe we could possibly, all together, try to spend a teeny-tiny little bit less time on Facebook.  It would be baby steps.  But think about how much better life could be if you actually get out and enjoy your friends IRL (that’s “in real life”).

Wear Jeans at Least Once a Week
Yeah, we know it’s all about hangover comfort when it comes to class couture. But it won’t kill you to once in a while throw on a pair of jeans during the week. It will instantly make you feel more mature and more ready to start the day. Oh and you’ll also be able to avoid the spring break squeeze because you’ll feel it right away when that zipper starts acting up when it comes to zipping it up.

The Textaholic. The movie you’ve been dying to see for weeks now is about to begin and the message comes up on the screen reminding everyone to turn off their cell phones.  The movie starts and as you’re trying to enjoy Jacob’s shirtless bod in Twilight, you’re interrupted by the constant sound of clicking coming from behind you.  It’s two hours tops, people— put the phone away!  If something is really that important, take it outside.

Resolution: Texting Support Group. Enough said.

The Stinker. It may be your best friend or maybe even some random guy in line in a store, but either way— they stink.  Unfortunately, they are so used to their extreme body odor by now that they don’t even notice it anymore.  People may have even told them and they still refuse to jump in the shower once every few weeks.

Resolution: Febreze isn’t just for your mildewy apartment anymore….

The “Do You Like Seafood” Eater. I love to eat and I’m sure a lot of other people do too.  The thing I don’t like about eating is when I’m with someone else and they shovel food into their mouth, start talking, and their food ends up on my plate.  Sorry, do I look like a baby bird that enjoys eating pre-chewed food? No.

Resolution: Ever heard of an etiquette class? Sign ‘em up! And if that doesn’t work, getting a table for 6 when it’s just the two of you and sitting at the other end should send the message loud and clear.

The Less-Than Stellar Roommate. They sound like a wildebeest when they snore, leave sandwiches with living things starting to grow on them under the couch, and make you listen to lovely animal-like grunts coming through the walls (or better yet, across the room in a dorm) when you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep.

Resolution: Two words: Air horn. And I would also highly suggest purchasing ear plugs unless you feel like learning to enjoy noises straight out of the Discovery Channel.

The Attention Whore. Do you know someone that constantly needs all eyes on them 24/7 and expects everyone to drop what they’re doing and focus on them and only them the second they enter a room?  We all do.  Sadly, some people need a wake-up call to realize the world doesn’t always revolve around them.

Resolution: Don’t acknowledge them every second that they expect you to.  After awhile of this, they might have a revelation and suddenly discover that other people in the room may have things to say too! Crazy, I know.

The Creeper. Sometimes it’s hard to resist the urge to stare at people (especially if it’s a cute boy) while you’re hanging out at the mall, or anywhere for that matter. I have to admit, I’m an avid people-watcher myself, but sometimes it gets a little creepy.  Especially if there’s an old man sitting across from you that wouldn’t turn his head away if his life depended on it.

Resolution: Stare back! With big eyes. If he likes it, run away.

The Gossip Girl. She spreads rumors and tells secrets she’s supposed to keep to herself.  There’s nothing more annoying then someone who thrives on causing drama and on top of that, loves every second of making other people’s lives miserable in the process.

Resolution: Give her a taste of her own medicine. I’m not saying go spread around that she’s pregnant with a criminal’s child…but you catch my drift.

The Borrower. One of the best parts about having friends is being able to borrow cute clothes from them.  When someone borrows something, it’s expected that it’ll get returned, but there are always those people who keep “forgetting” that they have something of yours and only give it back when you go fetch it yourself.  And you usually have to rip it out of their dead, lifeless grip.

Resolution: “Borrow” their stuff….and accidentally spill red wine on it. Woops!

The New Year should be full of lots of surprises and lots of fun people.  What are some other annoying people that need a kick in the butt for 2011?

Why summer?
Why not?

Summer’s a great time to get a new start. Everything’s changing, whether you’re in the big city for an internship, at school taking classes or at home big chilling; its a change of scenery and provides the perfect media for which to mold the new you.

My theory on resolutions shouldn’t be to change yourself. You are who you are for a reason and trying to do a complete 180 is just setting yourself up for disaster. However, making improvements to certain aspects or changing certain habits which are detrimental to yourself or others can certainly be the positive change you’re looking for. Three great things to keep in mind while you’re brainstorming the perfect summer resolution:

1. Your lifestyle. If you have a 9-5 job, promising yourself you’re going to get up at 5am to run every morning might not be practical. And if you want to make a change, you must be practical in what you want to change.

2. Your niche. If you’re babysitting, maybe giving up pb&j isn’t a great idea, or apple juice for that matter. If you live with a bunch of fast-food junkies, giving up trans-fats and other unhealthy food will be an extra challenge. Try to make sure your situation lends itself to helping you out rather than hindering your progress.

3. The world. This isn’t meant to be dramatic, but many times changing something simple about yourself can make a large impact in your life. Driving less helps you get a great workout and save the environment. Watching less TV makes you more social and saves energy! The possibilities are endless.

This summer I want to channel my inner hippie. I want to buy more organic, worry less and recycle everything like its my job. These are just three simple things that will help me (and the environment!) to be happier and healthier. I barely have to change my current lifestyle to make huge strides, but that’s the best kind of resolution, right? I want to do something realistic that I can keep.

For this resolution, I see summer as the perfect time to start. It caters to the season (who doesn’t love locally grown, organic fruit?) and with my new job/class/apartment, it gives me a clean slate. My empty refrigerator provides the perfect home for my new purchases and it allows me a platform to make sure I don’t stray from my goal. With a new apartment, I am also offered an opportunity to worry less about the little things and buy a recycling bin!

In summers past I’ve tried drinking less coffee, running more, spending more time at home, less time on my Crackberry, Less facebook, more friend time, planning outfits out the night before and about every other menial self-improvement idea I could come up with. Some have worked (running more is easy on a gorgeous summer day) and some haven’t (less Facebook? Who am I kidding?), but kicking them all off in the summer allowed me the time, attention and energy they all deserved.

So now it’s time for you to get your summer resolutions on.
What’s it going to be for you?

Except most resolutions get tossed out the window by February, leaving the resolutioner in the same exact place they were one year before. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are lots of ways to ensure you stick to your goals, one of them being accountability. Simply sharing your resolution with others so you have someone there watching you along the journey will help keep you strong.

So that’s what we’re gonna do. Three CollegeCandy writers have agreed to share their big resolutions for 2010 and document their quest to success. Every month we’re going to check in on them to see how they’re doing and keep them motivated to complete the goals they set for themselves.

Did you make a resolution? Do you want help keeping it? Come along for the ride each month and share your ups and downs in the comments section below. If we all work together we can be happier, thinner, stronger, smarter, richer, whatever-you-want-er come 2011.

Brittany: Happiness

New Year’s Resolutions scare me. No, they really do.  The minute I want to be a good person and lose 20 pounds, I have dreams about blueberry muffin mountains and an ocean full of margaritas.  Please tell me I am not the only one. On this account, I have decided to tackle my resolution at a different angle this year: by simply, being happy.  And there is a little equation I have come up with to help myself through, and it is actually fun!

My new resolution is: When I wake up in the morning, ask myself “What is it that you would really want to do today?” And do it. Every day.  It doesn’t need to be climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, or to learn the 5th symphony on the piano.  It can be easy as telling someone how I really feel, or going on a drive simply to have a mini-concert in my car starring me, myself, and I.  I should just do it. So that’s my plan for 2010. To be happy. Follow me on my journey and maybe we can all have a happier future.

Sara: Marathon

Running is more than just a hobby for me: since I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2008, it regulates my stress and helps keep my digestive system in order. Before my diagnosis I was sick nearly every day, with very little energy and without passion to do the things I love. Once I changed my diet and started running seriously, I’ve been symptom-free and, well, really happy! (Runner’s high is real, I’m telling you!) That’s why my New Year’s resolution is to maintain a running goal (really, a dream) I’ve had for years: to finish the New York City Marathon in under 4 hours, something I thought was impossible when I was ill.

This is a resolution two years in the making; I spent the last year qualifying for this year’s 26.2 mile race, which takes place on November 7. Until then, I will be running a half-marathon in each borough of New York City, to maintain my fitness and aid in the marathon training. Over the next few months, I’ll be reporting back to CollegeCandy on my progress and race results, all while trying to stay injury-free. Who knows, maybe I can convince you to try distance running!

Lauren: Fit Into My Old Jeans

I’ve put on about 15 pounds in the past two years. It came on slowly so I barely saw it happening, but it came on nonetheless. And now I see it. Jiggling back at me in the mirror. So my resolution for this year is to stop letting the little things (a cookie here, a half pizza there) slide and finally get my weight back down to its happier place. I have all the tools to do it – the gym membership, the healthy food, the knowledge. And now I’ve got the fire under my (larger) ass to make this happen for myself.

I want to go back to the days when I felt good in my clothes… and when I could sit down without a giant muffin top pouring out. I want to feel healthy. I want to feel proud. I want to feel sexy and happy and content. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve been the happiest I’ve ever been in my life these past two years. But somewhere I let myself go and now is the time to fit the last piece in the puzzle (…and fit these thighs into my favorite jeans). I’m motivated and I’m ready to be my bad-ass, healthy self in 2010. Let’s see how this goes.