During winter break, I had the chance to talk to my best friend, who is more like my long-lost twin. In high school we used to spend hours in the morning with hair, makeup, and putting together outfits. While this made me late 60% of the time (and her 100% of the time), we loved it. Now that we are at different colleges and not making each other late in the morning, she asked me, “Do you still get dressed up for class now?”

Uhhh, duh? I mean if I could do it at 6 am, why can’t I do it now when I wake up at 8 am or later? She confessed to me that she has given up on looking stylish for class. How dare she?!?!

Okay, I get it. I have had a few ‘bum’ days too. And she is in a sorority, so at night she has to be dressed to the nines to attend a social or a party, so she gets some slack during the day. However, don’t for a second think she looks like a homeless person going to class.  Smart girls can use ten minutes to look great before they have to be anywhere.

So after consulting some of my ever-gorgeous friends and us some of my ever-gorgeous friends and using my own knowledge, here are my tips for looking great even though you just rolled out of bed.

I’m going to assume you stay up all night like most college students, so take five minutes to put together an outfit for the next day. When you don’t have to dig for clothes things go a lot faster.

This can work for your hair too; straighten it at night so you don’t have to do the staple messy bun on top of head look.

Change your definition of “bumming it”.Most people think this means baggy sweats, hoodie, and Uggs. So basically you look like a snowman with no shape. Ugh.

You can be comfortable without looking like crap! Leggings are just as comfy as sweats, and pair it with a long cardigan/sweater and you instantly look more put together. Yoga pants look tremendously better than big sweats. My favorite look is a long, belted cardigan, a warm scarf, and leggings.

Mix and match pieces: Clothes that can be worn in many different ways are awesome. You don’t even have to think about putting outfits together because they already go together well. A good pair of jeans, leggings, basic tees, neutral sweaters, and a brown/black boot can be incorporated with almost anything you already have in your closet. You can close your eyes, reach into your closet, and come out looking good!

Awesome Accessories: Have some statement jewels to amp up your outfits and instantly add style. Long necklaces, chandelier earrings, bangles, unique scarves, cocktail rings and more can go with basic outfits to make them more trendy and look like you took time to get dressed.

Strategize your Hair and Makeup: If you just roll out of bed, I’m assuming you have some dark circles. Purple is a great color, but not underneath your eyes. Use your time wisely and conceal the trouble spots, add a coat of mascara, and a swipe of bronzer. This makes you look healthy and more wide awake. One tip I love is applying a white, shimmery shade to the inner corner of your eye- this makes you look wide-eyed and bright.  A friend of mine wears very minimal make up, but she always does a thick line of eye liner just to her top lid. I love this look on her, because it makes her eyes the focal point and is super quick. Stock your book bag with a few lip glosses so you can apply that while you are walking to class, and instantly you look refreshed.

Your hair might look like a rat’s nest in the morning, but know your go-to quick styles that can be used to tame the beast. I love spin pins by Goody- they let me create a quick bun. This can hide kinky/frizzy hair. I’m a fan of the sleek Kim Kardashian pony tail when my roots are a little greasy. For bangs that just won’t cooperate, simply grab a couple bobby pins and twist them back.

Those are the tips I live by when I have no inspiration or motivation. They haven’t failed me yet! Good luck girls, and if you were thinking about getting me anything for Christmas, just burn your ratty size XL sweat pants and we’ll call it even.

Maura is a freshman at Rider University and loves chocolate, cheesy wedding T.V. shows, writing, fashion, and playing with her overweight (but adorable) Pomeranian. When she isn’t at class or sleeping, you can catch her on twitter @maurahilgar.

It’s finals week. You’re living on coffee and chocolate. Your days are spent in the library. Your nights are spent in the library. You’re wracking your brain trying to remember historical facts no one knows about and chemical equations you will never use. You’re stressed and crazed and far from in the mood to write. But write you will have to do.

Because in exchange for not having to take a final for that literature class you have to write a paper. And not just any paper, but a good paper. A really good paper. Because this paper is worth a large chunk of your final grade. The problem is though, you’ve never really gotten a grip on that whole paper writing thing. Sure, you know the basics, but do you know the specifics? Do you know how to avoid the mistakes that will keep that A just out of reach?

Well, I do.

After four years as an English major, one year as a literature tutor, and two semesters worth of thesis writing, I think I’ve cracked the code. And I’m going to share my secrets with you. Below are the most common grammatical and paper writing mistakes, the things you always miss, the things you need to know, the rules standing between you and that elusive A. So bookmark this page and consult it when writing those final papers. You’ll thank me later.

1. No thesis statements.

Don’t even think about starting your paper until you have one of these. Your thesis statement is the entire point behind your paper. It’s the reason you’re writing your paper. It’s the idea that you are trying to prove. You can’t write a paper without a thesis statement. If you do your paper will have no focus. At all.

2. Confusing they’re/there/their.

Let’s clear up the confusion behind this one, shall we?

They’re is a contraction, used in place of the phrase “they are.” Did you hear about Justin and Selena? They’re going out.

There is used to represent a place. Where are Kourtney and Khloe? Over there at the bar.

Their is used to show possession of something. Who are the parents of baby Suri? Tom and Katie. She is their baby.

3. Not proving your point.

Once you have a thesis statement, something you want to prove, you actually have to prove it. So don’t just throw a whole bunch of important sounding information on a page and call it a day. That information has to be both useful and relevant. Before you dedicate a paragraph to something ask yourself, will this help me prove my thesis?

4. Mixing up affect and effect.

Affect is used when actions are affecting someone. My mental stability is far too affected by the lives of celebrities. Effect is used when one is talking about the effects of a situation. I’m still feeling the effects of Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds breakup.

5. Not using transition sentences.

When you move from paragraph to paragraph don’t just jump into a new topic. Yes, the first sentence is a topic sentence, but it also the closing of your last topic. So the first sentence of your new paragraph should do both. That’s why it’s a transition sentence. Transition words (however, nonetheless, on the contrary) are really helpful here.

6. Using the wrong than/then.

Here’s the deal.

If you’re writing about time or order you use then. Then Brad dumped Jen and got with Angelina.

If you’re comparing or contrasting you use than. I think Angelina is way prettier than Jen any way.

7. Using personal pronouns.

Do not use I. Do not use me. Don’t use us or we or we’re. Personal pronouns are a big no-no in formal papers. You are a detached voice relaying information, not a particular person sharing your beliefs.

8.Using double negatives.

This one is guaranteed to make your professor cringe every single time. You cannot use more than one negative in a sentence. That means you cannot say Ronnie didn’t do nothing. Rather you would say, Ronnie didn’t do anything.

9. Not citing your sources!

Whether you’re quoting Spark Notes or the Norton Anthology cite your sources. If you don’t it’s plagiarism, even if you don’t mean for it to be. So cite your sources. But do so correctly. First you have to find out what format your professor wants you to use. If you’re taking an English class it’s probably MLA. Find out which one you need to use and then check the guidelines.

10. Its/It’s.

It’s is a contraction. It represents “it is” or “it has.” It is very nice to meet you Leo. I loved you in Inception.

Its represents the possession of something, sort of like a gender neutral his or her. Look at the cute puppy cuddling with its mother.

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On any given day here at OU, I’d bet at least 60% of students are rocking The North Face, Columbia or Patagonia (“Fratagonia”, as some might say) outerwear. Perhaps it’s a southern or midwestern cliche, but literally EVERYONE I know owns a zippered or pull-over fleece jacket. And I’m betting many of you probably own one, too. (Admit it!)

As popular as they are, jackets like these are often negatively associated with “the uniform”, as I like to call it. You know, the Uggs/leggings/oversized V-neck/fleece jacket combo that is popular at countless colleges across the nation. While I’m not saying it’s “wrong” to dress this way, why not challenge yourself to think outside the box and rock a more unique outfit?

There’s a way to rock these babies and still stand out in a crowd. Just because you’re in a situation that requires a warm, tough, and no-frills jacket, it doesn’t mean that you have to give up looking stylish. I hope you find this styling challenge as practical and fun as I did.

Tips and Trick for Making a Fleece Jacket More Stylish

Add a funky scarf. This is the easiest way to dress up a fleece coat. A colorful scarf will catch the eye of people around you. Others will pay attention to the texture, or the unique way it’s tied around your neck.

Wear one with a hat. A slouchy beanie adds a laid-back vibe to any outfit, including one with a plain fleece jacket. Plus, you’ll stay super warm!

If you have to buy a fleece, look for unique styles. I love the plush and fur-lined versions I’ve seen.

Pair one with chic shoes. Fleece jackets go great with riding or motorcycle boots, or those cute lace up ankle boot wedges that are getting popular. They also look fine with oxfords, ballet flats, loafers, and anything casual.

Layer, layer, layer. Wear a striped, floral, or graphic shirt underneath your fleece for interest, or wear your jacket under an ever heavier coat if you’re outside in the bitter cold. Play with vests, zip it up, or leave it unzipped.

Show of your style with pants! To balance out the drab top, pair a fleece jacket with flared or wide leg jeans, a great pair of trousers, or your trusty skinny cargos.

Wear it with moxie. Here at CF, we love the idea of wearing unique, creative outfits every day. But everyone needs a break! A fleece jacket, jeans, and a pair of sneakers can still make a statement if you wear the look with a bit of confidence.

Alright. You’ve got the rules and regulations, now let’s see some inspiration. Chelsea, one of our CollegeFashion experts, has put a few outfits together to get you thinking outside the North Face box. Check em out here!

OK, so it’s not like your back is flabby like your thighs and you don’t crave the definition like you do in your abs, but you can’t neglect your back muscles; they help you maintain good posture, give you a smaller waistline, and enable you to carry a 30-pound backpack to class (thank you, Ancient Psych professor). They’ll also help you move boxes into your new apartment and, of course, with the bend-and-snap. So let’s focus on bringing sexy backs back (you had to know the J.T. reference was coming)!

Before starting any hardcore back exercises, be careful! Because our back muscles tend to be weaker, they are really easy to injure. (It’s a strange cycle, I know.) Remember to warm up beforehand with cardio, some good back stretches, and light back weights if you can. Also, do the exercises slowly to make sure you’ve got the correct form and technique down. Try them out in front of a mirror before making your confident back debut at the gym!

Here are some easy exercises to tone the OTHER side of your waistline:

Bridge
You can do this exercise anywhere, any time. No need to hit up the gym to strengthen that back!

1. Lay on your back, knees bent, feet flat on the ground.
2. Lift your hips and squeeze your butt, creating a straight line from your knees to your shoulders. Hold for two seconds, and then lower slowly.

Repeat for 2-3 sets of 10-12 reps.

Back Extension
This is another great exercise that you can do at home.

1. Lay on your stomach with your legs together and your hands behind your head.
2. Lift your chest off the ground slowly, then slowly lower down without resting.
* To increase difficulty (which I recommend), lift your legs (straight out) at the same time as you lift your chest.

Repeat for 2-3 sets of 10-16 reps.

Back Extensions in the Gym
This exercise requires either the back weight bench [available at all gyms] or an exercise ball. I’ll explain it on the bench; modify as needed.

1. Stand in the middle of the bench, facing the larger pad.
2. Use the handles to help you lean forward and adjust so that your hips are across the large pad and the backs of your ankles are under the smaller pads.
3. Cross your arms over your chest or put your hands behind your neck.
4. Bend forward at the waist as far as you can then slowly bring yourself up until your back is parallel to the floor, only using your back muscles. Do not to arch your back!

Repeat for 1-3 sets of 10-12 reps.

Dead lift
All you need are some dumbbells to do a dead lift. Start with lighter weights (7-10 pounds total) and work your way up.

1. Stand up your with feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent.
2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing inward.
3. Bending at the hip, slowly lower your torso. Stop when the dumbbells reach your shins.
4. Slowly return to the starting position, keeping back straight and abs tight.

Repeat for 1-3 sets of 10-15 reps.

Pullover on Stability Ball
You’ll need a stability ball and dumbbells or a medicine ball for this one!

1. Lie on the stability ball with back, neck, and head fully supported.
2. Hold the dumbbells/medicine ball over your chest, arms straight up, palms facing inward.
3. Keeping the elbows slightly bent and abs tight, slowly lower your arms towards the floor until they are parallel to your shoulders.
4. With control, slowly lift arms back up to the starting position.

Repeat for 1-3 sets of 10-15 reps.

Hate how all the guys you know only lift weights a few times a week, skip the treadmill, eat twice as much as you, and still manage a 6-pack while you struggle to reveal any pack at all? Maybe it’s time to take a few tips from the boys!

As members of the fairer sex (holla!), we have some major obstacles to staying slim that guys will never have to deal with. The bloating and hormonal changes that come every month obviously suck. And the cravings don’t help us lose those extra pounds, either. While it’s true that both guys and girls get cravings, women are more likely to crave chocolates and sweets, whereas guys are more likely to crave meat (which happens to be filled with protein, makes you feel full longer and is generally better for your body). See the problem here? We should take a hint from the boys and switch to more protein-oriented snacks! Before reaching for the chocolate, go for some string cheese, a turkey and cheese wrap, or cottage cheese with fruit. If you’re still craving sweets after that, try mixing some protein with it – like almonds and chocolate chips.

While most ladies prefer free weights (or just skipping weight-lifting entirely), guys opt for the larger machines and weights. Unfortunately for us, this means that most guys burn 30% more calories every day because they have more muscle mass. If you’re still under the misconception that you will get larger and more masculine from lifting, never fear. They’ve done tons of studies that show no increase in size – only an increased muscle to fat ratio, which translates to more calories burned while you’re just sitting there! Again, more muscles = more calories burned. So how do you know how much weight to lift? You should only be able to do 10-12 reps at a time with a weight. If you can do more, it’s too light. If you can do less, it’s too heavy.

But it’s not just our hormones and our workouts that differ from the guys – it’s our overall mindset, as well. The MSNBC article says women are more likely to try to become “perfect overnight” and give up everything cold turkey. Guys tend to stay away from perfection. If they accomplish 80% of their weight loss goals for the day, they are satisfied. And allowing themselves the chance to “mess up” now and then is what keeps them successful in the long run. If we ladies can accept the fact that some days will be great and others will just be OK, we’ll see more success (or leaner, more toned bodies) in our future. Stop feeling guilty after eating some junk food – no one’s perfect. Enjoy the flavors and tastes, and get back to trying to eat healthy right after! The all-or-nothing mindset will backfire, guaranteed.

Finally, the way we women tend to look at food is also holding us back from our goals. For many women, eating is a more emotional experience. A University of Minnesota study found that “women are twice as likely as men to binge because they’re depressed.” This becomes even more important when you also know that “women are also twice as likely as men to be depressed” in general!  I blame those stupid yogurt commercials… Either way, food means comfort for a lot of women. Guys don’t view it in the same way. Food is for sustenance and other activities – like playing basketball, running or playing video games – are for entertainment. Take a hint from the boys and find something active to do to lift that mood. Take a dance class, go for a long walk, read a book… Whatever you do, stay away from the kitchen!

If you want to lose weight like a dude, you need to think, eat and exercise like a dude. It’s that easy.

Your cheat sheet to losing weight like a dude:
1. Don’t deprive yourself
2. Do something active when you’re upset
3. Eat protein when cravings hit
4. Lift weights

[I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the epitome of prim and proper- heck, who really is nowadays? But looking around at the misguided youths of today *ahem drinking buddies*, I’m starting to think that Miss Manners might have been onto something.

While you may never need to know how to greet a duke or how to tell which fork is REALLY the oyster fork, knowing how to deal with people whom owe you money, how much to tip, and how to address the ever annoying licorice-in-teeth conundrum without being rude might actually come in handy in the real world. I'm not trying to be your mother - oh goodness, no - I'm just here to help you out of those little etiquette dilemmas. So here goes: a quick lesson in etiquette. The sh*t you might actually need to know.]

I know that times are tough. The economy is in the dumper and our wallets are just getting emptier and emptier. These days it seems like I can’t turn a corner or walk into a bar without having to pay somebody something. Though I know it’s hard to choose between blowing your last dollars on another pitcher of beer or tipping the bartender, as a one-time waitress, I would never ever suggest skimping on tips. These service providers work hard (usually on a tiny salaries) and their paychecks rely heavily on your tips.

The other day, I was appalled when after ordering a heap-load of Chinese food, a “friend” of mine flicked the delivery guy a quarter and closed the door. A quarter. As in twenty-five cents. I literally had to chase down the guy and shove a few dollars at him. When I confronted her, she said she wasn’t sure how much to tip. I called bullsh*t, but it got me wondering if this is a real problem for a lot of people. So in case you were wondering, here is a tipping cheat sheet on who to tip and how much to tip them.

Waiters: Depending on the service, you may feel obliged to leave anywhere from 10% of the pretax bill to well over 20% (if you’re feeling especially generous). Here is the breakdown:

Good service: Did the server refill your drinks without being asked? Did he bring out the food on time? For adequate to good service, a tip of about 15% is expected.
Great service: Did the server remember your 12-party order perfectly… without writing it down? Did she ask the kitchen to burn the top of your macaroni just the way you asked? Was she quick to notice and replaced the dropped fork? If so, maybe you should reconsider the 15% tip and opt for something a little more. She deserved it.
Bad service: Even if the service is terrible, it is customary to leave at least a 10% tip. Maybe the waiter had an off day, but keep in mind that while you are out wining and dining, he is relying on your tips to pay the bills.

Bartenders: At the bar, leave at least a dollar a drink. If you’re out to make a good impression (which totally helps on Thirsty Thursdays when everyone is lining up for drinks) tip $2 for the first drink of the night. While you aren’t required to tip at a private party, remember that this is not the case for open bars. The drinks may be free but the bartender is still working for tips.

Valets: $2 for parking/retrieving your car. This seems a little silly to me. If you’re low on money, why bother with valet? Park your own car and walk a little further- it’s better for your wallet AND your health.

Taxi drivers: NYC taxi drivers are notorious for being terrible, but keep in mind that they make their living doing this. 15% of the total fare should work, granted you make it out of there alive.

Delivery guys: This goes for all deliveries- from pizza to dry cleaning to liquor. Tip them anywhere from $2-$4 depending on timeliness, more if the weather is terrible.

Hairstylist: 20% of the total is usually the standard gratuity, and don’t forget to tip the shampoo girl $2. If more than one person works on your hair (i.e. one person shampoos, another cuts, another colors, etc), leave the tip with the cashier and ask her to split it.

Professionals: Doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc. Really, for what they’re charging, it’d be a crime to ask for a tip as well

The mailman: Can you imagine tipping the mailman every time he hands you a letter? You really only have to open your wallet around the holidays, when a “gift” of a couple dollars (around $20) would be customary.

Flight attendants: No, you do not need to tip them every time they pour you a cup of diet Pepsi. Smile and say thank you.

Waiters and/or bartenders at a private party: You do not need to tip the caterers at a wedding; their gratuity is included in the Host’s package price.

Butlers or maids… in somebody else’s house: Honestly, I don’t know if this advice will ever come in handy. The only personal maid I’ve ever seen (on TV, nonetheless) is Gossip Girl’s Dorothea and she doesn’t accept tips *coughbribes* from anybody, not even Chuck Bass.

Your professors: No. Just no

Lastly, if you really can’t afford to tip, then maybe you should hold off on certain services until you’re willing to pony up the cash. It isn’t fair to anyone and if you keep up the little cheapskate act, you’re going to find one day that the whipped cream on your hot chocolate isn’t really whipped cream.. courtesy of your friend the waiter.

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I know it’s hard to stay on track, especially when you’re only thinking about the months of freedom, days at the beach and (finally!) reading for pleasure, but snap out of it! You’ve worked too hard all year to eff it all up now.

If you want to spend the summer lounging by a pool (or in your front yard with the roomies) and not re-taking that Econ class, heed my advice:

1. STAY Organized: I don’t know about you all, but my room has certainly gotten messy. However, the minute I took the time to organize it the way I did when I got back from winter break, I immediately felt less stressed out. Having an organized work space makes you focus better, so take the time to reorganize if you’re room has gotten out of hand.

2. Calendar EVERYTHING: I have this big dry erase wall calendar that I write everything down on. Hopefully you have one of these, and if you didn’t get one at the beginning of this semester, I suggest you invest in one NOW. When you write things down it helps you remember them. It’s a very easy way to keep track of tests and quizzes that are on your syllabus. Also make sure to put birthdays on there, especially your roommates. Forgetting a roommate’s birthday could be fatal. (They do know where you live…)

3. Communicate With Your Professors: You probably skipped a few classes by now just because you didn’t want to go (or you feared barfing on your desk), but this shouldn’t worry you. A lot of professors will be more lenient if you send them an email notifying them you won’t be there, and if you want to claim you have food poisoning from that take-out you had last night it usually works. The more you communicate with your professors, the more they notice you and show respect for you. They are there to help you, so don’t be afraid to ask them questions before or after class. If you’re too intimidated to talk to them in person, send them an email. You’ll be surprised how helpful they can be.

4. Read: A lot of times, we just look at our notes from class before the test and then are surprised when we don’t do so hot. READ the chapters. You will encounter the occasional professor that only puts things on the test from their power points and study guide, but there are also professors who ask questions from the book. Even if you just skim the chapters, it not only reinforces the notes, but you will do a lot better on your tests.

5. Get Ahead: If you find yourself with a little extra free time, do some homework that’s not due for a few days. Start outlining an upcoming paper. Read another chapter. As the end of the year approaches lots of little things (drinking outside!) pop up. Working ahead when you have the time is the best way to stay stress-free and open up some time to do the things you want to do.

6. Save Time for YOU: Set aside an hour or so a day just for you, whether you want to go work out, take a nap or read a book. Don’t study or do homework, just relax. It will keep you stress-free and content. And if your “you time” involves margaritas or a glass of wine, so be it.

Do you have any tips for staying on top of it? Let us know!

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