I’ve sat down to write the first entry of the column that will chronicle my final year as a college student about fifty a few times now, but I just haven’t been able to figure out where to start. So I figure I might as well start with the truth: I can’t seem to write this column because I’m not really sure how I feel about this whole “senior year” thing.

I mean, sure, part of me revels in the fact that this will be the last year I am forced to deal with pretentious professors and overzealous freshmen. No more writing papers on topics I just don’t care about or being forced to take core courses I have no use for. (I am a currently taking Plagues, Outbreaks and Biological Warfare for my science requirement. I can be bitter.) No more late night cram sessions or midterms. Or finals. No more college.

But no more college doesn’t just mean no more classes, its means no more college. No more college means no more built in, ever expanding social network. No more themed parties or club sponsored events or months off in between semesters. No more college means that I’m going to have to join the real world.

So with that in mind, I’ve decided I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts. I’m a recently 21-year-old, single college girl with way too much to worry about. I have every reason to check out and give in to that oh so tempting state of being known as Senioritis. The only problem? Life won’t let me. You see, it seems that Junior Jenn was much more eager than Senior Jenn. Junior Jenn believed that writing a senior thesis would be fun, that attempting to finish out both of my majors in the fall semester was a great idea, that taking on leadership roles in clubs would be worth it, and that – oh yeah – taking on the roll of tutor in addition to already working 10+ hours a week would be the right thing to do. Read More »

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Confession time: I’m a shopaholic. Bags are my weakness. So are boots. I’m obsessed with dark washed jeans and oversize sunglasses and Rachel Bilson’s entire wardrobe.

Needless, to say I take the time to make outfits out of all of these clothes that I acquire. I read magazines and blogs and spend far too much time trying to find the perfect outfit for every occasion. So yes, I am a woman who often worries about her appearance, or at least the appearance of her clothes. And I’m not afraid to admit it, much to the disapproval of the likes of Sandra Bartky.

I first encountered this feminist writer in my Philosophy and Feminism class last semester, when reading her article, Foucault, Femininity, and the Modernization of Patriarchal Power. Bartky discusses the roles men and a male dominated society (i.e.: the patriarchal power), play in the way in which women portray themselves. Women, she claims, feel as though they are constantly being watched by a male power and as a result, we feel it necessary to take part in this “beautification process” society has thrust upon us.

The process of beautification, she claims, is insignificant. It is a practice women take part in only because they feel they have to. Women, Bartky claims, feel as though they must always look perfect, as though they must always strive for the ideal. They are never good enough, but always reaching, always working in an attempt to please that nonexistent gazer. From waxing our eyebrows to straightening our hair, its all for someone else. And by conceding, Bartky explains, the patriarchy remains in control. Men continue to have the power. Read More »

Does anyone else find it highly disturbing that it’s not even August and the networks are rolling out the “Back to School” specials and commercials? Maybe I’m just in denial, maybe I want summer to stretch on forever, but it definitely seems too soon to head back to school.

Unfortunately, I’d be wrong. Next week I have to head back up to school a few weeks early to enter the wonderful world of sorority recruitment (another post in its entirety).  Don’t get me wrong, I’m so looking forward to catching up with all my sisters about their summers. I can’t wait to watch Pretty Little Liars with running commentary from my 2 wittiest friends. And I’m sure as hell excited to raid their closets for all the great new clothes they bought for the new semester.

But, resuming my estrogen laden lifestyle means saying so long to a certain boyfriend of mine. I get so sad knowing that in a few short days I won’t be coming home to the man I love, our little home, and quiet, peaceful snuggle sessions. I’m dreading knowing that the only guy I’ll be sleeping with is my teddy bear (not that my twin size bed could fit David even if he were allowed to sleep at the house). And I am absolutely depressed that the only action I’ll be getting on a consistent basis will be with my vibrator. Read More »

We’ve all done it, slipped a little white lie in when talking to a friend. Your hair looks fine. Of course he’ll call you back. You are absolutely right.

It’s not like you meant to be dishonest, but the words tumbled out of your mouth before you even had the chance to think about them. You’re not lying; you’re sparing her feelings. Does she really need to know that you think she completely overreacted or that no, you don’t think the reason he didn’t call was because he got run over by a truck? You’re just trying to be a good friend. But are you really? Not according to Lori Gottlieb, who believes that being one another’s “yes women” is turning our BFFs into our worst enemies.

I pride myself on always telling the truth, in friendships, in relationships, and at work. Always. Honesty is not only important; it’s necessary. It builds trust, gains respect, and keeps things simple. There is not a single situation that could possibly be made less complicated by lying. At least, that’s what I strive for, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I too have caved to the pressure of being a “yes women” on more than one occasion.

According to Gottlieb a “yes women” is a friend who tells you exactly what you want to hear. She reiterates your opinion right back to you, squashing your fears and reaffirming your beliefs. She makes you feel better about yourself, while also making herself feel better. If you’re right, then so is she. There’s safety in numbers. Misery loves company. We’re just helping each out, right?

Wrong. We think that by lying to our friends we’re helping them, when we’re actually doing just the opposite. Honesty is the best policy. It’s a tried and true cliché for a reason. Wouldn’t you want to know the truth? Isn’t it better that you have a BFF who cares enough to withstand your rage when she disagrees about your new boyfriend? Sometimes, the truth hurts. But that doesn’t make it any less valuable. Read More »

"She hung up without saying 'I love you.' Waaaah"

Remember those nights when you spent 5+ hours talking on the phone with your girlfriends about what your man friend was trying to tell you when he texted you, “Good Night” with a winky face? Well ladies, you’re not alone. A recent study has shown that men actually over-analyze and get more emotional about relationships than women do!

Yup, when we’re not looking or listening (usually because The Bachelorette is on…), our beaus are secretly going to their dude friends and discussing the ups and downs in their love lives.

I guess we’ve been wrong all along about the idea that men never talk about their feelings with their broskeez and how they don’t care about their relationships with their significant others. In actuality, it might be all they talk about when they’re alone! All those times they told us they were goin’ to “chill with the dudes,” our boyfriends were probably spooning, crying and spilling the beans about their feelings over a cup of tea and a biscotti.

We’ve been so wrong for so long. I imagine this is how things are really going down during bro time. Read More »

Ladies, it’s time to save some moolah to purchase the greatest invention since sliced bread: The Cleavage Caddy!

Yes, the name in itself sounds a little WTF with a pinch of late-night infomercial, but have no fear, the Cleavage Caddy may just be our new savior. What is it exactly? Well it’s a bra…that also simultaneously doubles as a mini-purse! Plus, if you’re wearing a low-cut top, it makes a very cute layering cami.

That’s three essentials for the price of one. Holler.

This may be the most clever invention for women since…let me think…birth control? Think about those nights when you’re out on the town, bar hopping, and along with your 5-inch platform pumps and skinny minny dresses, you have to worry about holding a clutch/purse with all your valuables. With the cleavage caddy, you can easily stuff everything you need to bring (ID, lipstick, money, keys, credit cards, charm and wit) into your cleavage and be a social butterfly the whole night. Not only will you be hands-free for those Long Island ice teas, the cleavage caddy will definitely add a kick to your step. Read More »

If you haven’t heard the name Jayne Appel, then you haven’t tuned into ESPN or Sportscenter in the past month, because her name is everywhere. Appel, senior at Stanford University, has taken the college basketball world by storm over the past four years.

As an All-American athlete, Appel has led the Stanford Cardinal to the Women’s Final Four for the past two years. She has more basketball awards than one can count, was one of Glamour magazine’s 2009 Top 10 College Women, and was the number 5 draft pick of the WNBA, picked to play for the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Basketball has been her life, but basketball isn’t the only arena that Appel dominates. With her bleach-blonde hair, notorious neon pink painted fingernails, and constant carefree California attitude, Jayne Appel is just another girl ready to make her place in the world. And as a recently graduated senior (due to that whole WNBA draft thing), Appel has officially entered the real world. Okay, so maybe instead of a 9-5 desk job she’s playing a sport she loves, but she is just as scared about life post-college as the rest of us.

Since most girls our age haven’t seen their dreams become reality yet and don’t have their own Wikipedia page or Facebook fan site, I wanted to sit down with Appel to ask her some questions and pick her brain about life after college. Read More »

Once upon a time in the magical world of high school, I had a boyfriend. And I cheated on him.

WAIT.
Before you start hating, give me a chance and hear me out. . . I know it was a sh*tty thing to do and I’m kind of a sh*tty person, but I can explain!

I had just turned eighteen, and was in the “I’m sooo over this” phase of my senior year in high school. Everything around me was boring: parents, school, my house, sometimes even my friends— even the prospect of prom season was boring me to tears. You’d think I would be excited for prom, since I had a boyfriend that I’d been with for about four months. But this boyfriend (we’ll call him Jay) wasn’t exactly the tastiest morsel in the bag of Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chips.

My parents hated Jay, of course, but since I was in that bored-and-rebellious phase, that fact only solidified my “love” for him. He was two years older than me and his days consisted of taking bong hits, watching TV, and playing guitar in his “metal band” (I know, wow.). We had an extremely close relationship and I considered him as much my friend as my boyfriend, but he slowly started to get increasingly possessive and verbally abusive. For instance, he yelled at me when I chose to spend my birthday evening with my friends instead of him, and then proceeded to ruin my night by calling me repeatedly for hours on end. Whenever I tried to end it, he wouldn’t let me. He even came to my high school one day to make sure I wasn’t talking to other guys behind his back. (Seriously, wow.) Our relationship became a prison that I just couldn’t break out of no matter how many times I tried. Read More »

Over the weekend a good friend of mine asked me to help her set up her online dating profile. Even better was the fact that her laptop screen was broken and we had to do it on her 40 inch flat screen TV. We both silently prayed that her neighbors (who were 10 feet away – this is NYC, after all) weren’t watching through the window.

I thought my friend only wanted a little help describing herself, but what she really wanted was for me to write the whole thing for her. Because, being single for the past 4 years, I’m a total expert in luring in the men. So I helped, rambling off all the things that were awesome about her that would be appealing to men: her love of college sports, her obsession with the Rolling Stones, her devotion to Arrested Development.

As she was loading in her pictures and getting ready to save the whole thing I remembered one more key thing she needed to add:

“Oh! Make sure to mention that you’re a beer girl! Guys love beer girls.”

And it’s true; being that beer is such a “dude drink,” guys love a girl who loves beer. It means she’s low key, down for anything and a really cool chick. So what if my friend has 9 bottles of shampoo in her shower and a weird obsession with lip gloss; her love of beer makes her instantly cool and laid back in a guy’s eyes. Read More »