Lauryn Paiva

Applying to college is overwhelming. It can make you want to rip out your hair, scream at your computer, and essentially do anything but fill out the mounds and mounds of seemingly endless paperwork that will get you to where you want to go. As a collegiette™ who has been through (and survived!) the process, I promise you, it's not as unmanageable as it might seem. Here are a few tips designed to help you avoid waiting until the last minute to fill out and submit your college apps.

1. Stay Organized!
I cannot stress this enough, ladies! It is so crucial to keep a clear head and to have an efficient system in place that will make filling out the Common App, financial aid forms, and other miscellaneous paperwork a breeze. I know by now you’re all familiar with the College Board. They put together a structured checklist of what you’ll need to keep track of throughout the college application process, no matter which schools you’re applying to. Print this right off of their website or create your own model based off of the one they provide.

Print hard copies of all the basic information that you’ll need to submit to each school. Having it easily accessible and in front of you will cut down on the time it will take to dig up the information over and over again. The information you’ll always need on hand includes:

1. The “You Personally Attacked Me/My Friend/Organization” Commenter: This type of commenter takes every generalization to heart. They insist that any observed trait of a specific group pertains specifically to them. Their comments generally read something like “As a [insert character description here] I feel singled out/stereotyped/demeaned by this article.” We understand that some people are more sensitive than others- that’s why we include disclaimers!

2. The “I’m-Never-Reading-Her–Campus-Northeastern-Again” Commenter: We know, we know: you’re never coming back to this site again. You’re SO done with us…just as soon as you post a comment telling us we’ve lost you as a reader, direct all of your friends to it, and then read every ensuing comment in reply to your own. Thanks for the site traffic though.

3. The “I-Have-No-Idea-What-Publication-I’m-Reading” Commenter: This type of commenter is typically horrified by the lack of sources and attributions in the post in question. They think we are a disgrace to journalism. We understand that not everyone is a J-major, so we take no offense. Allow us to clear things up for you: Her Campus is not The Huntington News. It is not Time, Newsweek, or any other publication that strictly revolves around hard news. We write conversational, campus-specific content, which means that not everything we say has to be backed up by an expert.

‘Tis the season for creating wish lists, stretching the limits of your bank account and watching Elf three times a week. In the midst of all of this festive cheer, you may find yourself taking stock of what you’ve been able to give and receive in the last year.
 
If you’re feeling extra thankful for all of the awesomeness in your life this holiday season, consider sharing that feeling with those among us who might need some extra help during the holidays.
 
Getting involved with a charity doesn’t always mean having to make a monetary donation. Actually, there are tons of fun ways to give back to the community without having to open up your wallet. In the spirit of giving, round up your friends, teammates or sorority sisters and make a day of it! HC found 10 awesome holiday charities that will allow you to spend quality time with your loved ones and give back during the holidays.
 
1. Baking For Good
Baking For Good is an online bakery that not only creates delicious cookie treats, but also donates 15% of the net proceeds from every purchase to a charity of your choice. This is a great way to support your favorite charity while indulging your sweet tooth! Head over to their online bakery and do some holiday shopping that will benefit more than just your credit card company.
 
2. Toys For Tots 

An anonymous essay about premarital sex has some college students in Manhattan in an uproar. Typically, the topic of premarital sex is so prevalent on college campuses that this may seem a little unusual. But for students at Yeshiva University, an Orthodox Jewish institution, this essay about one student’s first sexual encounter is tantamount to a sin.
 
Yeshiva University teaches both Jewish and Secular subjects. While a large amount of enrolled students are Orthodox Jews- who believe that even talking openly about premarital sex is unacceptable- not all are as stringently tied to those beliefs.
 
The essay, How Do I Even Begin To Explain This, was written by an Orthodox woman and published in the YU Beacon.
 
The published piece resulted in a weeklong controversy on campus, as conservative students pushed to have the piece removed. The tension culminated in the resignation of two Beacon editors and a proclamation from the publication stating that they would sever official ties to the university.
 
Simi Lampert, the remaining editor-in-chief, stood by the decision to publish the essay. “To all those upset by the article, I apologize,” she wrote. “But I do not regret the decision to post it. This is the reason the Beacon was founded in the first place- to be a platform for every student, not just the majority.”
 
The student council at Yeshiva University reported that the Beacon is no longer recognized as an official club and will no longer receive funding.