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Now that fall semester is ramping up, it’s easy to get sidetracked by your jam-packed planner and heavy workload. But between classes and clubs, you also need to prioritize yourself! Here are our top tips for feeling your best this semester in every sphere of your life. These small lifestyle tweaks can make a huge difference.
Look your best self
1. Upgrade your hair
You don’t need a drastic haircut to totally enhance your look. Even small changes, like playing with texture can create a big difference! (We LOVE TRESemmé’s Perfectly (un)Done Sea Salt Spray and Sea Foam to achieve tousled waves). Just because you’re back to the books doesn’t mean you can’t look like you just came back from the beach. You’ll be amazed by how confident you feel, with just a small upgrade.
2. Revamp your room and wardrobe
Wearing a great outfit or walking into your gorgeous bedroom can make any day better. But we know it can be hard to look chic on a college budget. That’s why we love Marshalls for their incredible prices and even better style. Become the envy of your friends with items from their home décor department, or get that name brand outfit you’ve been wanting—all for a great price. It’s totally possible to shop smart in college!
3. Dare to try a new look
Stuck in a makeup rut this semester? A little bit of change can do wonders for both your look and your outlook! We prefer makeup that works as hard as we do – NYC New York Color brings us Cityproof 24HR Shadow Sticks that are waterproof and last all day, available in 12 fun, energetic colors. Need a quick but trendy look for class? Just twist, glide and go!
4. Find the balance between style and function
Those six-inch stilettos and tiny bedazzled clutch you brought to school? Not so practical. You can be super stylish and stay organized at the same time. Let us introduce you to our back-to-school must-have: the Chelsea Tote from MZ Wallace. It’s lightweight, stain and water resistant, fits comfortably over your shoulder and has TONS of room for your books and knick-knacks. It’ll take you from the gym to class to a weekend away while looking great! We’re obsessed!
5. Moisturize—a lot
No, seriously—the easiest way to look beautiful all of the time? You have to moisturize! Your entire body needs water—hair, skin and even lips. Keep your pout smooth with a Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick with Vitamin E. Store it in your backpack and use it spot moisturize anywhere you need.
Think your best self
1. Indulge in pleasure reading
Step away from your chemistry textbook just for an hour or two. We know you probably haven’t read for pleasure in years (and no, reading your Facebook newsfeed doesn’t count!), but it’s a great way to escape from the monotony of schoolwork. Our top pick for fall? We Were Liars by New York Times bestselling author E. Lockhart. If you’re a John Green fan, you’re going to be obsessed with the novel he calls “thrilling, beautiful and blisteringly smart.”
2. Participate fully in your daily life
Unfortunately, we haven’t reached gender equality yet. But there are ways us women can continue fighting for it. Participate fully in your life. That means everything from voting in your student government election to running as a candidate yourself. We encourage you to participate in No Ceilings: The Full Participation Project’s #NoCeilings 30-Day Challenge.
3. Host a bake sale
All cupcakes are great, but they’re even better when they’re for a great cause. This fall, She’s the First is aiming to inspire 400 bake sales in America, all dedicate to fundraise scholarships for girls in low-income countries, to foster first-generation graduates and to cultivate the next generation of global leaders. We encourage you to host one on your campus this fall!
4. Refine your study technique
Gone are the high school days where your teachers walked you through the material. In college, you’re expected to do a lot of work independently – no easy feat. 5-Hour ENERGY ® shots can help you maintain that energized feeling when studying. They’re four calories, contain the caffeine comparable to a cup of the leading premium coffee, and will get you through your study session without falling asleep at the library.
Care for your best self
1. Eat fresh foods
If you treat your body right, you’ll feel amazing. Don’t settle for anything less than fresh, whole foods. And guess what? Your obsession with Chipotle counts! Chipotle prepares their food with no added sugar, artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors. This includes meats raised without antibiotics or added hormones, pasture-raised dairy, local produce when seasonably available and only non-GMO ingredients. Go get your guac fix, collegiette!
2. Make your period better
Okay, so your period is definitely not the most fun thing in the world, but we think you can make it a little better. This year, try The DivaCup—it’s a reusable menstrual cup that will save you money, is good for the environment and great for your health. The DivaCup is way more convenient than constantly restocking on pads and tampons—and you never have to worry about chemicals that could potentially wreak havoc on your body.
3. Don’t let illness weigh you down
Getting sick in a college dorm is basically a rite of passage—but that doesn’t make it any more fun. Even the common cold can seem like a huge deal when you don’t have your mom to bring you soup and you’re still expected to do homework. Take Cold-EEZE Cold Remedy Plus Natural Multi-Symptom Relief Cold & Flu QuickMelts, which shorten your cold and help relieve cold and flu symptoms. That way you can get back to feeling your best (and also not get your poor roommate sick!)
4. Add a little sweetness to your life
After a hard day in the library, there’s nothing better than a little treat. Add Zing™ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener to your favorite foods and drinks. It is made with only real ingredients, nothing artificial. Enjoy the thrill of treating yourself to something sweet!
5. Love the skin you’re in
Taking care of your skin is super important—and what you do NOW to keep your skin healthy can have huge benefits for when you’re older. Spruce is an app that connects you to board-certified dermatologists, anytime and anywhere, for all of your skin concerns, from acne to bug bites to eczema. Through the app, a board-certified dermatologist will respond to you within 24 hours with a diagnosis and a treatment plan, and any necessary prescriptions will be sent digitally to the pharmacy of your choice. Each visit is a straight $40 and is perfect for anyone out of network of their insurance coverage. Use promo code HERCAMPUS15 at check-out for your first visit free! (Limited offer)
Create your best self
1. Design a life you love
Surround yourself with art! Whether you just love going to museums or expressing yourself through fashion, it’s so important you find a way to express yourself. Want to create art or fashion? We love My Social Canvas, which allows millennials to participate in the process of national design campaigns. The winning designer gets scholarship funds to assist with the pursuit of their design dreams, as well as help fund the design campaign’s cause, be it women’s health or alleviating poverty.
2. Make something beautiful
You spend probably 80 percent of your day on a laptop reading or doing problem sets. Setting aside time to be creative will do wonders for both your productivity and your mood. Need inspiration? Martha Stewart Crafts provides the crafting tools needed to bring out your creative side. If you’re a DIY kind of girl, you’ll love their paper crafting tools and party products that allow you to make everything from awesome dorm room or party decorations to gifts for friends!
We hope you have an AMAZING year, collegiettes! Keep these tips in mind to feel confident all semester long!