I remember the first time going home after starting college. I couldn't wait. I missed my bed, my mom's cooking, my friends, family, and my dog!

Going home however, wasn't like going home after high school. It had been three whole months since I had seen everyone. While I was still making friends at college, adjusting to a roommate, a new city, and a completely new life, I was returning to what I thought would be exactly the same.

How wrong was I! Life hadn't stopped once after I left, and things had changed. My brother was taller, my friends and I had different takes on our college experiences, and I didn't fit in with everyone exactly the way I did before I left home.

My mom had slightly redecorated my room, and I could feel that I didn't live there anymore. At first it sounded like I was being really negative, but over time I realized that it was true and there was nothing wrong with it. I was at the start of building my own new, adult life. And there was nothing wrong with that! It was nice to see that I was doing different things while staying close to the people at home who mattered to me the most.

When I went home for the first time since leaving for college I didn't mesh as well with everyone as I did before, but over time it was simply an adjustment period. Now, every Thanksgiving and Christmas, I can't wait to go home and spend time with old friends and family. It gives me time to convince everyone to come visit me during the school year, so they can see what my new life at college is like!

Do you have any stories about going home for the first time since leaving for college? Post your stories below!

Xoxo,

Divya

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"Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it." – Mean Girls

In college, this is so true. There are girls dressed as Victoria's Secret models, Playboy Bunnies, sexy cats, witches, and devils. So why is it that girls use Halloween as an excuse to dress suggestively?

In my opinion, it is because it's widely accepted. Girls can flaunt their bodies (the ones that dare so) without getting called a slut by using the excuse that on Halloween you dress up as something you're not. I don't mean we aren't sexy, more so the sexy lion tamer costume part. I admit, I have tried on the sexy Princess Jasmine and Wonderwoman costumes and for the most part they are all either extremely form fitting or show a lot of skin. While I’m tempted to get one, I usually back out because I’m afraid I can't pull it off. Yet at the same time, a little voice in the back of my head is saying, "Go for it! It's Halloween!"

The fact that I consider sexing up my costume isn't because I want to turn heads or get more attention from boys. It's just a fun night to dress up completely different from your everyday wear. Because really, if you're wearing a tight cocktail dress or a bathing suit in front of your friends, isn't it kind of the same thing? You dress sexy because you feel good about yourself, and if you feel good in a laced up cop costume then so be it! The most important thing is that you don't feel uncomfortable in what you're wearing. So go ahead, buy those sexy fishnet stockings to go with your Halloween outfit this year! It's just one day.

What do you think about sexy Halloween costumes? Are you dressing sexier on the 31st?

Xoxo,

Divya

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There has been a lot of chatter lately over the portrayal of body image in the media. First there was the Kelly Clarkson Photoshopping incident in Self and recently a Ralph Lauren model was fired even after she was Photoshopped for not being skinny enough. Needless to say, we are getting mixed signals from the media, telling us to have a healthy weight, but then not backing it up in their own pages.

CosmoGirl reader *Cathy, 12, from Colorado feels the same way. She sent us this letter earlier this month expressing her concerns with the way skinny is being portrayed in the media:

Dear CosmoGirl:

Imagine a girl who's teeth are rotted from her constantly forcing herself to throw up in the bathroom. One who painfully wraps her [waist] with duct tape, or goes on a dangerous diet of eating nothing in middle school. Imagine staring at the tombstone of a young girl who died because of an eating disorder. Imagine your daughter crying herself to sleep after looking in a mirror and comparing herself to the Barbie doll like models in magazines. Imagine being able to stop it. You have the power to help kids, teens, and even adults to raise their self-esteem. We may not be able to repair it completely, but we can raise it somewhat.

Although I am only 12 years old, I know several girls who, because of the figures in magazines, have been on diets since age nine. According to friends experiences and articles I have found on the Internet, this is not very rare. Girls of a very young age are being taught that they need to be "hot" and thin. This is not healthy.

Do you know how many Americans have eating disorders? About eight million. Seven million of those are women. One out of every 2,000 American women suffers from anorexia and 2 out of 3 in 100 Americans have bulimia. Some girls can reject the image that the media puts forth of the overly skinny model, but that is only around 18 percent.

Eating disorders are dangerous. More people die from them than any other mental illness. In anorexic women alone, 10 percent of them will die within 10 years of developing the disease. Only 1 in 10 people will receive treatment, as it can cost up to $2,000 a day!

Studies show that children 10 and up who have been exposed to fashion magazines have a higher chance of developing eating disorders. What [magazines] need to do to help is put more realistic sized models in their pages. If they start advertising with healthy girls, readers will get the message that starving yourself is not right. There should be more articles warning readers about eating disorders. Please so something to change how young girls see themselves and make it a positive change.

What do you think of this reader's letter? Do you agree? How do you think the media should fix this growing concern? Tell us below!

*Name has been changed to respect reader's privacy. All data from the letter was done from the reader solely, and may or may not be accurate to date.

xoxo,

Colleen

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Every year I tell myself I am going to come up with a clever Halloween costume. Every year I fall short because I never find the time to get the appropriate props or extra necessary clothing to make a great costume. In my last two Halloweens I have worn all black and gone as a cat and worn a green dress with a leaf wreath as poison ivy. My costumes are getting pretty bleak to say the least!

If you have the same costume conundrum I do, check out these easy DIY costume ideas below. Most of the materials are in your closet, you just don't know it!

Gossip Girl: You tune in every Monday night, so why not be Blaire Waldorf for the night and get your boyfriend to be Chuck Bass. The notorious Upper East Side couple has a distinct fashion sense that is easy to mimic. Start with a basic white button down and an old school uniform plaid skirt. For accessories, use a headband for Blair's signature look. If it has a bow on it, even better! For Chuck, guys will need bright colors, plaid, pinstripes and of course suspenders! Don't forget your cell phone in case you get any Gossip Girl updates!

Greek Goddess: Grab an old white bed sheet and google "toga wrapping" or just use a white dress (preferably a one strap). Add a gold headband, or a green leaf wreath and tie a gold ribbon around as a belt. Wear lots of gold jewelry and gladiator sandals and you're all set!

Geisha: All you need for this costume is a silk robe and a pair of slippers or flip flops. Get some chopsticks from a local Chinese restaurant, and paint them with nail polish. Toss your hair up and put the chopsticks in. Use a thick ribbon from a craft store as a sash for around your waist. If you don't want to buy white face paint, mix cold cream and cornstarch together with a little bit of water to get a pale face. Powder with flour, add red lipstick, heavy eyeliner and add a paper fan!

These are easy to throw together, plus no sewing or fancy makeup required!

What are you being for Halloween? Tell us your costume ideas below!

Xoxo,

Divya

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Midterms are just around the corner! That means flash cards, study groups, late nights at the library, and practicing those short answer essay questions. What's the best way to study? It all depends on what works for you. However, there are a few useful tips that can help ease your nerves and ace your midterms.

Eat a good breakfast. This all starts by going to bed at a decent hour! Some of you are able to pull all-nighters, but studies show that those who get to sleep earlier and eat a nutritious breakfast are able to retain more information. You'll feel way more energized and confident if you avoid rolling out of bed ten minutes before the morning of your test.

Know your stuff! In high school you may have been able to memorize vocabulary words and regurgitate the terms on the tests, but in college the likelihood of you receiving a higher grade will depend on if you really understand the information. So avoid simply memorizing formulas and instead try to understand why the midpoint formula in economics calculates what it does.

Don't cram. When you have midterms back to back all in one week, it's a good idea to space out your study time. Don't leave one weekend to study for three midterms the following week!

Keep up with the work. Starting from the very beginning of the semester do your best to keep up with the course reading. This will help to avoid cramming come midterm time. If you've been keeping up with the reading and assignments, all you'll need to do the week before is review rather than catch up on all the reading you missed!

Read the instructions. This may seem obvious, but it's easy to not read carefully and lose points on an exam. Sometimes you have the option to pick two from four essay topics. If you make the mistake of not reading carefully, you could do the wrong topic, or all – which is time consuming not to mention stressful.

Stay calm. My biggest problem is simply freaking out about the exam. I'm a senior and I still get anxious right before! It's important to stay cool and confident. Tell yourself you know the material because you've been going to class, taking notes, and studying. Take a deep breath and conquer whatever the exam throws at you! You've got this!

Do you have any study tips? I want to hear them! What's your study mantra for midterms?

Xoxo,

Divya

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We've already told you how you can dress for a cause to help support Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but you don't have to stop there!

Now there is a super easy and cheap way to show your support! Orbit White Gum has partnered up with Bright Pink, a charity devoted to educating and supporting young women at risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

This month when you buy one Big-E-Pack of Orbit White Bubblemint gum, 10 percent of your purchase will go toward Bright Pink and their charity initiatives. As an avid gum chewer myself, this is definitely something myself and my wallet can handle!

Have you supported Breast Cancer Awareness Month yet?

xoxo,

Colleen

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You don't have to live in the South to enjoy Southern food. Let's face it, they know how to eat down there! Deep-fried goodness, yummy jambalaya, it's hard not to drool just thinking about it. Now you can bring a part of the South to your kitchen with this easy New Orleans Beignet recipe. These fritters have a long history in New Orleans and have been linked to Mardi Gras since the 16th century!

Check out the recipe below in honor of Paula Morris's new book, Ruined. Be sure to check out the interview with the author and see if you really belong in the South!

New Orleans Beignets

Ingredients

-1 package dry yeast

-1/2 cups warm water

-1/2 cup sugar

-1 tsp salt

-2 eggs

-1 cup evaporated milk

-7 cups flour

-1/4 cup shortening

-Powdered sugar

-Vegetable oil, for deep frying

Directions

1. In a large bowl, add the yeast to the warm water and stir to dissolve.

2. Add the sugar, salt, beaten eggs, and evaporated milk and blend with whisk or electric mixer.

3. Add 4 cups of the flour and continue to mix.

4. Add shortening.

5. Blend in the remaining flour.

6. Form dough into a ball by molding over a flour work surface.

7. Cover the dough in a bowl and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.

8. Roll out dough over flour work surface to 1/8" thickness.

9. Cut into squares about 2 1/2 to 3"

10. Heat vegetable oil in deep fryer to 360 degrees F and place squares in (hint: if the beignets don’t rise to the top immediately when you drop them into the oil, the oil needs to be heated more).

11. Fry 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned on each side.

12. Drain on paper towels.

13. Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.

14. Serve hot and enjoy!

Have you ever tried beignets?

xoxo,

Colleen

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Caroline Goulding has played with The Cleveland Orchestra, The Detroit Symphony, the Cincinnati Pops, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Aspen Concert Orchestra among countless other groups and television performances. Did we mention she just turned 17?

When we met Goulding, there was no doubt in our minds she deserved the title of CosmoGirl of the Moment. She's been playing the violin for the large majority of her life, after stealing her brother's instruments as a baby. Check out her interview and hear her play below. Prepare to be blown away!

What do you think of Caroline Goulding?

xoxo,

Colleen

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Tired of your little sister latching on to your leg or crying till you play with her? Nothing says distraction like a new doll for her to play with!

Hosung Companies has a new fall line of eco-friendly toys for siblings and even pets! This Natural Good Earth Fairy is made from miYim organic cotton and comes in a reusable cardboard box. Not only will you be the best sis for buying her a new toy, you'll also be setting a good example!

Waiting for the holidays to spoil your sis? In the meantime, spend some QT time with her at MyPrincessAcademy.com, where you can both be princesses!

What's the best gift you've ever received from a sibling?

xoxo,

Colleen

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So you arrive at college ready to be independent and self-reliant. WAITTT… suddenly you realize your decision to pursue higher education is now way pricier than high school. No more classroom textbooks, mom's cooking or dad paying for the cable bill. If you're not a trust fund baby, your financial options range from:

-The money left over from your retail job at that horrible store over the summer.

-Your parents' sympathy allowance of $10 a week they send in the mail.

-The money your younger sibling is willing to lend you as long as you pay back with interest.

Even if these are seemingly viable options for you, extra cash always helps. Campus jobs are always in high demand, yet sometimes snagging one can be difficult.

After being unemployed my entire freshmen year of college and refusing to sell my blood for extra cash, I realized that there are many hidden jobs on campus, you just have to look for them! Below are some tips for catching one of these coveted jobs:

-Apply for jobs even if you think you're semi qualified for — I applied to be an "IT Consultant" and it turned out to be more like a computer lab monitor! The hardest thing I did was refill toner!

-Hit up places like the front desk of the gym, admissions office, library, or study lounges. Sometimes those are work-study positions, which you may not qualify for, but they usually have some openings for regular students too.

-Look at different departments. You'll be surprised how many labs need monitoring and office assistants — whether it be in the engineering, fine arts, or science buildings. Just because it's not your major doesn't mean they won't hire you!

-Work in your field. This is a bit trickier, but if you're pre-med, try to find a research position that's paid. If you're journalism, try to do some freelance work or get a writing job for a department on campus. Not only will you make bank, but it'll look good on your resume.

-Call in favors. If you're friend has a sweet job, ask them to ask their supervisor if they need more employees. Usually people like to hire someone who is recommended by a good employee. It's all about who you know!

The great thing about working on campus is that usually your boss is flexible with your hours and taking time off because they understand school comes first. Talk to people on campus to see what's right for you.

Do you have a job at school? Tell us how you got it below!

xoxo,

Divya

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Picking a college is not as easy as picking out what you want to wear on a Friday night. You can't just pick what's "in" or which school colors look good on you, there are many more factors to consider. This is where you will be spending the next 4+ years of your life, and a decision no one takes too lightly.

Thanks to CollegeWeekLive.com the decision process just got a little bit easier! The site is one big virtual college fair, with schools including Yale, UCLA, Rutgers, and the list goes on!

CollegeWeekLive is gearing up for their big fall virtual college fairs, where you can not only get a glimpse of what the campus is like, but also video chat with students that actually go to the school, and get information on financial aid and scholarships. Check out the dates below for specific regions and be sure to sign up (it's free)!

October 1, 2009 — CollegeWeekLive University of California Day

October 15, 2009 — New England Day at CollegeWeekLive

November 4-7, 2009 — CollegeWeekLive Fall

January 14, 2010 — CollegeWeekLive Paying for College

March 24-25, 2010 — CollegeWeekLive Spring

What factors do you consider when thinking about college?

xoxo,

Colleen

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It's hard to believe that 9/11 was just eight years ago. For many, it seems like it was just yesterday. But just because it's in the past doesn't mean it's okay to forget about it. President Obama has called today a National Day of Service and Remembrance, and many are doing just that.

DoSomething.org is teaming up with teens and celebrities like Greek's Spencer Grammer and Dilshad Vadsaria to help clean up New York City's East River. This will contribute to the 1.3 billion hours teens already spend volunteering.

In 2008 alone, 4.4 million teens dedicated themselves to volunteer efforts, which also includes a 217 percent increase in teen applications to AmeriCorps. That's a lot! Even in times of economic crisis, which is all around us, volunteer efforts have not wavered.

To get involved in volunteering today, and any other day check out DoSomething.org or VolunteeringAmerica.gov.

What are you doing for 9/11?

xoxo,

Colleen

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Do you believe in ghosts? After reading Ruined by Paula Morris you just might! This ghost story centers around Rebecca, a teen who lives in New York and suddenly moves to New Orleans to stay with her aunt. Though the city took a beating during Hurricane Katrina, Rebecca realizes quickly how beautiful it really is.

She apparently isn't the only one who feels that way. After dealing with her crazy aunt, Rebecca befriends a ghost in the local cemetery named Lisette. With Lisette's help, Rebecca will unearth an age-old mystery while uncovering some unsettling truths along the way.

Stay tuned for exclusive excerpts from the book and our interview with Paula Morris, author of Ruined and New Orleans resident! In the meantime, check out the book trailer below and enter to win our Ruined Sweepstakes, where you could win a trip to a haunted ghost tour in New Orleans!

Do you believe in ghosts?

xoxo,

Colleen

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Hannah Friedman has had quite the life for a 22-year-old. Dubbed as "Monkey Girl" in middle school (yes, her family owned a pet monkey), Friedman was pulled out of school in sixth grade to live on a tour bus with her mother, brother, father, his bandmates, and we're assuming the monkey also came along. When she got into one of the country's most prestigious boarding schools on a scholarship, it looked like Hannah's luck was finally changing.

Fast-forward to senior year, where it would appear that Hannah's got it all. Great GPA, cute boyfriend, friends with the coolest girls in school, the works. Yet, with that popularity came some not-so-cool issues for Hannah, such as her drug habit and newly found eating disorder and identity crisis.

That's what she talks about here, in her novel Everything Sucks: Losing My Mind and Finding Myself in a High School Quest for Cool. From "Monkey Girl" to the real life Blair Waldorf and back again, this book has the scoop on the inside lives of the teen elite.

Not only do we think it's cool Hannah's taken her experiences and shared them with the world, she even Facebooked us to give us the deets about it!

Check out the book trailer here and get the book on Amazon!

Do you ever get sick of high school cliques?

xoxo,

Colleen

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I never thought I'd see the day where people would actually want to study for a standardized test. Thanks to the newest strain of Twilight mania, I think we've finally reached that point. Brian Leaf, M.A., who has prepared thousands of students in the SAT, ACT, GED, and SSAT has created Defining Twilight, a vocabulary workbook that will help you prepare for your big test by referencing words in Twilight!

How is this possible you ask? Good question, I asked the same thing. Defining Twilight gives you vocab words that can be found in your Twilight novel. You define the word in question after reading the page where it is in your book (don't worry, they give you page numbers!) and then check your answer with the correct one given in the workbook.

The book also is chock full of analogies and synonyms which are always on the SATs. Use the workbook to test yourself on the synonym of "myriad" or the analogy, "Sober is to solemn as..." with all the answers being words that actually appear in the novel!

I will use any excuse to flip through Twilight again, even if that reason is studying! And don't worry, Defining New Moon is coming out in November, so you can get a whole new batch of vampire vocab!

Is this something you would be willing to try when studying for the SATs?

xoxo,

Colleen

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