More than one-in-four college students report suffering from an eating disorder

Westlake Village, Calif., (August 14, 2024) – Alsana, an eating disorder recovery community, is helping students adjust to college life by offering virtual support to anyone struggling with disordered eating. According to a 2021 study in Psychiatry Research, 28% of college students suffer from eating disorders, which are the second most deadly mental health condition. Early intervention is key to managing and preventing eating disorders from progressing, which is why virtual treatment is so important for busy college students.

College is often the first opportunity for students to live independently. This, combined with new environments and academic pressure, can contribute to unhealthy eating patterns that might lead to an eating disorder. Alsana’s accessible virtual treatment programs allow students to pursue their studies while building healthy habits.

“The pressures of staying on top of school is tough enough as it is. These stressors can trigger disordered eating habits, and treatment can help students improve their overall health to achieve a successful college career,” said Margot Rittenhouse, MS, LPCC, director of clinical services at Alsana Westlake Village. “ With virtual treatment, the recovery process is  accessible from their college living environment, in-between classes and during times that work best with their schedules.”

Benefits of virtual treatment include group and individual therapy, nutrition counseling and meal support, access to care five days a week, and peer support sessions for additional encouragement in recovery.

For more information about Alsana’s virtual treatment programs, click here.

About Alsana®

Alsana is an eating recovery community with virtual Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs across the United States, in addition to Residential, PHP/IOP programs in Alabama, California, and Missouri. Its eating disorder treatment program are compassion-focused, evidence-based, and designed in alignment with Alsana’s Adaptive Care Model®. This whole-person approach addresses healing in all areas of clients’ lives by integrating medical, nutritional, and therapeutic care with movement and relational therapies. Alsana serves adult clients of all genders and sexual identities struggling with a broad spectrum of eating, feeding, and co-occurring mental health conditions. Alsana’s programs accommodate the unique needs of vegan clients and clients struggling with ED-DMT1, also known as “diabulimia.” Learn more at www.alsana.com.

For Immediate Release

Gretchen Ferguson, Westbound Communications
gferguson@westboundcommunications.com
Cell: 760-224-0346

“For the love of fashion” is the motto that unites the students of Fashion in Business at the University of Utah. The student-run organization works to boost its members’ academic and professional careers through the different elements of the fashion industry.

FIB was founded in 2020 in the David Eccles School of Business. When it first started, the group was mostly tailored to business students, focusing on fashion’s function in the business world. It has since expanded to include events and resources that cater to students of all majors.

Isabella Nibley, community engagement officer for FIB and international relations and economics major at the U, said it gives anyone who enjoys fashion the chance to collaborate and network.

“Fashion is a form of creative expression, and it can say a lot,” Nibley said. “I think that there’s a lot of symbolism that can go into fashion as well as the community that it brings together.”

Dulce Vargas, events director for FIB and business major at the U, said fashion is an easy bonding point because it’s an accessible way to show an individual’s identity.

“It makes a uniting cause because we all wear clothes,” Vargas said. “It says quite a bit about us, especially when you’re on the creative side.”

FIB’s wide array of events gives students opportunities for professional growth. Vargas said their roots in the business school drive the group to find fun ways to help their members’ career development.

“We’re always like, ‘Okay, how can we connect the dots and help our members build their own professional development?’” Vargus said.

In March 2023, the group hosted a LinkedIn workshop where attendees could take business professional headshots to update their LinkedIn profiles. They also held an Adobe Skills Workshop where they taught students how to use Adobe software to create fashion-inspired content and develop creative portfolios in November 2022.

The group regularly puts on events like member socials, movie nights and creative workshops to give members the chance to make connections and friendships.

“We like to keep a balance of professional development and just kind of like fun activities,” Vargas said.

One of FIB’s greatest emphases within fashion is sustainability. The group encourages members to explore their sense of style through second-hand clothing and thrifting as a more eco-conscious approach to fashion. They host recurring clothing swap events where students can bring clothing pieces they no longer wear and trade them in for something new.

FIB’s biggest event is its annual fashion show. The fashion show is held on campus and brings together creative minds from the campus community and beyond.

Nibley said the group puts the most time into this event because it gives artists in the community a platform to share their passion and creativity.

“The fashion show is a great way to bring in a bunch of different people,” Nibley said. “I think there’s not a lot of opportunities for students to like showcase their work to big crowds. So, I think that it’s a really fun way to do that because it’s completely student-run.”

FIB hosted its first fashion show in January 2023. After seeing students’ enthusiasm for the event and how well the show aligned with the group’s goals, they decided to make it a recurring event.

The second annual “By U, For You” fashion show was held in February 2024 in collaboration with the Union Programming Council. FIB had the goal to make this fashion show bigger and better than the last.

According to a post on LinkedIn, the event drew in over 850 attendees. The show featured works from 10 local designers with help from 50 models, many of whom are students at the U. They also hosted over a dozen vendors.

Becoming a member of FIB is easy. Nibley explained all it takes is coming to their events. There are no required meetings and event information is shared on their Instagram.

“You don’t have to be involved in business or fashion,” Nibley said. “I feel like it’s been a great networking thing for me, I’ve made so many friends, I’ve met so many different types of people.”

Vargas said being a part of FIB has helped her find her community on campus.

“That is the beauty of it — really being able to build your network from a club where you guys all share that interest,” Vargas said.

e.crossley@ustudentmedia.com

@ElleCrossleyy

The post Students Find Community and Professional Growth through Fashion first appeared on The Daily Utah Chronicle.

In his last weeks as Interim President of the University of Minnesota, Jeff Ettinger withdrew a job offer for director of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies on June 10, prompting debate about the role of administrators in hiring practices and infringements on academic freedom.

College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Interim Dean Ann Waltner extended an offer to Israeli historian and genocide expert, Raz Segal, on June 5 before it was withdrawn in reaction to an outpouring of negative community feedback regarding Segal’s ability to lead the center given his views of Israeli action in Gaza. Expressing strong dissent in Ettinger’s decision, the Faculty Senate passed a no-confidence vote on June 24. 

Faculty Senator and CLA Assembly Vice-Chair Michael Gallope said the pressure campaign was an attempt to stifle debate about a controversial war and goes against basic principles of free speech.

In an October 2023 article, Segal criticized Israeli action in Gaza, calling it “a textbook case of genocide.” 

Gallope said withdrawing Segal’s offer based on community opinion regarding his views violates several University values related to academic freedom and faculty autonomy over educational decisions, as stipulated in CLA’s constitution.

Ettinger announced the search pause for the Center’s director at the Board of Regents meeting on June 14. 

At the Minnesota Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety hearing June 25, Ettinger said the decision to pause was “unusual,” though he determined it necessary given the community-facing role the Center’s director holds.

“My conclusion was that the Center’s leader needs to be able to bring people together around this critically important and sensitive work,” Ettinger said at the hearing.

In a special meeting of the Faculty Senate on June 26, Gallope said he is gravely concerned about the precedent this sets for the University’s future. 

“No individual at the University, whether student, staff or faculty should feel as though they could be punished for expressing their views,” Gallope said in the special meeting.

Gallope said the University should be a space where controversial issues can be openly debated without the risk of retaliation, like interference with established hiring practices and publicly retracting job offers. He said such actions can damage a scholar’s reputation.

“We can’t function as a University unless the Center can be a place where precisely this question of whether or not Israel is committing genocide is able to be discussed in a public forum,” Gallope said. “That’s exactly the work that the Center should be doing.”

Segal’s offer included both an administrative appointment as the Center’s director and a faculty appointment in the University’s History Department, according to Ettinger. 

In both the Board meeting and Faculty Assembly meeting, Ettinger differentiated between the administrative and faculty appointments. He said the president should not be involved in the appointment of faculty but may intervene in administrative appointments when they feel the appointment could interfere with the University’s mission.

In the special meeting on June 26, Ettinger said directorships are akin to those of deans, provosts and chancellors, where the Board confirms the administrative aspect of a position and faculty confirms the academic aspect.

Interim Center Director Joe Eggers said the directorship is multifaceted. It involves supporting communities and educators external to the University and cultivating the campus’ scholarly community.

The Board of Regents policy on Academic Freedom and Responsibility states faculty and staff have the freedom “to speak or write on matters of public concern as well as on matters related to professional duties and the functioning of the University.”

During the question portion of the special meeting June 26, when asked whether the work done as director of a research center like the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies would be protected by academic freedom, Provost Rachel Croson said, “I would assume if it were academic work it would be protected by academic freedom.”

In the special meeting, Ettinger said his decision to withdraw Segal’s offer and pause the search was made partly because the search proceeded without a community member on the search committee.

Ettinger also said Segal’s appointment was likely to disengage certain community groups. He added this could have significantly endangered the University’s mission, given the center’s director typically engages in conversations and involvement with the broader University community. 

Ettinger said other centers at the University, whose director search committees did not include a community member, do not have the same connection to the community as the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Therefore, he said the Center needs to consult the community in its search. 

Two faculty members of the Center’s Advisory Board voiced opposition to Segal’s hiring and resigned in protest. Those board members were University professors Karen Painter and Bruno Chaouat.

Painter said Segal’s viewpoint was extreme and made him the wrong candidate for a directorship where he would work with Holocaust survivors and their families. 

“You need somebody who is sensitive,” Painter said. “Who is a good listener.”

The final five candidates were announced via the Center’s email list of more than 5,000 individuals, including more than 3,000 with non-University emails, according to Gallope. These candidates then visited campus to give public talks and meet privately for discussions and interviews with the search committee and the Center’s advisory board. 

Advisory board members were able to give feedback on candidates via a Google form after smaller meetings between a given candidate, the search committee and the advisory board, Painter said.

Painter said she alerted search committee chair Evelyn Davidheiser early on in the process that Segal may be a “disastrous choice” for the broader community.

Painter said she believes her feedback was ignored and thought it would have been beneficial for the search committee to get additional feedback from the advisory board and community members.

In an interview with the Chronicle of Higher Education, Davidheiser said Segal presented a “clear set of strengths,” and advisory board members who supported his hiring admired that he wanted to do more for the Center than just invite speakers.

Davidheiser said that while the committee thought Segal’s views could be a barrier to building relationships, given his experience working with the community in his current position at Stockton University, they thought he would still have been an effective director.

In the special meeting, Ettinger said issues in the Middle East have been “the issue” on campuses nationwide this year. Given recent student protests and an investigation into antisemitism at the University, he said campus politics provided context for the decision. 

Gallope said it was inappropriate for Ettinger to consider political circumstances regarding this appointment. 

“Caving to pressure campaigns sends the message that the institutional leadership is weak and twists in the wind of political debates,” Gallope said. “We need the central administration to stand strong in the face of political pressure and defend academic freedom when it comes to controversial topics like genocide.”

Eggers said while the goal of his work is to raise the Center’s profile, it is unfortunate that these circumstances have generated attention to it. 

“We’re instead talking about a process that I think distracts from the overall work and the continued, really exciting work that the Center is doing,” Eggers said.

Gallope said Ettinger “shredded faculty trust in the administration,” and he hopes President Rebecca Cunningham will undo the damage of this decision. 

In an email sent to University faculty and staff July 15, Cunningham said she charged Croson with appointing a diverse faculty committee to create a shared understanding of the intersection of hiring policies and academic freedom. She also asked Croson to partner with faculty to discuss academic freedom and shared governance.

“I am optimistic these two forward-looking actions will help guide a path toward a stronger University ecosystem,” Cunningham said in the email.

Your personal brand is your career fingerprint. Uniquely yours, it’s a blend of skills, personality, and values that you bring to the table. Think of it not as a billboard but rather as a signature—a consistent mark of who you are across all mediums. For job seekers within creative sectors, the importance of personal branding can’t be overstated.

Crafting this identity goes far beyond a resume or portfolio—it’s about creating an essence that resonates with potential employers and clients alike. Where corporate branding relies on logos and slogans, personal branding is an ongoing narrative, one that showcases not just what you’ve done, but who you are.

Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/model-businessman-corporate-2911363/

The Pillars of Personal Branding: Defining Your Unique Value Proposition

At the core, personal branding rests on defining your unique value proposition (UVP). This is a clear statement that encapsulates what makes you an asset uniquely different from the rest. It’s not merely touting expertise; it’s about highlighting how your creative vision or approach to problem-solving sets you apart.

Reflect on past feedback—what have colleagues and clients always praised? Maybe it’s your knack for storytelling or revolutionary design concepts. Whatever it is, pinpoint these distinguishing traits and weave them into a narrative that positions you as a must-have asset in any project.

With a strong UVP, you lay the cornerstone for all other aspects of your brand to build upon.

Articulating Vision Through Narrative: Storytelling Your Career Journey

The narrative that frames your career is not just a chronology; it’s a crafted story with you as the protagonist. It’s about taking disparate experiences and weaving them into a coherent storyline that highlights growth, resilience, and innovation.

To do this effectively, start by identifying key milestones—projects where your distinct touch sparked success or challenges that honed your skills. Then, stitch these moments together in a way that exhibits not just progression but also purpose and passion.

By narrating your journey compellingly, you craft an image of a professional whose career is driven by intentionality, shaping how others perceive your past and imagine your future contributions – and making them eager to be part of the next chapter.

Distinguishing Your Creative Spark: Show, Don’t Just Tell 

Demonstrating your creative prowess isn’t limited to the words you speak or write—it’s also in what you show. Similar to how a lab-created diamond ring replicates the brilliance of its earth-mined counterpart, your digital presence should mirror the depth and sparkle of your real-world abilities.

Create an online portfolio that not only showcases your best work but also reflects your creative process and problem-solving skills. This could be a well-curated Instagram feed, a sophisticated personal website, or even a series of case studies on LinkedIn.

Each piece should resonate with the facets of your personal brand—innovative, aesthetic, impactful—and serve as tangible proof of your talents. Remember, in the realm where creativity meets career aspirations, showing is often more persuasive than telling.

Cultivating Connections: Networking with Authenticity

In the tapestry of your career, connections are the threads that bind opportunities to possibilities. Authentic networking is the art of cultivating relationships not solely for immediate gain but for mutual growth and shared success over time.

Begin by engaging with industry leaders whose work resonates with your ethos. Offer thoughtful insights on their published pieces or share their work within your circles. As you do, carve out a space where conversations can flourish—whether it’s through professional groups on social media sites like LinkedIn or local creative meetups (virtual ones count too).

Remember, genuine interest begets genuine connection; approach each interaction not as a transaction but as an exchange where both parties walk away enriched.

Like any worthwhile endeavor, authentic networking takes time but fosters invaluable allies and advocates along your journey of establishing your personal brand.

The post Crafting an Unforgettable Personal Brand for Job Seekers in Creative Industries appeared first on The Emory Wheel.

Don’t expect colleges and universities to replace stolen or damaged student property, but GradGuard’s College Renters Insurance can. PHOENIX (August 13, 2024): As students across the country prepare to return to college campuses, GradGuard, the number one provider of college tuition and renters insurance programs, urges families to consider how to protect themselves from the […]

With its idyllic location at 5th Street Market between two popular Eugene hotels and just a short distance from the University of Oregon, The Racks has been full of eager customers and vintage lovers since their opening in June.

Store owners Allyssa Corpuz and Dylan Harloff opened The Racks together and have been dating for seven and a half years. The pair moved to Eugene in 2022 where Corpuz began to pursue her studies in architecture at University of Oregon and is now in her final year.

Corpuz and Harloff started their vintage reseller journey on Depop in 2020, not expecting any of the vast growth that has come since. During this time, thrift stores had prohibited trying on and returning items, making shopping second hand infinitely more difficult.

Both Corpuz and Harloff had lost their jobs due to Covid and began listing their thrifted clothes that didn’t fit on Depop, making fast sales and expanding their brand quickly. In November of 2021, the pair took their newfound passion for selling vintage clothes to markets in Portland. In 2022, Corpuz and Harloff began selling their items outside of the EMU on the University of Oregon campus; every once in a while at first, then weekly.

The EMU provided an ideal setting for a business like theirs to thrive. Its centralized location on campus allowed a massive amount of exposure to the students. They also enjoyed being able to bring the second hand clothing experience to people that may not have the time to sort through thrift stores on their own. By reselling the pieces they find, Corpuz and Harloff eliminate the bulk of the process included in obtaining thrifted clothes, giving people access to fashionable second hand clothing who may not have had it otherwise.

“Going thrifting is hard. To find good stuff you have to go through every single rack and it takes like three hours at one store to go through everything and not a lot of people have that time,” Corpuz said. “You can come here instead and spend thirty minutes and find exactly what you want.”

After they had success at the EMU, Corpuz and Harloff continued to expand their business, attending different markets and doing frequent pop-up events. The EMU pop-ups were always extremely popular and successful; students were consistently eager to see the well-known and loved pair selling their finds and began asking them if they had a storefront. Corpuz and Harloff had been to over 100 markets and seen stores similar to The Racks in Portland but none in Eugene, so they decided to create their own space for the Eugene community. Having a storefront allowed them to sell in Eugene during the entire year rather than only during the academic calendar, and has also given Corpuz and Harloff an opportunity to meet and connect with Eugene locals that they likely wouldn’t have otherwise met.

Not only is The Racks student run and owned, it was also built and designed entirely by UO architecture students. When it came time to design their new storefront, Corpuz posted an inquiry on her social media for architecture students to participate in the construction. She put together a team of UO students to make the store come to life and even drew the blueprint and plans for the construction herself. With its expressive and colorful design, the store has an eclectic and modern feel to it, appearing as if it was entirely designed by seasoned professionals.

Sustainability and slow fashion is one of The Rack’s main goals as a store; they strive to spread to the community how important it is to shop second hand. Fashion is a major waste contributor, especially with the turnover of fads and trends.

“Buying second hand is so important now because of climate change and how bad waste is in general. The fast fashion industry has been ruining our earth with millions of clothes getting thrown in landfills every day,” Corpuz said.

If vintage clothing isn’t your style, The Racks also sells items in store from over 32 small businesses including reworked vintage items, jewelry, crocheted clothing, crocheted accessories and trinkets. Corpuz and Harloff have many friends with handmade small businesses and wanted to give handmakers like them a safe space to sell their products and spread their name.

“I love their stuff but I think there’s not as much opportunity for them to sell, especially compared to vintage vendors, so I wanted to give them their own handmade section in our store so that people can get their name out there,” Corpuz said.

Along with hosting other vintage reselling vendors in store, Corpuz and Harloff continue sourcing for clothes and accessories on their own. Sorting through garage sales, thrift stores and estate sales is one of their favorite things to do, discovering items like hidden treasure and seeing discarded clothes with a new perspective.

“You get to live in people’s past times,” Harloff said. “knowing they got this from somewhere in their life and now I’m finding it here.”

Another one of The Racks’ unique aspects is their dedication to making vintage and second hand clothing accessible to everyone, which they do by keeping their prices affordable and relative to the item’s value, with higher priced items solely consisting of rare or designer pieces.

A common trend nationwide among vintage and second hand resellers is to price basic and easily found items at extreme costs to increase profit, which decreases the accessibility of second hand fashion to people with lower budgets, especially students who are navigating new bills and costs. During their pop-up sales at the EMU, Corpuz and Harloff made a pact to keep their items below $30 with the intention of catering to college students and their needs.

“College is the time to find your own fashion; you’re living alone and experimenting,” Harloff said. “Making clothes accessible and affordable… that’s the one thing we try to hold ourselves to.”

Corpuz was interested in clothes and finding her style in high school, but the start of college was really when her journey with fashion began. Rather than confining herself to one aesthetic, Corpuz likes to incorporate bits of different trends and aesthetics to create her own style, emphasizing the versatility and malleability of fashion. Her favorite eras of fashion are the ‘90s and y2k styles, especially brands like Juicy Couture and Baby Phat.

Harloff’s interest in fashion began after moving to Eugene, recalling his high school style as a baseball player that usually wore sweatpants and a t-shirt. Once Corpuz started thrifting and selling more, Harloff began to find pieces that he liked and began sharing the passion for building his own style and searching for second hand fashion.

“If you look good you feel good, you know?” Harloff said.

His vintage favorites include the old Looney Tunes graphics, mens y2k fashion and brands like JNCO, Southpole, Ed Hardy and Paco.

Open seven days a week, The Racks has been gaining more and more customers every day. Corpuz and Harloff are excited to share their new storefront with the returning and incoming students this fall and plan on continuing to host pop-up sales at the EMU on campus throughout the academic year. In the meantime, they are dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive shopping experience that is quickly becoming a staple in the community. With their passion for second hand fashion and connection to the student and small business communities, The Racks continues to thrive as a place for people to find their unique styles.

The Forever coogs take a group picture after making it to the quarterfinals.|Raphael Fernandez/ The Cougar

In their first season together, Forever Coogs triumphed over Team Challenge ALS to clinch a spot in The Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals.

The Houston alumni team leveraged their home-court advantage, out-rebounding their opponents 37-28 and sealed the win with two clutch free throws by Melvin Frazier during a decisive 14-3 run to close the game.

TBT is an annual summer competition in the U.S. featuring an open-invitation, single-elimination format with a cash prize at stake. Since the beginning, the number of teams participating fluctuated but in recent years, it has settled at 64.

This year’s tournament began on July 19, featuring alumni teams from all over. Forever Coogs first matchup was against Austin’s Team and the Forever Coogs took the win home with a score of 71-60. Rob Gray led the team in scoring with a total of 21 points, followed by Wesley Van with 13 points and six rebounds.

Advancing to the quarterfinals, the Forever Coogs continued their undefeated run by defeating Challenge ALS 75-70. Despite being down the first half of the game, they quickly turned around to secure a 3-0 record.

Gray was the led the scoring with 23 points, going 3-7 from the three-point line, Justin Gorham with 12 points and six rebounds and Frazier with 11 points and eight rebounds leading the Coogs to their third victory in the tournament.

On Aug. 4, the Forever Coogs took a run in the final game against Carmen’s Crew, who held a 1-2 record.

The game started with Tashawn Thomas sinking a jump shot for the Coogs, but Carmen’s Crew quickly responded. In the final five minutes, the Coogs kept the game tight, trailing by just six points.

However, Carmen’s Crew ultimately took control in overtime, edging out the Coogs by two points.

Throughout the tournament, the Coogs averaged 73.3 points per game, shot 24.8% from three-point range, 77.7% from the free-throw line and recorded a 41.8% rebounding rate across their six games.

sports@thedailycougar.com

—
“Houston’s Forever Coogs make strong debut in TBT” was originally posted on The Cougar

Don’t expect colleges and universities to replace stolen or damaged student property, but GradGuard’s College Renters Insurance can.

PHOENIX (August 13, 2024): As students across the country prepare to return to college campuses, GradGuard, the number one provider of college tuition and renters insurance programs, urges families to consider how to protect themselves from the risks of college life.

College marks a significant milestone for many young adults, often representing their first taste of independence and newfound responsibilities. Among these responsibilities is the important task of safeguarding personal belongings, a consideration that may be new to many students.

“Students and families are smart be aware of the risks that come with living on or off campus,” said John Fees, co-founder and CEO of GradGuard. “The average college student brings thousands of dollars worth of personal property to campus, from laptops and bikes and more. The potential financial loss from theft or damage can be substantial.”

Recent Clery Act Reports reveal an alarming average of 24,000 crime and safety incidents are reported annually on college campuses. Over 3 million students living in on-campus housing are likely unaware that their college or university is unlikely to replace stolen or damaged personal property.

• 2,411 robberies were reported on average annually
• 1,840 fires were reported on average annually
• 20,521 burglaries were reported on average annually

This underscores the real risks students face, even in seemingly secure environments like residence halls or campus facilities.

GradGuard’s College Renters Insurance offers a solution tailored specifically to the needs of college students. Here are five compelling reasons why families are smart to consider renters protection:

1. Protection Against Theft: With thousands of reported incidents each year on college campuses nationwide, theft is a genuine concern.
2. Liability Coverage: Unintentional damage happens, especially in shared living spaces. Whether a sprinkler head discharges from a football being tossed around or a student left a candle burning overnight that caused a fire, renters insurance can protect students from financial liability for damage to their residence hall and to others’ property.
3. Affordability: GradGuard’s policies start with a flexible $100 deductible and no credit check, making College Renters Insurance an accessible option for budget-conscious students and families.
4. Worldwide Property Coverage: Protection extends beyond the residence hall, covering students’ belongings whether they’re studying abroad, visiting home on break, or anywhere in the world.
5. Valuable Financial Literacy: Insurance is a part of life, and a college renters insurance policy is often a student’s first insurance policy. Parents can have peace of mind knowing their student’s belongings are protected.

“College is a time for growth and learning, not worrying about replacing stolen or damaged property,” Fees added. “Our goal at GradGuard is to provide affordable, student-focused coverage with no sneaky “gotchas” allowing students to focus on their education.”

For more information about GradGuard’s College Renters Insurance and to explore available policies, visit www.gradguard.com/renters.

###

About GradGuard:

GradGuard is the authority on helping schools educate and protect students from the risks of college life. As the #1 provider of college tuition and renters insurance, GradGuard’s pioneering protections have served more than 1.7 million students at more than 1,900 unique institutions.

GradGuard’s national technology platform embeds its innovative insurance protections within the enrollment processes of more than 600 institutions in the United States, helping schools increase college completion and reduce the cost of college by reducing preventable financial losses.

Contact:

Natalie Hubertus
Sr. Director, Marketing
602-341-5947
nhubertus@gradguard.com

Feel that? That’s reality hitting. Sunday marks the end of brat summer as the fall semester begins Monday the 19th. But don’t fret, stars, we’re here to get you through it. The planets have concocted the perfect storm of excitement, inspiration and stress with Mercury retrograding its way back into the sign of Leo. Mars and Jupiter will be in conjunction in Gemini midweek. Tensions are high, but this is your cosmic reminder to pick your battles wisely this week.

Love,

A Pisces Sun, Aries Moon, Taurus Rising

Aries (March 21 – April 19):

You know how to work hard and play harder. The planets are passing through your houses of work, health, routines and pleasure, asking you to reassess your work/life balance. Putting off homework to doomscroll and then pulling an all-nighter to finish your work isn’t going to cut it this semester. How you spend your days is how you spend your life, Aries. 

Aries’s survival guide: Fix your sleep schedule, plan time with your favorite people and make room in your semester for self-care.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20):

The sun is illuminating your home and family this week, bringing an urge to nest. Whether you’re just down the street or 1,000 miles from home, Fort Collins is becoming your headquarters until December. Now is the time to resolve that issue with you know who, make your space as cozy as possible and nurture your soul. You deserve a relaxed life, Taurus.

Taurus’s survival guide: Wander the home decor section of Target, make comfort food, work it out on the remix and show your new home some love — just do you.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20):

This week, you’re all about expressing yourself. The sun in your communication sector has you feeling curious and expressive, but your ruling planet Mercury in retrograde could cause interpersonal issues. Some texts are best left as drafts, Gemini. Use your inventive spirit elsewhere.

Gemini’s survival guide: Journal it out, use your inside voice, deep dive into a project you’re working on and delete the paragraph you drafted in your notes app.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22):

It’s a great week to revisit your money matters. Mercury retrograde is urging you to be more financially responsible, but don’t panic! Jupiter and Mars are revving up your intuition right now, you don’t need to become the resident finance bro to be successful. Trust your gut, Cancer.

Cancer’s survival guide: Track your spending, make a budget and stick to it, be wary of lending money and take practical steps toward financial stability.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22):

Is it hot in here, or is that just you? Venus is adding a touch of sweetness to your material resources, Jupiter and Mars are boosting your social circles and the sun in your sign has you glowing from within. Later in the week you might feel inspired to take on whatever project you’re working on, and you’d be wise to make the most of it. The world is your oyster, Leo.

Leo’s survival guide: Be unapologetically you, grab brunch with your besties, wear your best outfit to Lucky Joe’s Sidewalk Saloon and make moves toward your dream life.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 23):

Releasing control isn’t really your forte, but this is a time of ultimate surrender for you. The sun is illuminating your spirituality and old wounds along with it. You have the opportunity to see yourself more clearly right now and explore new spiritual practices.  Dealing with your pain is an act of self love, Virgo.

Virgo’s survival guide: Meditate, explore Nature’s Own in Old Town, pay a witch on TikTok to tell your fortune, but most of all, take care of your mental health.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22):

Say it with me now: “Not my circus, not my monkeys.” With the sun highlighting your social circles, drama is on the rise. Usually your desire for peace gives you the courage to mediate, but courage and stupidity are interchangeable right now. Mercury retrograde might be blocking the big picture, so don’t be afraid to turn on Do Not Disturb and save the sticky conversations for later. Rest and reflect, dearest Libra.

Libra’s survival guide: Take time for self-care, stay in your lane, blast your good vibes playlist and reflect on how you want to show up in your relationships.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21):

While everyone around you is complaining about classes starting again, you’re ready to lock in. The planets are bringing focus to your professional goals and giving you the extra luck you need to make progress. You want to be the person in charge, read every book, check everything off your to-do list and more, but remember, Mercury might bring setbacks. Rome wasn’t built in a day, Scorpio. You have time.

Scorpio survival guide: Go after that job you’ve been secretly wanting, ask for that pay raise, stay disciplined, celebrate your progress so far and all that will come.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21):

Nobody wants to admit it, but we all know you are the wise owl of the zodiac. You’re on top of your game lately, giving great advice, excited for adventure, ready to complete goals and preparing to crush this semester. However, Mercury retrograde might have you spinning your wheels. Don’t sweat it, take time to be adaptable and control what you can. Luck is on your side, Sagittarius.

Sagittarius survival guide: Stay flexible, let yourself wander, take baby steps toward your goals and prepare for setbacks.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19):

Over the summer, the planets have been pushing you to make meaningful life changes for the better. Now is the perfect time to reflect on what’s working, and what’s not. Self-awareness isn’t just holding yourself accountable for the negative, it’s about recognizing your talents and beauty as well. Don’t bring old issues into the new semester, Capricorn, great things await.

Capricorn survival guide: Embrace change, be your own hype man, transform daily routines and stop avoiding.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18):

You’re no stranger to “it’s not you, it’s me,” but in this case, it’s probably you. The planets have been drudging through your social circles, romantic conquests and reputation as of late and asking you to reassess your role within them. I hate to be the one to tell you that your crush can’t read your mind, but you had to hear it from someone, Aquarius.

Aquarius survival guide: Communication is key, reconnect with friends, text them first and stay humble through any retrograde chaos.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20):

We all feel like dissociating right now, but you’re going to have to get your head out of the clouds and join us sooner or later. The spotlight has been on your well-being routines lately and Mercury retrograde is asking you to pinpoint how you can live a healthier life and the obstacles that keep you from it. Consider this your note of encouragement, Pisces, start now.

Pisces survival guide: Clarify your goals and what you’re doing to achieve them, be present and, seriously, take a tolerance break.

Reach Sophia Masia at entertainment@collegian.com or on Twitter @CSUCollegian