LIFE

Remember CollegeFashionista, the fab fashion website starring real girls at colleges and universities nationwide? Last month, they spilled their best styling suggestions for V-Day...and now they're back to share their chic expertise about all things college and careers; key things to keep in mind as you start to think about the future. Read on for their best real-world tips and tricks! (And, of course, for their spring style guide—they just can't help but share the #StyleGuruLove.) 

Name: Melissa Steen (pictured above) 
School attended: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Current position: Visual Merchandiser at the Abercrombie & Fitch Home Office
Career goal: I'd like to be in charge of a major fashion brand one day!
'Real world' real talk: Stay organized! Whether you create a daily checklist or block time out on your calendar, find a system that works best for you and stick to it. Personally, I've found that staying organized is the key to success.
Something you wish you had known in college? Money doesn't grow on trees, so it's super important to start saving early. Every little bit adds up, so even if you can only afford to save $20 a month right now, that's fine. That $240 a year will add up and can be put towards something useful in the future.
When it comes to spring style…I love the idea of transitioning staple winter pieces into your spring ensemble. Now that we are easing into warmer weather, I've been pairing my winter booties with cute dresses or throwing a blanket scarf on over jeans and a tee. Don't feel like you have to have a whole new wardrobe for spring. Make do with what you have right now, and slowly start to build on your wardrobe as the weather gets nicer.

Name: Kylie Peterson
School attended: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Current position: Director of Communications at Jill Stuart
Career goal: I want to continue to immerse myself in the world of public relations, while also expanding my knowledge on social media strategy and digital marketing
'Real world' real talk: Start a budget and do your best to stick to it. I recently met with a financial adviser and it was such a liberating, educational experience.
Something you wish you had known in college? Go to office hours! I didn't do it enough, but the professors I visited even a handful of times throughout the semester are the ones I still talk to today.
When it comes to spring style…I'm traditionally a pretty minimal dresser, but I love the idea of styling subtle floral prints and feminine shapes with sportier accessories, like a flowy dress with a sneaker or a silk slip dress with a bomber jacket. It's not necessarily a novel concept, but it never fails to look effortlessly cool.

Name: Erika Harwood
School attended: University of Michigan
Current position: Writer at MTV News
Career goal: I'd love to be a writer/editor at a magazine like V or CR Fashion Book—or Vogue, of course.
'Real world' real talk: Make to-do lists! I never accomplish anything when I don't.
Something you wish you had known in college? What you major in isn't that important when it comes to getting a job (and neither are your grades, but you didn't hear it from me). 
When it comes to spring style…I'm loving off-the-shoulder tops!  

Name: Courtney Pelot
School attending: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Past internships: College Fashionista editorial and social media intern, Neely by VNB
Career goal: In June, I will be competing in the Miss Wisconsin pageant, where I’m hoping to earn the job of Miss Wisconsin and opportunity to serve the dairy state for the next year. I’m a Communications major and have a love for politics, so my long term goal is to work as the Communications Director for a presidential campaign and then work as the White House Communications Director.
Favorite school/study tip? Always, always, always have snacks in your school bag. I keep a variety of granola bars, protein bars, bags of seeds and nuts and fresh fruit in my backpack or purse because nothing can be accomplished on an empty stomach!
When it comes to spring style…I’m into trendy slip-on sneakers for the spring. As someone who is always on the go and puts in the steps walking round campus, these shoes are both easy to slip into on the way out the door and are comfortable for long days.

Name: Laurise McMillian
School attending: University of Baltimore
Past internships: Seventeen, Elle, MTV, Girls' Life
Career goal: I love social media and digital media, so I think I’d either want to work in a social media department or a web editorial department for a fashion or entertainment-related company.
Favorite school/study tip? Make to-do lists every day. I do it every night before bed, and it keeps me on track for the next day.
When it comes to spring style…think outside the box! Just because it’s spring doesn’t mean you have to do florals; mix it up with fun new prints.

Want to join the CollegeFashionista #GuruGang this summer? Apply online at http://styleon.cf/X9pWAY for a chance to become a Style Guru!

by Girls' Life + CollegeFashionista | 3/22/2016