Four months ago my editor asked me to find out some information on the current situation in Darfur. While I quickly obliged, my first course of action was not to find student activists, but rather to research what he was talking about in the first place.

Darfur? Is that a place?

I looked and looked, and at last found a student at Brandeis who was active in a campaign urging the United States to divest from Darfur, which, I found out, is a region in the Sudan. But I guess you already knew that. Maybe that is because since my research adventure four months ago, more and more students around the nation are finding out about the grave situation in Darfur: the hundreds of thousands of people being killed; the women being raped; the starvation.

But why now? Why not three months ago? Or, where were all the Darfur sympathizers back in 2003 when this entire situation began? Why was there no media attention then?

Perhaps George Clooney is the reason. Clooney is a superstar. He is sexy, talented and loved by of millions Americans ' not to mention the paparazzi. Had it not been for Clooney's appeal to the U.N. to send help to Darfur ' and the media's obsession with covering his every move ' the situation may never have made it into the minds and hearts of so many Americans.

The same goes for Angelina Jolie and the attention she brings to human rights causes.

And Oprah Winfrey and her own network set up to help underprivileged people in the world.

Sarah Jessica Parker and her devotion to UNICEF.

Bono and his relentless work in Africa.

Bill Clinton and his contributions to finding a cure for and relief from AIDS.

And, yes, even Jessica Simpson's work with Operation Smile, an organization set up to help children born with cleft pallets.

These projects have all thrived since celebrities took them under their wings. Having a celebrity endorse or support a cause is the most promising way to draw attention and aid to that cause. Celebrities bring cameras; celebrities bring attention; celebrities bring help.

I used to hate all those dumb movie stars and musical artists who would get up before a group of people and endorse a project or scoop out food for the homeless on Thanksgiving. 'It is only a photo op,' I would whine. But after seeing the effect Clooney has had on the situation in Darfur, I can no longer judge a celebrity's motives. If it is a press ploy, who cares? Those pictures are doing more than just publicizing the person ' they are bringing to light an issue that may not have been known before, and one that needs immediate aid.

It is unfortunate that my Brandeis friend and his campaign did very little for the situation in Darfur. It is even more unfortunate that it took so long for people to even learn about said situation. Thankfully, though, we have influential people using their power for good, even if it is just for a photo opportunity.

If you would like to help out one of the above causes (even if it is just because you find their celebrity advocate totally hot), visit the following:
Send aid to Darfur: www.savedarfur.org
Donate money to help children with cleft pallets: www.operationsmile.org
Help children around the world:
www.unicef.org
Improve the lives of those in poverty: www.oprahsangelnetwork.org
Stop the AIDS epidemic: www.clintonfoundation.org

You thought picking a prom date was hard? Try picking a college. It is no easy task. The decision you make will not only affect the next four (or five) years of your life, but will also decide the next 80 or 90! Where you go to college plays a part in determining who your friends will be, what your career will be and maybe even who your husband or wife will be. Where you end up and what kind of person you become may also be chosen based on what college you go to.

Whoa. That's a lot of pressure.

How do you choose!?

Take a deep breath, grab some soda and relax. Really, it's easy; you just have to do your work:

1. Ask around: No one knows the college scene better than college students and graduates. So, ask them. They really are the best resource. Find out why they went to a school (Was it sports or social life? Academics or ass?), what they liked and disliked about their school, and tips they may have for you while you spend the next few months deciding. Students and graduates will give you the most honest answers ' the stuff you won't find in a college guide book.

2. Visit the Career Center: Most high schools have one. Most students never step foot in one. Be a trendsetter and head on over to talk to the person in charge. Not only do they love having students come by to keep them from mind-numbing boredom, but they are also experts in all things college and can really help you make a decision. The career center should be the first place you go because they can tell you what you need to do before you choose a school ' applications, financial aid, graduation requirements ' as well as give you hundreds of college catalogs to peruse, study and aid you in your decision-making process.

3. Campus Visits: I know, I know ' you don't want to be that dorky high school senior walking through a cool college campus with your parents and your varsity jacket. How embarrassing! But, visiting a college campus is really the only way to get a feel for a school ' and, trust me, you need to feel it. The college books, websites and catalogs are all great for informational purposes, but they really don't show you what being on a campus is truly like. Going to a school, walking around, visiting classes, seeing the students interact and feeling the spirit of the college experience at each campus plays a huge part in a lot of people's decisions. And, while you are there, don't be embarrassed to ask the tour guide questions; they signed up for the job for a reason and they love talking about their school. So, leave the varsity jacket at home, bring the parents (they will pay for your meals!) and get to campus (all of them!).

4. Read: Books, websites and surveys are a great way to get a lot of general information fast. These are great resources for people who have no clue about what school they may want to go to, or what they are even looking for in a school. The information tends to be a bit skewed (it is promotional material, after all), but it is a great source of facts, stats and data.

5. Surf: New websites like Princeton Review's 'Counselor-O-Matic' (http://www.princetonreview.com)have students fill out a form with their interests and desires for college. Then, based on what each student enters, the program produces a list of schools that match what students are looking for. Genius!

This may seem like a lot of work, but the biggest decisions in life often do take a little sweat. Senioritis may be kicking in right about now, but that is no reason to make this decision lightly. Sure, stop doing your math homework. Fine, skip history every day this week. Just do not, under any circumstances, leave the college choice to fate. The last thing you want is an awful four years followed by an even more miserable 90. College is the best time of your life. It is worth every bit of struggle, hassle and minute spent with your parents on a campus tour.

Any questions? Email Lauren@teamcoed.com.

Looking for that first apartment after college graduation is a big moment. There are so many exciting possibilities and even more hindrances. Not knowing what you’re looking for can make the process exhausting and seem pointless. But, with the right research and proper understanding of what to look for, anyone can find an apartment with confidence.

Before You Go:

Contrary to popular belief, the quest for the perfect living space starts long before you hit the streets with an over-charging leasing agent. The first thing to consider when looking for an apartment is how long you are going to live in this space. This question will determine what kind of lease you need: Most leases entail at least a one-year commitment. So if this is too long for you, consider a sublet or a month-to-month lease. Next, avoid renter’s remorse by realistically thinking about how much space you need. Note: There is a large difference between need and want. You may want an apartment with a living room large enough for a beer pong tourney, but do you need it? This also goes for amenities. Can you really afford (or need) a private roof-top terrace on that executive assistant salary?
The next thing to consider is roommates. Do you want em? Do you need em? Living with a roommate is much cheaper than living alone. Not only can you get a bigger space for your money, but you can share expenses like cable and furniture. Ask friends if they know of anyone who is looking for a roommate or apartment. If they don’t know anyone, check out websites like roommates.com or craigslist.com. These are great sites to find someone to find an apartment with, or someone with an apartment looking to fill a room. Just be careful: make sure you meet these people before making any promises. We all know there are a lot of weirdo's out there!

Once you're done researching roommates, research and explore different neighborhoods. What kind of environment you want to live in? A neighborhood with many young families? Or hot young professionals? You can ask around, but when making a big decision like where to live, it is best to really feel an area out yourself. Also be sure to investigate the rents in that area, which will obviously be a deciding factor in whether you can live there.

On the Road:

Now you (and possibly your awesome new craigslist.com roommate) are ready to begin viewing apartments. Make appointments with brokers and check out listings online (local newspaper or the amazing craigslist.com) in order to find out what is available, then get ready to run. When preparing to go and see apartments, pack a bag: bring your checkbook, two recent bank statements, last year’s tax return (first page and the signature page) two recent pay stubs, letter of employment, letter of reference from a previous landlord or their contact information, tape measurer, camera and notebook. Seem excessive? It's not. In some cities, apartment units can be snatched up in one day, even one hour. You have to be ready to sign a lease on the spot, so the more prepared you are, the better your chances.

When viewing a model apartment, keep a look out for any imperfections. Not inspecting an apartment before moving in can result in serious safety hazards. There are various things to keep in mind before signing that lease:
' Always insist on seeing the actual apartment, occupied or not.
' When taking the walk-through of the apartment, check for new paint, clean-looking and -smelling rugs and wall holes.
' Appliances should be working and clean.
' Electrical outlets outlets and fans should be running and not loose. (Loose electrical outlets are fire hazards.)
' Inspect all water outlets for leaks. Make sure the water temperature isn't too hot or too cold, the pressure is good, the drains do not stop up and toilets flush properly.
If you find any problems with the apartment, make sure to report them to the leasing/management office as soon as possible.

Security is the most important thing when apartment-hunting. You can't make an apartment a home if you don't feel safe. Verify that the apartment's security is approved to meet local standards to deter forced entry. Each window should have at least two types of locks, and main doors should have deadbolts and peep holes. Regarding outdoor security, corridors and walkways should be adequately lit. Check to see that fire extinguishers are charged and accessible and that fire alarms are installed and tested. Once you're done asking about the apartment's security, check crime reports from police for the apartment's area. (Note: If you are in a city like New York where you have to decide on the spot, you may not be able to go to such lengths. But, if you check out the neighborhood in advance, you will have a good idea of how safe it is.)

Take It!

Once you find the apartment you love, you must sign the lease. Do some online research into tenants’ rights, what should be included in a lease, and anything else you may need to know (these are different in every state). Make sure to read the whole thing and even pass it along to your parents to give it a once-over; you don't want any surprises down the road. Dot your 'I's' and cross your 'T's' and then head out to the bar for a celebratory cocktail!

I heard you were a fan of rejection. No? Didn't think so. So like the rest of the male population, this probably means that if you ask a girl out and get denied faster than MC Hammer's credit cards, you might feel pretty crappy.

But unless you've used the worst pick-up line ever, the rejection may not be your fault. Think hormones, for instance. Or one of these factors that might have nothing to do with you:

She's Off-the-Market
Hopefully, she'll just say right away that she has a boyfriend, just to save you some time and humiliation. That's if she's nice. Otherwise, she'll probably manipulate you. After all, she can have sex whenever she wants just by snapping her fingers. Can you?

She's Got History
Any phrase that involves the words 'break from dating' or 'need to understand myself' means she's been hurt. Try being her friend first. You can aim for the next level once she 'understands herself.'

She's a Flirt
Many women are perpetual flirters. Nothing boosts their self-esteem like a little (or a whole lot of) male attention. Steer clear of these women, unless you thoroughly enjoy women's sexual power being thrown in your face.

She's Just Not That Into You
She might not be into you. Period. Move on to find the one who is.

You've followed the Patriots forever ' you wear a Troy Brown jersey every game and love Tom Brady (especially when his helmet is off). But your boyfriend is a Patriots FAN. Scratch that ' he is a FOOTBALL FAN: He talks about football and nothing else from Saturday through Tuesday; is in a fantasy football league; and knows every play that Bill Belichick (the Patriots' coach) ever ran. You can in no way (seriously) compete with the love of his life, football.

You can, however, understand his obsession, more so than he will ever understand why you use an eyelash curler.

Ever wonder why guys will race to chug an entire gallon of milk, despite the fact that they know they'll puke in 20 seconds? Because all guys are competitive. They play vicariously through their team, meaning that a Steelers' win or a Roethlisberger sack could determine their mood for the entire day.

The coaches are everything boys want to be ' strong and in control, which is why they coach their team along as they sit on a couch, becoming Monday-morning quarterbacks. Never question your guy when he says he could have made that pass ' always tell him he definitely would have.

Every player has to perform their exact task to win, making this team sport both intense and intricate. Boys want to be involved in every second of the game, so don't even try to make out with him while he's watching. He won't talk to you for a week if he misses a touchdown pass.

Walk into any bar, and you might hear absolute enemies sounding like best friends if they're both Redskins fans because they have a common bond. They also have something to talk about and analyze for the duration of the game and beyond. And who doesn't want to scream at a TV while downing a beer with a complete stranger?

Your class got cancelled, so you decided to surprise your boyfriend by stopping by his room. A quick knock on the door, turn of the knob ' and a sky-high jump from your boyfriend. The crash of the latest issue of Playboy that just fell onto the floor was also a nice touch.

A million thoughts are probably running through your head (not to mention his), and at the first is probably that he isn't turned on by you anymore. But before you rush to this conclusion, try to realize what exactly masturbation means to guys.

Your boyfriend was in his room alone not just because you and his roommate were busy, but because he wanted privacy. Solo sex is totally different, and the time alone may be just what he needed.

And when he's by himself, there's no performance anxiety. He may just want to be pleasured without having to worry about being good in bed.

This doesn't mean he wants to make you feel bad or unworthy, but he might need to let go of his anxieties, a time when personal space is all the more important. And Playboy helps him do that in about 12 seconds.

And don't worry about that issue of Playboy too much, either. It's not that he isn't attracted to you any more; it's just that the single page in the magazine enhances his privacy. After all, the paper doesn't talk back.