Hilary Cairns

Hilary Cairns is a graduate of SUNY New Paltz and has a BA in English/Creative Writing. She's an established freelance writer who also has a hand in marketing, social media, and editing for various businesses across the United States.
5 plates in a dinnerware sets
student life

4 Dinnerware Sets for College Students

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
At no extra cost to you, College Raptor may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.  Sometimes you don’t want to eat at the campus dining hall and would rather cook or order some take out meals. If you’re planning on making some meals in your dorm or want all of your …
Student looking at research about Myers Briggs types
college majors & minors

Majors for Different Myers Briggs Types

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on August 24, 2023
Have you ever taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) assessment? It’s an assessment that will help you determine your type of personality. The test breaks personalities into 16 different types. You can find forms of it across the internet, including here if you’ve never taken it before. These tests have been said to help students …
dorm furniture
student life

Futon Alternatives: 5 Pieces of College Dorm Furniture

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on July 1, 2023
At no extra cost to you, College Raptor may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.  A futon may be a classic college staple, but what if you want something a bit different? There are plenty of other options for you to check out! Here are 5 pieces of dorm furniture to …
Magnifying glass on paper is one way to find inspiration for common app prompts
college applications

How to Find College App Essay Inspiration

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Are you struggling to find a topic for your college application essay? It isn’t always easy to settle on one idea, especially if the school didn’t give you a common app prompt. These three tips will help you find inspiration for your essay. Brainstorm One of the best things you can do for your college …
room heater
student life

4 Toasty Room Heater Options for Your College Dorm

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on June 30, 2023
At no extra cost to you, College Raptor may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.  Your dorm room may get a bit chilly from time to time! If the dorm’s heater isn’t keeping you warm enough, it may be time to consider a room heater. These four will do the trick, …
Student doing ACT / SAT prep
ACT & SAT

Daily ACT / SAT Prep Tips and Tricks

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
Although you should be setting aside a few hours every week to devote to ACT and SAT prep leading up to your test date, it doesn’t hurt to do a bit of studying on your off days. These daily tips will take just a few minutes every day, but can keep your mind fresh between …
dorm accessories
student life

5 Handy Dorm Accessories for Your Bed

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
At no extra cost to you, College Raptor may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.  As a college student, you probably spend a lot of time on your dorm bed. Aside from sleeping, you might do your studying or watch a movie from the comfy spot. These five dorm accessories will …
message board
college search

5 Message Board Options for Dorm Rooms

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
At no extra cost to you, College Raptor may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.  You and your dorm mates probably have very different class schedules. During the day, it can be difficult to get a hold of one another. You can always text, but you also don’t want to text …
A person holding a marker against a checklist.
college admissions

How to Finalize Your College Application Checklist

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022
You have a list of colleges you’re interested in, but which do you apply to? You may have a list of 20 schools, but that doesn’t mean you should apply to all 20. Instead, you want to take time time to finalize your list. Here are some tips for ticking off your college application checklist. …