u/Funny_Fanatic

Hi everyone,

I applied for my OPT/EAD on April 29, 2026, and selected August 8, 2026 as my EAD start date. However, after applying, I received a job offer and the employer wants me to start on June 15 right after graduation.

I tried asking if they could extend the joining date, but unfortunately they are unable to wait until August.

Does anyone know if it’s possible to change the OPT/EAD start date after the application has already been submitted to USCIS? If yes, what does the process look like? Would I need to withdraw and reapply, or is there another way?

I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences from people who went through something similar. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’ve been trying to improve my hair routine, and I keep seeing videos about how important it is to apply products evenly. A lot of people recommend sectioning your hair, so I tried following Abby Yung’s method where she applies everything section by section.

But every time I do this, my hair ends up looking really weighed down and flat. I did try to adjust it for my hair type, I used only a tiny amount of product in each section and didn’t overload it. I’ve tried this with conditioner and heat protectant as well, but the result is always the same.

I also see people spraying heat protectant very generously, but if I do that, my hair looks awful and greasy.

I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. Is sectioning not suitable for certain hair types? Do you guys section your hair when applying products, or just apply it normally?

Also, I find it hard to apply heat protectant evenly to each section, is that necessary, or is it okay to apply it more generally?

Hi everyone,

I’m a student in Chicago and I’ve been thinking about finally seeing a dermatologist, but I’m a bit worried about the cost.

I’ve had acne since my teenage years and I’ve tried a lot of things, but nothing has really worked long-term. I also have PCOD, which makes it even harder to manage.

I know dermatologists can be expensive, so before I decide anything, I wanted to ask if anyone here has visited one in Chicago. How much did it cost you for the first visit and follow-ups? Was it worth it?

If you know any affordable or student-friendly dermatologists, I would really appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you so much!

Hi everyone,

I have fine wavy hair with medium-ish density, not very thick. Because my hair is fine, my roots get oily pretty quickly, so I have to wash it every other day. I also really like the blowout look, so I usually use a blow-drying brush even though I know heat isn’t the best for my hair.

The problem is that my hair ends up looking dry, rough, and full of flyaways. And when it’s humid, it honestly looks even worse. I see people with really smooth, shiny hair and I can’t help but compare because mine never looks like that.

I’ve tried following advice from influencers, but most of them suggest using a lot of products and my hair gets weighed down really easily, so that doesn’t work for me. I recently tried switching to a hydrating shampoo (Loreal Elvive Hyaluron), but it made my hair feel flat and heavy, which I didn’t like at all.

At this point I feel a bit stuck because I want that smooth and shiny look, but without making my hair greasy or losing volume.

Also, are there any treatments people get that make hair look smooth and shiny without making it pin straight or flat? I know about keratin treatments, but they seem to make hair very straight, and I still want to keep some natural movement. I really like that soft, shiny look (like what you often see with south korean drama), but not completely straightened.

If anyone has similar hair or has figured this out, I would really appreciate your help.

Also sharing my current routine below in case that helps, please feel free to suggest any changes.

Current routine:

Shampoo – Nizrol and Panteene clarifying (twice a month)

Conditioner –Dove intense repair

Leave-in –loreal

Serum/oil- Garnier

Heat protectant - living proof(very small amount)