Rediscover Yourself and Your Town

November 5th, 2025

We are always waiting. Waiting for an event that takes place next week, month, year. Waiting for a trip or to graduate, and to graduate again. Waiting to hear back from a job or waiting for a horrible shift to just be over.

Even as children we wait for adulthood eagerly, no matter how many adults tell you not to grow up too fast. You can’t stop the daydreaming child from missing out on their present, but you, present you, can enjoy the current moment as an adult. 

We have to stop waiting. This is a lesson I’ve learned, surprisingly, from living at home. As a commuter it can feel like you are missing out on college. Instead of trying to make the experience fun, I found myself waiting for post grad to feel independent. I truly thought I had to wait until I had an apartment or a home to have fun, but really what is stopping me from having fun right now? 

So my perspective shifted and I forced myself to go out more. Sometimes by myself to cafes and parks, other times to bars with friends. I try to make the most of being at home, hosting slumber parties just like when I was a kid. I see my family members everyday and have movie nights with my mom. These moments I will miss one day, so I am enjoying them to the fullest.

One day a couple years from right now, you are going to be reminiscing on where you are right now. I think about this a lot. It doesn’t always have to be the rapid go, go, go. This mindset really pushes me to enjoy where I am at presently, even when that feels hard to do. 

Go to your local lakes and ponds. Go see the museums nearby. Rediscovering your town will truly feel like rediscovering yourself. Where you are right now is your present, so enjoy it to the fullest. Decorate your room, even if it is your childhood bedroom. Make art and do hobbies you love. There is truly no time like the present, why waste it waiting? 

Even though I have lived in one area my entire life there is still so much of it I haven’t seen. I have made it my goal to become an actual local. I want to be able to give recommendations to people that I didn’t just look up on Google or Tiktok. The only way to have real recommendations is to experience it yourself. 

Commuting can feel stagnant, but it is a time for growth and solidifying real connections. I lived on campus, and I have discovered some friendships are just a form of object permanence. If you aren’t right in front of some people, you don’t exist. It is something I have had to learn. While it isn’t easy to let go of friendships I have made old friendships stronger and new friends. We have to put in effort to see each other, and we do so. I am confident that the friends I have now I will have long after college, and this is quite a relief. 

I am enjoying the present, and I enjoy the struggles of college and commuting. One day I am confident that I will feel nostalgic for it-just as I feel nostalgic for all of my past eras. 

By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.

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Just Around the Corner: Thin Cookies

November 2nd, 2025

Sometimes we all just need a sweet treat. Sometimes the pastries and baked goods in New York City are six dollars each. As a student with a strict budget, I can’t spend an absurd amount of money on desserts, let alone meals in general. Just around the corner from New York University is a small, bright yellow shop, selling their own unique take on a classic dessert. Thin Cookies is known for exactly what their name expresses.

One afternoon, after our classes, my friend Alonso and I picked up a dozen thin cookies and ate them in Washington Square Park. Their prices were much more affordable and reasonable compared to many popular cookie spots. There are flavors that remain a staple on the menu, available to customers every week, while others are seasonal and rotate out. We decided to try a mixture of both the classics and temporary picks.

Our first cookie was the chocolate chip, followed by the much darker in color, double chocolate.

“It’s soft, chewy, with the chocolate slightly melted,” Alonso noted. “It’s thin, buttery, and I could eat 6 of these. Perfect level of sweetness. The double chocolate kinda tastes the same as the last one but amazing, a slight increase in chocolate but not over bearing.”

Next was the golden perfection of everyone’s favorite fall-themed and festive dessert: the snickerdoodle. This cookie was my personal favorite and was the highlight of this dessert flight.

“It was so so good–perfect mix of cinnamon and sugar. Very light. I could eat a whole box of these and still want more,” my friend commented.

Coconut, Alonso’s personal favorite, was another soft and buttery sweet treat. We ate two.

“Coconut flakes. Perfect amount of sweetness. It had bits of coconut adding to the texture and emboldening the taste,” he said.

Because Alonso hates bananas, and everything bananas, he wasn’t a fan of the seasonal banana pudding cookie. I thought it was scrumptious and airy.

“Taking away my bias, I will say it taste exactly like banana pudding. So if you are a fan of it, you will love it,” Alonso admitted.

For students looking to try affordable sweet treats near the New York University area, they can head over to Thin Cookies for a wide range of flavors. Make sure to say the Campus Clipper sent you, as they have rotating deals for students when they show their valid student ID.

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You can’t commute from across the world

October 22nd, 2025
Lugano, Switzerland

If I had to give one piece of advice to students entering college, commuting or not, it would be to study abroad. 

I give this advice with adequate experience as I have studied abroad twice. During my sophomore year (Fall 2023) I spent a semester in the Netherlands. Emerson College has a unique program called Kastell Well. In this program you live in a castle in a rural part of the country close to Germany. The medieval castle was beautiful and the surrounding village was full of kind people and many small farms. We travelled practically every weekend to different European cities, so coming back to the peaceful Dutch countryside was a respite. 

Kasteel Well. The Netherlands campus of Emerson College

I loved being abroad so much, but the castle was Emerson’s main program. There are many other shorter ones but I wanted to get more credits out of the trip. Luckily we have an expansive abroad department. Through some quick research I discovered Emerson was involved in exchange programs with different schools. I applied for two, one in Spain and one in Switzerland. Ultimately I decided to only continue with my Switzerland application and a few months into my junior year I discovered I was chosen to participate in the exchange program. In the second half of my junior year (Spring 2025) I went to Europe again, this time staying in Lugano, Switzerland. Lugano is named after the large lake the city resides on, Lake Lugano. It is beautiful and surrounded by mountains. The everyday view I had walking to classes was unreal. Switzerland has three different national languages, German, French, and Italian, these are based on what part of Switzerland you reside in. My temporary school, Franklin University, was in the Italian region. Lugano was extremely close to Italy, and we found ourselves going often. 

Being abroad was the best experience of my life. I travelled all of the time; by the end of my two semesters I had visited 14 European countries, some more than once. I had been to museums that I learned about as a child and saw artifacts from history books. I saw the paintings and actual brush strokes on the canvas of Van Gogh and Rembrandt.  

I made friends from all over the world. I hiked a mountain by myself and ate pasta in Italy and pierogies in Poland. Basically, it was an unreal experience that I couldn’t have gotten any other way. 

Both of the times I was abroad there was academic travel. We would go with professors to see what we were learning about. At Emerson we went to Amsterdam and Prague. At Franklin I went to Sicily for my organized crime class– it was a highlight of my trip. Being able to see firsthand the monuments and documents you learned about, even if they are in a different language, is so unbelievably amazing. 

In general getting an international education shifts your perspective. You learn different teaching styles and focus on different aspects of the material. 

While the classroom is so important abroad, it is the life lessons that you learn. Especially when commuting. Commuting makes it hard to become an individual. Yes you are an adult now, but you are an adult that still goes to school and lives at home. Sometimes it is hard to separate that from highschool. Being in a country on your own is the highest level of independence. You aren’t even in the same time zone as your family! 

Studying abroad is transformative. You have to learn how to navigate buses, trains, airports, most of which are in different languages. You have to learn how to communicate and adapt to different social norms. By studying abroad you gain crucial life skills that you can’t learn without experiencing it.  

As a commuter going to a different country may seem like a giant step, and it is. But it is worth it. I was nervous both times I left to go abroad, and despite how badly I wanted to, I cried, both times. Once I was on the plane though, it was just a matter of time until I would be back home, so I was determined to make the most of it. 

Once you get there it is like freshman year moving into the dorms again. Everyone is trying to find friends. As a commuter you may not have experienced the chaos of the first week of freshman year, but you find your friends fast from it. Everyone is in the same boat. 

If you have ever wanted to see what the dorm life was like, study abroad. It is easier to justify than a dorm that is drivable distance from your home. Sometimes, at least in my case, it costs less than living on campus. It is also much better than housing because you are in a different country. 

Different schools have different housing abroad, but either way you will be living more independently. 

Most schools have extensive abroad lists and there are many scholarships! It may seem impossible, but truly it is so doable. Going abroad cost just as much, possibly cheaper, than when I lived on campus. 

I believe it is the perfect way to get out there and explore the world and yourself. Everyone is in the same boat as you, so trust me you will find your crowd. 

By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.

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Romanticize your life, your commute, everything

October 16th, 2025

Many social media trends are more than fleeting. Only a few trends have stuck with me, most are purely nostalgic. However one trend portraying people romanticizing their lives has always stuck with me-especially when I started commuting. 

In short, romanticizing your life means taking notice of simple tasks and moments. Making everything mean something. For a while this was a big trend online, one I found myself searching for. 

I found myself captivated by videos showing normal actions. Filling fridges and laundry supplies-for example. I loved watching people light candles and clean. All of these actions I could and should have done myself. It wasn’t just the actual actions these influencers were partaking in, it was how they presented them. Everything was aesthetic and sounded nice too. 

When influencers showed themselves drinking coffee in cute pyjamas looking out a window I realized in some way I can attain that. Of course social media is only a snippet of life, but it looked genuinely peaceful. I found when I wore pyjama sets (although I never do) and sip some tea outside I felt balanced and calm. 

The idea of romanticizing everything in life may seem problematic. Perhaps some may argue people are choosing to live in delusion rather than face the mundane reality. When I romanticize my life I find I am more productive and feel overall better. 

Of course when I was obsessed with the idea of romanticizing everything I spent a lot of money. In order to romanticize your life it seemed like you needed to spend money on all the cute, aesthetic things. Now this is completely just consumerism, and you do not need to spend anything to romanticize your life. 

You can stand outside with tea or coffee in old pyjamas that don’t go together in any way. Putting more energy into studying and listening to music is all it takes to romanticize life slightly. Instead of just watching a show I light candles. It is all about a wonderful ambiance and the full-fillment you get. That is what makes it so special; you can make it yours completely. 

Sometimes when I try to romanticize life I work on being in the moment. I often catch myself being caught up in the future. What work am I going to have to do when I get home? What am I going to do after I graduate? What are my plans next week? 

Instead of creating mind lists sometimes you just need to watch outside as the train moves. 

Regarding college, the idea of romanticizing everything works well with studying. I love annotations and find myself listening to chill music with a good pen and highlighter. It’s silly, but it almost feels aesthetic. The motivation to finish a book or annotate a paper keeps me doing my work at a reasonable pace. 

I am the worst at keeping a routine, but I am someone who needs one. Without a routine time seems to fly by, and I end up doing nothing. Having a routine, whether it is strict or loose, is a way I have found myself going out and feeling better about my life. 

Set a routine that works for you; it doesn’t have to be anything insanely rigid. Having something simple that you do every day and that you look forward to is something I have found to be valuable. 

Being in the best mindset and as happy as you can be has helped me immensely, and I am sure it will help you too. 

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By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus. 

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Couch Crashing 101

October 13th, 2025
There is nothing like having fun with friends, but be responsible and always have a plan

When you live off campus it isn’t every day that you can go out. You need to make arrangements now. Going out quickly changes from a spontaneous decision to having to plan well in advance. 

It is good practice for the post grad world, but it definitely puts a damper on the college experience. 

Recently, I went out and it was (sort of) spontaneous. With only a two day notice I figured out my plans on how to safely have a night out. There are many little things that go into deciding whether or not to go out–money, schoolwork, etc.

However, the most important question that needs to be solved before going out is: how do I get back home? 

There are a few options to safely get back home after going out. 

  1. Staying sober and driving home. 
  2. Having a friend or family member drive you home. 
  3. Paying for an Uber.

Having to rely on loved ones to bring you home all the time can be difficult and Ubers can be costly. Staying sober is always the most responsible decision, but sometimes you want to let loose with your friends.

Luckily there is another option–couch crashing. This one also can involve the least amount of planning (depending on person to person) and therefore the nights can be spontaneous once again. 

Here is a quick breakdown on how to properly couch crash. 

First find a friend with a couch, or at least an apartment- there is always the floor. Then of course ask if you can stay the night. Never assume, especially in Boston where most people have at least one roommate. Some roommates aren’t going to want a stranger on their couch. 

Next, see what your friend has and what you need to bring. In other words, figure out if they have a pillow and blanket that you can borrow. If not, I highly recommend bringing at least one or the other, both are best. You are already going to be sleeping on a dorm or cheap apartment couch, so it is best to have something comfortable. You also don’t have to bring much to these sleepovers. I went straight from classes, but was able to fit everything in my backpack. 

The most important items I brought were:

A water bottle

A second pair of shoes (you don’t want to be walking home in pyjamas and heels)

Pyjamas

I didn’t find I needed much else. Everyone is different, but I recommend not overthinking when packing for an overnight stay. It makes the morning much easier when you have just one bag to bring home. 

For me an Uber trip from home to the city (and vice versa)  can cost anywhere from 40-70 dollars. This adds up quickly. Having to pay for an Uber has convinced me to stay at home multiple times. 

Now you may still be thinking it’s worth paying the money to Uber back. Uber costs can vary, so it may be inexpensive to get home and sleep in your bed. Sometimes Ubers are long, expensive, uncomfortable, and not guaranteed. 

Having a guaranteed place to stay allows the night to be carefree and fun. Not worrying about when you have to leave and how you are going to get home.  

Couch crashing doesn’t need to be complicated, but it can be really fun. 

Part of the fun of couch crashing is it can be like a nostalgic sleepover. My friends and I got some food, chatted, and watched a show before we all went to sleep. It ended up being one of the best parts of the night. It is almost like an opposite pregame where instead of getting ready with your friends, you wind down with them. 

Everything is an experience. Try to make the most of everything in college, even if it is sleeping on the most uncomfortable couch ever created.

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By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus. 

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Essentials every commuter needs

September 28th, 2025

No matter how far you are commuting, for hours it will only be you and your bag. It is important to pack this bag concisely, so you don’t have to drag it around all day. 

In this post I will provide a list of my essentials and tips to packing the perfect commuter bag.

I have overpacked and underpacked plenty of times in the past, so here is my advice on how to avoid this! 

First before you go off to school check the weather. Bringing a change of clothes or an unneeded sweatshirt takes up so much space. Being intentional with your clothing choices will help you not be uncomfortable all day.

A heavy bag is a nightmare to carry around, especially if you are participating in the popularized tote bag trend. I love my tote bag, but when I bring too much, my shoulders ache. 

No matter what bag you use it is important to be mindful of what you are bringing. Over the first few weeks think about what you actually use during your time on campus. If you notice something in your bag is taking up space, take it out. 

Sometimes everyone needs a list. Here are the absolute commuting must haves: 

  • A portable charger. 
  • A small notebook and pencil. Normally I have a standard notebook in my bag, but recently I have seen my peers with smaller ones. It is the perfect way to have paper just in case, and not take up room. 
  • An Ipad/Kindle. The more digital textbooks the better. Ipads are great because you can annotate pdfs like a regular book. If allowed in your classroom, you can ditch the physical notebook and use a digital app instead. I recommend using the app Goodnotes. With this app you can upload pictures and pdfs and write notes on them as you desire. It is also extremely affordable. 
  • Headphones, preferably airpods or earbuds as they are smaller. Essential for the commute. 
  • Granola bars and other small easy to eat snacks; these are small lifesavers. Having snacks will also save you money as you will be able to avoid purchasing lunch. If you have room, having a full lunch is even better. 
  • A water bottle. I recommend one that can be closed rather than an open straw. It is much easier to just throw it in your bag. 
  • A tide stick, just in case you have a spill on your clothing. 
  • Regarding make up, I have often packed my entire makeup bag, which tends to take up a lot of space. Half the time I don’t even use it. Instead I recommend having one of each product that is reasonable to reapply. For example one lip liner, one lip gloss, one blush, deodorant, and a small fragrance spray are all I use. I have also tried to use a strong setting spray in the morning, so I don’t have to reapply. 

Of course, always focus on having your school supplies. There is nothing worse than arriving on campus only to discover you left your homework or ID at home, trust me I’ve been there. 

What you bring to campus is completely different depending on if you have your car and how long you are on campus. Of course, if you do have your car you can bring more items. When you only have a bag it is quite limiting. 

Even though it is tempting to over pack, it isn’t worth it. 

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By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus. 

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Get involved no really– it helps

September 25th, 2025

Emerson College has a multitude of clubs; it is an important part of the Emerson experience. The college invests a decent amount of money into these organizations. Each semester the college hosts an org fair where all the clubs can pass out flyers and try to recruit new members. Some of these clubs are athletics, some social, and others are professional resume builders. 

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I went to this fair as a freshman and probably gave my email to about eight different clubs. 

I never actually signed up for any of the sororities or the book club, but I did sign up for one. 

As a writing, literature, and publishing major, I had always been drawn to the Undergraduate Students for Publishing Club, or Pub Club, for short. 

Pub Club is an organization that hosts publishing/writing panels and events and publishes two student manuscripts per semester. It provides students with real life experience in the publishing industry. This was the one club that I thought I was going to actively participate in. 

While I received the emails every week, I never showed up. I lived in the dorms at this time, so it wasn’t even a long commute. I suppose I was caught up with classes and being social all the time, something I wasn’t used to at all. 

I wanted to have a position in the club, not just be a member. When applications went out in the winter, I applied and to my surprise got the position as the assistant event coordinator. Suddenly, I had to be involved in the club. I had to email professionals to speak on panels. I had to help plan the book launch for the published student manuscripts. I suddenly was going to the weekly meetings and spending time working on events in my free time. It wasn’t laborious, but it was something that I had to do. 

In the fall I went abroad taking a temporary leave from my position. When I came back I returned to it, but this time with a different event coordinator. The semester after being abroad was my first semester commuting. Pub Club was a way for me to be on campus for more than just classes. The city was cold and everyone was so swamped with work, it was hard to see my friends. Being a part of a club allowed me to still be a student on campus. I attended the social events we put on and worked closely with the other members of the board. 

That semester I became friends with my event coordinator. She was a kind transfer student. She was also going to become president of the club next semester, so I was gearing up to become the event coordinator, not the assistant. 

When that came around I was excited. I had many ideas and it was awesome bringing them to life. I aimed to be a mentor to my assistant as my friend had been to me. I met others and worked hard on the book launch.

Sometimes it was hard to stay late or go to campus on a day off, but it was worth it. Being a part of the events was fun and rewarding. It is also a great resume builder. 

I urge you to push your hesitations aside and sign up for one club. Signing up for a club is a way to force yourself on campus more often. Whether it be for meetings or events a club will help you get more immersed into student life. You may meet some of your closest friends in these clubs or at the least make some connections for when you enter the field.

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By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus. 

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NYC Coupon Cards Fall 2025

September 22nd, 2025
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How to combat FOMO

September 15th, 2025
Going out can be a thrilling time, but sometimes you just can’t go out

As a college student, specifically a commuter student, fear of missing out, or FOMO, is my worst enemy. Being a full time college student means that you can’t always go out. Maybe you have to study for a big exam you have the next day. Perhaps you have to catch up on homework or sleep. As a college student you have a lot going on, and it is important to remember this. You still need to be conscious of your grades, work/expenses, and other commitments. 

In short, sometimes you just can’t go out. So, how do you deal with having to miss out? 

Well, luckily there are ways to reduce the impact of FOMO. Verywellmind.com provides a list of ways to cope with FOMO. Using the article “How to Deal With FOMO in Your Life” by Elizabeth Scott, I have decided to highlight some of my favorite, and most realistic mechanisms.

The author, Elizabeth Scott, suggests journaling. While this is frequently suggested for many different psychological struggles, Scott offers it as a replacement for social media. Instead of posting your memories online you can have more personal documentation. My favorite version of this is junk journaling. It is easy to do, creative, and you can reflect on it easily. 

Another suggestion is to focus on “real connections.” Once you begin commuting you may realize some people make less of an effort to hang out. Some friendships are temporary, a lesson that I have struggled learning. Sometimes people struggle with object permanence with people, when you aren’t there, you simply seem not to exist. In my own experience I think there is value in trying to keep friendships intact,  however if you are constantly being let down or ignored, place your energy into other friendships. It isn’t easy letting go of people you have had amazing experiences with, but sometimes those experiences and moments are to remain in the past. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, one generally accepted reason FOMO sprouts is from comparison via social media. Social media consists of many different platforms that cause everyone to know what everyone else is doing–at all times. There have been many times where I have been completely fine about not going out on a Friday night, and then late at night I scroll seeing post after post detailing how fun everyone’s night was. 

The truth is we don’t really know how fun the nights were. There have been many nights that I went out and got some cute pictures, and even if the night was short, boring, disastrous and ended with tears, I still post because the pictures are cute. 

You will never know how true posts are on social media. Besides, even if it was an amazing night out that you missed out on, it doesn’t matter because there will be more to come. 

As a chronic over thinker with anxiety, here are my personal tips on how to combat FOMO.

  • When you start to really feel like you are missing out, do something you truly enjoy. Whether that is a hobby or watching a favorite show, something that you love and find value in can take away ill feelings of being left out. 
  • If you begin to really miss people, or if you are unable to go to a certain event, make plans with your friends for another time. I mean really make plans too, don’t just say “another day then!” schedule something in advance. For me, knowing I am going to go out with friends always makes me feel better about missing some other event. 
  • Join a club on campus! I will talk about this more later, but forcing yourself to have commitments is a great way to meet new people and always be doing something. 
  • Accomplish/finish something. Whether it be homework or a personal goal, feeling productive always makes me feel like missing out was worth it.
  • Go for a small, more feasible adventure. Whether that is a walk or a trip to a local museum. 

The college lifestyle is heavily centered around going out. College can feel like a whirlwind, but it is important to remember college is actually about learning. 

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By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus. 

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The Actual Positives of Commuting

September 8th, 2025
A picture of my dog because getting to live with your childhood pets is the best perk about commuting.

Saving money is the only positive to commuting that you need, at least that is probably what your parents will argue. But when you are taking out loans to cover your tuition, all money begins to feel fake. Saving thousands, but still paying thousands begins to feel like it’s not worth it. In the long run it is, but while you are still in college it is helpful to look at the current positives. 

Living at home

There are lots of particular benefits you get when you live at home. Some of them are noticeable, others you may take for granted. Whenever I get stressed about commuting I like to remind myself of some of the perks.

Here is a run down of some basic benefits of living at home while in college: 

  • Home cooked meals.
  • Snacks (not just a random assortment of dining hall food that you have collected).
  • A kitchen that isn’t communal with strangers. 
  • No housing restrictions. (Also known as have as many candles as you want.)
  • A full size fridge.
  • Your own bed. (No shade to the twin xl, some of the best naps I have taken were on a twin XL. However there is a whole different type of comfort that your own bed provides.)
  • Your own space.
  • You get to live with your childhood pets.
  • Strangers won’t be able to touch your laundry.
  • You also will not have to wait for a washer to be free because all ten are being used by other students. 
  • No fire alarms going off early in the morning because someone decided to burn mac and cheese.
  • No crowded elevators.

There are of course an abundance more, some are niche and personal, others universal. Sometimes you need to rationalize, even if it seems counter-intuitive. 

Saving money means you can spend a little more on yourself–right? 

Saving money means surely you can spend a little more on yourself. Take this with a grain of salt, while living at home you want to be financially responsible. Save money while you can, of course. If you do think about it you are saving thousands, so if buying that cute tote you have wanted or getting your nails done makes you happy, why not? 

Perhaps it is bad advice, but commuting is hard. I have discovered that when I feel put together and have little things like cute nails, which I couldn’t afford on campus, it allows me to feel the positives of commuting instantly. 

Get into that routine

When you are in college, you get into a routine. This is true whether you live on campus or not. The best thing about commuting is there is less disruption to your routine.

You don’t have to worry about packing your life back up again and again. You have everything in one spot whether it is during the semester or winter break. You can go to the same gym, the same coffee shop, the same library throughout the year. There is value in consistency and familiarity. It is comfortable. 

That being said you can get out of your comfort zone if you so choose. Even though it may not feel like it, being in your childhood home and all, there are places nearby that you may have never experienced. If you have access to a car you have the ability to go where you want when you want. Having a car and being at home doesn’t mean you have to go to the same few places you have been going to for years. 

One thing I’ve learned is you can travel and see areas that have been next door to you your whole life. Explore the trails near you and take little road trips to places close by. It is even more fun bringing your college friends from campus to see your town and state with you. Taking the time to experience your home town before you become a visitor in it, is rewarding and can be sentimentally fun. 

Commuting is hard work, but if you romanticize it enough and prioritize yourself, it can still be a well rounded college experience. 

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By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus. 

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