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.

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.

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College often brings a plethora of confusing friendships, budding relationships, and strange encounters. I needed to debrief my first two weeks back at school with one of my close friends, Nadia, who I met during my undergrad years. We landed at a small, though vibrant, sandwich shop on a street corner. The two of us sat down and were greeted by staff, who all seemed to have genuine rapport with one another. It didn’t take long for us to decide our brunch entrees. Cafe Habana, located just around the corner from New York University, offers a menu made up of unique Central and South American cuisine and classics for the old-school customers.

Throughout our morning, Nadia quickly drank her iced hibiscus tea, as I slowly sipped my lime-lemonade.

“The hibiscus drink was decadent and cooling. Perfect for a hot day,” she noted.

I told her about the new friends I made at my university, while explaining the challenges of trying to fit into a group, when my peers had vastly different areas of interests and expertise. The guacamole and chips arrived as I reflected on my first networking event. The seasoned elote came shortly after. The grilled corn on the cob, mayonnaise, cojita cheese, chili powder, and fresh lime, was unforgettable.

“Chips and guacamole are crunchy and creamy,” Nadia reviewed. “The tomatoes mixed in with the onions adds so much more flavor and texture that I really enjoyed. For the elote, I enjoyed the chili powered that added a bit of spice.”

Our main courses were served on hot ceramic dishes, showcasing a plantain taco, a shrimp taco, and the Cubano sandwich. The shrimp was throughly marinated with thyme, oregano, garlic, adobo, & citrus zest, guacamole, chipotle mayo, and salsa verde, while the plantain had feta, black beans, pickled red onion, and salsa verde. The Cubano, their signature item, was made up of slow roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, chipotle mayo, and pickles.

“The shrimp taco was savory and filling. I enjoyed how fresh it tasted from the guacamole and citrus zest,” Nadia reflected. “The plantain taco was my favorite. It was sweet and the red onion and salsa verde adds a very unique flavor.”

The meal overall was delicious and flavorful, a necessary combination after eating ramen noodles and cereal in a small dorm. For students craving to try the Cubano or other dishes served at Cafe Habana, the Campus Clipper is offering students a discount when they present the digital coupon below with their valid student ID.

The second day at my new university ran from 10:00am to 5:00pm, leaving me both exhausted and hungry. I had been eyeing one cafe that also seemed to be a dessert shop and restaurant in the East Village area. While roaming the neighborhood, I stumbled upon it multiple times, but hoped to try its Asian-inspired treats with a friend. I asked Yeyya Wane, a new peer from school, to join me in taste-testing the delicacies offered at Cafe 2BY2, located just around the corner from New York University.

As with all meals, we first selected our drinks of choice. The menu showcased many sweet and floral drinks, while others were coffee and chocolate based. I placed an order for the gardenia milk tea, a light and sugary iced beverage, necessary to wash down our savory entrees and thick slices of cake. I sensed mild notes of an evergreen fragrance as I sipped. Yeyya enjoyed a signature fruit tea.

“The fruit tea was refreshing, with a distinct citrus flavor,” she said, contently. “A subtly sweet drink, perfect for the summer time.”

The entrees arrived at our marble table, perfectly lit with a heavenly ring light to my left. The classy and delicate furnishing complimented the tasteful drinks and dainty desserts, though our main courses were wildly different.

My eyes lit up at the sight of my pepper-salt chicken wings, both drums and flats, served in a pastel yellow ceramic bowl. The entree comes with six pieces of battered and fried chicken, dusted in herbs and seasoning with crispy coating for texture. It’s hard to find a not-overly greasy chicken wing. These bites, although not greasy, were full of juice and flavor. Yeyya sampled some after she indulged in the coconut shrimp bowl with fries.

“The wings were crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. They were well seasoned without being too salty,” Yeyya reviewed. “The shrimp had a strong coconut flavor…it was more breadcrumb than actual shrimp.”

To cleanse our palettes, we each chose a slice of cake, served in mighty portions on elegant dishes. As a Filipino-American, I obviously desired the pandan coconut tiramisu flavor. The beautifully split layers give the dessert a mouth-watering look, even for those unfamiliar with the tropical plant. Each bite had a heading mouthful of classic pandan tartness and rich frosting.

For Yeyya, she found the Thai tea and Ovaltine tiramisu as a delightful way to wind down from the night.

“The flavors in this were very subtle, I felt like the Thai tea overpowered the Ovaltine,” However, it was the perfect amount of sweetness and didn’t feel too heavy.

Overall, my experience at Cafe 2BY2 was lovely. It serves as both a quiet brunch cafe, a quaint dessert place, and a cutesy snack time establishment.

“The floral decor made Cafe 2by2 the perfect place to snap an ‘IG-worthy’ picture. The food came out fairly quickly and overall service was good,” Yeyya happily concluded.

Campus Clipper is offering students a discount at Cafe 2BY2 when they present their student ID and digital coupon below. This is a perfect location to hit up after a long day of classes and meetings at New York University.