Crash Course Connections Ch. 2: Roommates

June 18th, 2025

Your roommates might be the first people you meet in college. Maybe you click instantly, living together is a breeze, and you’re naming each other maid of honor by mid-September. Or maybe they become your nemesis. More often, it’s something in between: you coexist peacefully but keep your distance, or you barely interact at all. So how do you navigate this wide spectrum of roommate relationships? I’ve experienced both ends (and everything in between), so let’s talk about it.

My first roommate—let’s call her Jennifer—was one of my first friends at NYU. She was sweet, but tension started building when she consistently avoided doing her share of the chores. Jennifer was more reserved, so I went out of my way to include her: I welcomed her into my friend group, invited her to hangouts, and tried to help her feel at home in a new city. But that generosity eventually became a burden. Her dependency began to impact my social life and personal experiences.

I remember a road trip to D.C. early in freshman year. Jennifer brought only heels and struggled to walk around the city, making it hard for her to enjoy or participate in our planned activities. When asked what she’d prefer to do, she offered no suggestions. By the end of the trip, she had to be reminded to make her own meals and clean up the Airbnb, arguably basic responsibilities she seemed to struggle with.

In situations like this, open and honest communication is crucial. I shared my frustrations with her multiple times about her lack of contribution to our living space and her passivity in our friendship. She always received the feedback politely, but nothing changed. Eventually, it started affecting my ability to stay close with her.

When you don’t have a strong relationship with your roommate, a lack of communication can lead to some… interesting surprises. One night after dinner, I came back to our room to find a camping tent on Jennifer’s bed. She had placed her mattress inside it for “privacy” and to block out light. Soon after, she became almost fully nocturnal, taking advantage of her online classes. That shift only added more distance between us.

Here’s what I learned from that experience:
First, not every friendship, no matter how close it once felt, is meant to last. Sometimes, the more intimately you know someone, the more clearly you see your intolerable differences. Letting go is healthy. Friendships require effort from both sides, and when that effort isn’t mutual, it’s okay to step away. That’s not cruelty; it’s self-preservation.

Second, even the people closest to you can’t read your mind. While I communicated my bigger frustrations to Jennifer, I let a lot of smaller irritations build up silently. That resentment took a toll. You don’t have to nitpick every minor inconvenience, but speaking up calmly and clearly before things spiral is often much easier than bottling everything up. After all, you’re sharing a space. Both people deserve to feel comfortable.

Frustrated woman confronting her roommate’s uncleanliness.

Now, let’s flip the script: what if you’re rooming with your best friends? That can be a dream come true or a fast track to disaster if you’re not prepared for the shift in dynamics. Yes, they’re your “besties,” but now they’re also your roommates. Respect their time and space, and don’t let your friendship make you slack on your responsibilities. A clean, welcoming living environment is still the goal.

As someone who has now lived with her best friends for over a year, I can say this with confidence: communication is everything.

Living with people you love requires the same toolkit as living with strangers. You will disagree, but it’s how you handle those moments that defines the experience. Be open to compromise. Maintain your boundaries and respect theirs. Do that, and you’ll not only survive: you’ll make some of the best memories of your college years.

Have fun, and good luck!

Holiday party at my roommates’ and I’s apartment last semester.
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By Logan O’Connor

Logan is a rising senior at NYU pursuing degrees in Journalism and Politics. She grew up on Long Island, but always dreamed of living in New York City. When she’s not in class or at her favorite local cafe, you can find her wandering the city (film camera in hand) or baking up a storm in her kitchen.


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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Dreamland Ch. 2: Surefire tricks to get your relatives to stop asking you about school

June 18th, 2025

Money. It makes the world go round, or something like that. I may have decided my passion from a young age, but I hadn’t decided on a job, not in any practical way. The hard lesson everyone learns between ages 17 and 21 is that choosing your dream is different from choosing your major, which is yet again different from choosing your career. I learned this lesson the moment I fostered my love for creative writing, and I keep learning it every day.

It’s not so bad, really. I’m studying English, which is very transferrable to a number of different fields, no matter what people will tell you. You only have to engage in a quick cursory scroll through any social media platform to understand that people lack writing skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills. People lack empathy and can’t formulate nuanced opinions. I’m not suggesting that everyone become an English major, but I do encourage a reworked perception of what the field can offer. 

So I don’t regret what I’ve chosen; I only regret not pushing myself out of my comfort zone far sooner, all the way back in high school, in order to learn the skills I’d need to shape my career in English. In freshman year of college, I unfortunately hesitated to join extracurriculars and attend general meetings that would allow me to meet new people and find things I might be interested in. I’ve since overcome that hesitation, thankfully, and now I know that I enjoy journalistic writing, marketing, communications, and more generally, learning new things.

That doesn’t mean the insecurity doesn’t creep in every once in a while. Every month, I spend at least one evening freaking out about what I will do after I graduate, and I panic-apply to a million jobs that I ultimately don’t hear back from. My parents are incredibly supportive and love to hear about school, but I’ve noticed that my family friends, the aunties and uncles, aren’t quite sure what to ask or if there is anything to even discuss. I get it, truly, but I can’t help but compare myself to my sister and others in our family who’ve chosen something more recognizable.

If you’re in the humanities, you probably understand this feeling—the tugging sensation that suspends you between your wildest dreams and the real world below. The Icarian knowledge that either side will damn you. Most of the time, it doesn’t feel quite this theatrical, but I don’t think anyone is immune to the chilling realization, even if inaccurate, that the things you do as a teenager determine the rest of your life. Such is the condition of being a teenager in the first place. Why can’t we all just do what we love, right?

NYU’s Silver Center for Arts and Sciences, home to English majors and others. Image Credit: https://meet.nyu.edu/locations/silver-center/

The divide between your passion and your career prospects might feel chasmic now, but there are ways you can reconcile even the most distant of pipe dreams and the most mundane 9-to-5 jobs. 

I used to work for NYU’s outreach and fundraising organization, which was often the bane of my existence, but I took every shift as an opportunity to learn about other people and their backgrounds. I learned about their fields of interest and the ways they used their schooling to propel them into careers that suited their niche interests. I once spoke to someone that illustrated tarot cards. I still quit that job after a semester, but I have plenty of stories to tell. which makes the semester of asking strangers for money sort of worth it. I don’t intend on continuing that sort of work full-time, but I know that if I keep collecting stories and experiences like that one, I’ll find joy in any job.

My ultimate goal is to have a job that sustains me financially and doesn’t make me dread it every night and morning, but I think eventually I’ll come to accept that your job won’t and probably shouldn’t be your life. If I completely turn creativity and writing into my source of income, will I still covet them as I do now? 

If you siphon all your passion into the thing that you have to do or you lose your stability, is it still passion? 

My hope is that I can look down that cavernous gap and feel security in traveling between both sides of it. My hope is to make just enough money that I feel content waking up each morning—though I certainly wouldn’t be mad if I made a little more. Money might sustain you, but your passions will keep you alive.


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By Oshmi Ghosh

Oshmi Ghosh is a rising junior at NYU’s College of Arts and Sciences, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English with minors in Creative Writing, History, and Entertainment Business. You can usually find her appreciating the simple things in life: tea with milk and sugar, a good book, and/or intensely competitive board games.


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 Body I Brought To College

June 17th, 2025

The first thing they tell you when you enter the world of college is to make your health and wellness a priority and that downtime is important. As a college student, you are constantly thinking about the assignments to turn in, the exam you need to cram for since it’s worth forty percent of your grade, or the big group project that your professor recommends starting two weeks into the semester even though it isn’t due until the end of the year. 

Your health and wellness is an essential part in being successful in your college experience, but it isn’t about hitting the gym or eating a salad. They’re about how your body functions, how you manage stress, and how you show up for yourself every day. In college, it’s easy to treat your body like an afterthought and not prioritize the key functions such as sleep, nutrition, and movement. When you don’t listen to your body, it starts speaking louder through exhaustion, illness, and burnout, which can make it difficult to perform at your full potential best in all areas of college.

My entire life, I have suffered from severe scoliosis, a condition where my spine is curved in an “s” shape. Although I have managed this condition throughout my life, when I entered college, it gave me several different challenges that I didn’t realize I’d have to face. Nurturing a proper sleep schedule, having good eating habits, and maintaining minimal movement are important in college, as it can balance out the academic stressors. Before college, I never really thought twice about my body. Even with my medical condition, I ate when I was hungry, slept when I was supposed to, and was at my peak physically. Once I entered college, I didn’t realize that the pressures of academics in combination with my medical condition would make my time in college even more challenging than expected, forcing me to rethink everything about wellness and fitness. A lot of days, my body feels like it’s working against me. I wake up tired, my muscles ache, and I can’t push myself the way other students can. It’s frustrating and isolating, but it’s also taught me the importance of listening to my body and honoring its limits.

I’ve learned to be intentional about rest and my sleep schedule. At night, I give myself a 9 p.m curfew and a bedtime of 10 p.m, which allows me to relax before I close my eyes so that I can sleep better at night. I’ve also had to redefine what fitness meant for me, meaning going on nice, long walks around the city, doing yoga, or choreographing dances to keep myself loose. Everybody’s health and wellness looks different in college, but there are very consistent ways to make sure that your health and wellness are acknowledged and prioritized. First, sleep is non-negotiable. It is recommended to get 8 hours of sleep, so aiming for 7 to 9 hours is best. You should fuel your body consistently. It’s okay to eat what’s available, but try to include whole foods when you can, especially fruits, protein, and complex carbs. You should also move with intention, even if it’s 10 minutes a day. Find movement that feels good for you. Although it’s okay to push yourself, you shouldn’t push yourself too hard, because it’s supposed to feel invigorating and reviving instead of feeling like an obligation. The most important aspect is to be honest with yourself and your needs. Whether you live with a health condition or not, give yourself grace and adapt your routines accordingly. 

Wellness and fitness isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being aware. Although college stresses the importance of academics, it is important to prioritize health and wellness. Your body is the one place you have to live in during college. Take care of it like it’s your most valuable asset.


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By: Yamilia Ford

Yamilia Ford is a rising senior at Pace University with a major in business management and three minors in journalism, creative writing, and film studies. Her passion for writing allows her to inspire through her own creative lens, giving people the opportunity to relate to her.


For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  

At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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Juggling Relationships: Making Time for Friends and Family

June 17th, 2025

Graduating from high school marks a significant chapter in a person’s life. It symbolizes a shift that propels a person forward into a life far away from home. Students are separated from their friends and families and are expected to form bonds and connections with new people on their own. It can be hard to build a stable bridge between the relationships that already exist in your life and the ones that are being constructed in college.

In my first year of college the transition to life amongst new friends and new people felt quite natural. I jumped at the chance to participate in campus events and other social engagements that Pace University had to offer. I worked with people in class and found like-minded peers who shared similar interests with me, prompting out-of-class studying and socialization. 

A group of friends and I share a laugh.

My sophomore year, I joined the Nature Club and made friends with some of my fellow club members, finding a small but strong community of people who care about the same things and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking. However, I am most thankful for making an effort to form strong relationships with my freshman year suitemates. Both of my suitemates were on Pace’s Swim and Dive Team and because we became such close friends, I was often invited to social gatherings with the rest of the team, despite not being a swimmer myself. I found some of my favorite people on this team and I am forever grateful for making the connections that I have, even when the connections seemed so simple to begin with. This process of making new friends was never easy though, as a lot of these friendships took time to build. Some relationships did not last very long, with some of them ending very badly and some of them slowly deteriorating over time. I only ever joined one club and I have never been a part of college athletics, but I did my best to take advantage of situations where I was surrounded by new people to create a fresh life for myself. 

It was very challenging to make enough time for friends and family back home amidst the influx of work and the new friends that I was trying to build relationships with. In order to maintain these relationships with old friends and my family, I made an effort to text them as often as I could throughout the week. We would exchange stories and give updates on our separate lives so that we stayed involved and engaged with each other even while we were physically apart. I would try my best to schedule Facetime calls at least once a week with friends and family. It helps to communicate over text but when you really miss the people you love it can be hard to go without seeing their faces and audibly hearing them laugh. I found a lot of value in making time for those Facetime calls. Sometimes things would get extremely hectic and busy and our schedules wouldn’t align in time to make a call, but we wouldn’t let it discourage us from making a call the next chance we were free. I found it very important to make that sort of communication consistent as much as possible, and I have stayed close friends with those who I remained consistently in contact with. 

Beyond making time for your relationships with others, it is important to fit in enough time to maintain your relationship with yourself. It can be overwhelming when it feels like there are so many different people to spend time with, but it is also necessary to allot certain points in the week purely and solely for yourself, free of others. I found that going on periodic walks helped to clear my head and give me the alone time that I needed every once in a while. There were certainly periods of time when I felt suffocated by socialization and I realized that I needed a break from dedicating so much time towards others.

The key to juggling relationships is just working out a plan, either mental or physical, that divvies up enough time for all of the people that you care enough about. Putting in the time and effort towards others emphasizes care and compassion; no matter how hard things are or how busy things may get, consistency is essential.  

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By Ryder Huseby

Ryder is going into his Junior year as a Writing and Rhetoric major at Pace University in Pleasantville, New York. Ryder is a passionate reader and enjoys going to the movie theater as often as he can.

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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Chapter 2: The silent sacrifice

June 17th, 2025
My Commitment Post

I have always considered myself to be selfish. My parents say it all the time—and honestly, they are not wrong. As a kid, I was laser-focused on what I wanted. At the mall, I’d hunt down my stuff first, and the second I had it? I was ready to go. Didn’t care who else needed to shop; I had my things, I was done. 

When I grew up, the idea of being selfish started to haunt me. Sometimes, it hurt to think that maybe I was the person who always put herself first. Deep down, I wanted to be different. I wanted to be the kind of daughter who gave her whole heart to her parents. But no matter how much I cared, my actions never seemed to say it loudly enough. I was caught between wanting to give everything and not knowing how to express it, so I often said things I didn’t mean—things that probably sounded like the opposite of love.

Maybe that’s why when college decisions came around the corner, my heart leaned toward what my parents wanted. It wasn’t pressure, exactly— they never forced anything. But I could feel it. They saw their childhood in me. The chances they never got, the roads they couldn’t take. 

At first, I didn’t fully understand. I thought they were just being vague when they said, “It’s up to you.” But it didn’t take a genius to hear what they weren’t saying. I could read it in their eyes, in the way they paused, in the way they tried not to persuade me but persuaded me anyway. Their silence was filled with hope, and I felt it sitting beside me every time I opened a college portal.

I prayed for my college decisions to keep me in New York City. I grew up here—it’s home. And as the oldest daughter of immigrant parents, the thought of leaving felt like too much. I couldn’t imagine settling somewhere far and starting over without them nearby. But that didn’t stop me from wanting it all—to get into every school I applied to, to have the kind of choices I never thought possible. 

What I didn’t realize was that this second wish would send my life into chaos. I got into Columbia for writing and NYU for engineering. Two schools. Two dreams. Both in my city. Both too real to ignore.

On one hand, there was Columbia, an Ivy League—prestigious, poetic, the kind of place that would take my writing seriously. It felt like choosing the part of me that always struggled to express herself.  On the other hand, there was NYU, one of the best for engineering. Practical. Respected, which felt like choosing the part of me that thrived on building, solving, and understanding how the world worked. Which one do I choose? Which one is better for me? For my family? 

Whichever one I chose, I knew I would have to let go of a part of myself. My identity. Not because I didn’t want both, but because sometimes two dreams just don’t fit in the same life. 

In the end, I chose engineering — not just for me, but for the version of me my parents always believed in. I chose it because it was my first dream, even before writing. I chose it because I already was a writer, with or without a degree. And I chose it because it felt like building something, not just a future, but a bridge between who I was, who I wanted to be, and who I wanted to make proud.

Maybe I am selfish in other ways, but no rule says selfish people are heartless. Choosing engineering wasn’t just about me—it was the only way I knew how to love them back.

For my mom, it was a way to say her sacrifices were seen. That every meal made after a long day, every quiet worry she carried, every time she put her own life on pause—it all mattered. If I couldn’t always find the words, then let this choice be my way of saying thank you.

And for my dad, it was something deeper. He once dreamed of this path for himself, but life pulled him in another direction. I chose engineering partly because he still carries that dream. And because I wanted to carry it with him, to make him feel like he didn’t give it up for nothing.

So if I couldn’t always say it out loud, let this be the way I show it. Not just a degree. Not just a future. But a quiet promise that I acknowledge them.


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By Marzia Seemat

Marzia Seemat is a sophomore at NYU studying civil engineering and creative writing. She loves being close to nature, especially at the beach. Her favorite things include good food, morning tea, hour-long movies, and spending time with the people she loves.


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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Making the Most of Your Circle

June 17th, 2025

Once you find your people in New York City, the city changes in a magical way. The chaos remains, but suddenly you are no longer facing it alone and life starts to feel like a shared adventure. The city that once felt enormous and anonymous becomes a little smaller, a little warmer, and a lot more fun. 

My circle started with my roommate, but before I knew it my bubble started to expand as we continued to meet more people. Late-night ice cream runs with the girls from our hall turned into real connections, and joining campus groups like a sorority introduced me to women from all over the world, all eager to find friendship and community in the city. It did not happen overnight, but the more I put myself out there, the more New York shifted from a dreamlike haze to a real home.

There’s something special about learning a new city with people who are just as wide-eyed and curious as you are. The closer I got with my friends, the more eager we became to explore the city together which led to countless adventures. Whether it’s venturing into Brooklyn for strawberry matcha or watching Timothee Chalamet shoot a Chanel commercial in Soho, doing it together turned every outing into a core memory.  Some of my favorite memories in New York are things that I would never do alone. I’m not the type of person who just shows up to a festival in Little Italy, but when my roommate insisted, I went along with it, and it ended up being one of the best nights of my first month living in the city. We rode a ferris wheel- something I never knew existed in the streets of New York. That’s the magic of a good circle; they nudge you outside of your comfort zone, while still making you feel safe. They bring both the fun out of the city and you.

Me on the Feast of San Gennaro Festival Ferris Wheel!

Your people also ground you when things start to feel overwhelming, which happens often living somewhere as busy as the Big Apple. It is completely normal to feel on top of the world one moment, and the next, you’re crying on the packed subway because your Apple Pay keeps getting denied and you’re already running late. I’ve had friends drop everything just to meet me for an emergency matcha, or walk with me in silence, or both just because I needed company. The best part of having a close circle is that when you are surrounded by people who care about you, the hard moments soften. 

What I’ve learned from the people I’ve grown close to has both elevated and transformed my entire experience living here. Your people are the ones who send you Insta reels about the next restaurant you have to try, or sit with you on the steps of a Brownstone you dream about living in one day. Your people will grow with you, and help hold you up when you need it. They will be there for every win, from successfully hauling a cab or passing your final exams. My people have transformed New York from an impossible maze into an open playground, and yours will too.

It’s easy to feel alone, but the right people will make New York feel like home. Sometimes all it takes is one or two people who get you, who show up, and who make even the most ordinary moments feel memorable. So yes, finding your people takes time, but once you do, make the most of them.

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All Work and No Play: Exploring the Newfound Freedoms of College

June 13th, 2025

One of the most challenging elements of the college experience is finding enough time for everything important. It is such a unique period of life that can be so complicated to navigate, it can be so difficult to make enough time for yourself and your priorities stepping into the unfamiliar and uncertain college scene. College exists in a realm between the irresponsibility of youth and the responsibility of the real-world, creating a space where students learn to be self-sufficient, while maintaining a sense of freedom.  

Living on an academic campus, I realized how intertwined life and academics truly were now that I was at college. We have our dorm rooms all to ourselves where we have the chance to live how we want, slowly learning how to function on our own without the guidance of our parents. However, practically every day is dedicated to academics, with a large chunk of the day being spent walking across campus to class and sitting through lectures, discussions, presentations, etc. Dedicating this much time solely towards education can be particularly draining in many instances, especially while you are developing a newfound sense of freedom and individuality. It can also be difficult when some of your courses do not exactly align with your interests, whether it be on account of the professor’s methods of teaching or on account of the subject itself. I have taken a couple classes that just did not draw my attention at all and I felt very disengaged from the course content. When I felt disengaged from the course I found it hard to justify the amount of time spent dedicated towards the class; sitting through boring lectures, spending hours studying at the library when I could be spending time with my friends instead, going out to eat or to the movies downtown. This was a dynamic that I had to learn to balance.

While, yes, one of the primary focuses of college is on education, it would be a disservice for any college student to not take advantage of the freedoms that college offers. Sometimes it’s worth it to blow off a night of exhausting studying to sit on your friend’s floor talking about something that’s troubling you, to share a few laughs with someone or to get some necessary time alone to decompress after a long day. However, managing and balancing this can be a slippery slope. There have been times when I overindulged in my freedoms and found myself struggling academically. In one of my classes where we had weekly readings, I started to fall behind because I would put off the readings until the night before. When it eventually got to the night before, I would have little motivation to read because it was late and I was tired. When it came time to take my midterm and final exams I was incredibly unprepared, having not read some of the more important texts. My grades reflected my minimal effort and I learned from my mistake for the future. 

A group of friends and I taking advantage of our free time.

There is such a thing as spending too much time and energy on academics as well. Devoting too much mental energy towards schoolwork can be debilitating and affect your happiness, as I have learned through personal experience. When I don’t get a chance to see my friends or get time where my brain is free from the constant state of completing work and consuming information, there is always a notable shift in my demeanor. It is always important to stay on top of the school workload, but never to the detriment of your emotional wellbeing. I have always believed that investing strong emotions into schoolwork is dangerous. I have seen friends align their self-worth with their academic performance and fall hard when they are unable to meet the unattainable expectations that they create for themselves. A certain level of passion and commitment is essential to succeed, and in some classes I developed a very deep care and affection for the subject matter, but never to the point where I felt completely and entirely emotionally bound to my success.

I believe that college is a great opportunity for young adults to discover who they are, free from the influence of their parents. With the fresh space that college offers, students, like myself, are given the chance to find the necessary time in their schedules to live freely, an opportunity that I think is limited, in many cases, in later adult life.      

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By Ryder Huseby

Ryder is going into his Junior year as a Writing and Rhetoric major at Pace University in Pleasantville, New York. Ryder is a passionate reader and enjoys going to the movie theater as often as he can.

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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Finding Your People in a City of 8 Million

June 11th, 2025

New York City  can feel like you are dropped into a sea of strangers when you first arrive. The sidewalks are always crowded, the subway cars are packed, and even the local Trader Joe’s is always swarming with people. Despite being constantly surrounded by others, it’s easy to feel completely alone. I know firsthand that college students, especially those who’ve moved from quieter places, can feel this loneliness hit hard, like an oncoming train. Most kids have to adjust to a new school, which is already scary, but when moving to NYC, you’re building a whole new life from scratch in a city filled with 8 million people. So, how do you get through that? Well, there is no exact answer, no step-by-step guide or recipe to follow, but what I can say is the key to surviving and thriving is by having true friends by your side. 

When I got into NYU, I knew almost no one heading into the city. Like many other incoming freshmen, I turned to Instagram to find potential roommates and maybe even a few friendly faces to recognize on campus. That’s how I found the person who ended up being my roommate, but also my best friend. I was hesitant to reach out, but when I saw that we had a lot of similarities, I figured hitting send on a DM to her was worth the shot. We ended up bonding over a shared love for Harry Styles and our excitement for not having to use communal bathrooms at NYU. What started as a few DMs turned into something much deeper. The day we moved in, we connected instantly, and by the end of that first week, we were finishing each other’s sentences. 

My roomie and I excited over a billboard featuring Harry Styles & Florence Pugh

After countless midnight snack runs, sometimes even in the rain, we decided we wanted to connect with other students in our building. I had the unique idea of playing tic-tac-toe through our dorm room doors. Literally. We would scribble Xs and Os on paper and slide them under random kids’ doors and then sit back on the floor of our room eagerly awaiting for a paper to slide back under our door. We felt like kids passing notes in class, which was both nostalgic and comforting. It might have been silly, and maybe even a tad childish, but it made those first few weeks feel a little less scary. 

My relationship with my roommate was rare and something I still cherish today as we are going into our fourth year of living together. However, not everyone finds their people on day one, and that is both completely okay and normal. The truth is, it takes time to form real, lasting connections in a place as busy and quickly paced as NYC. You’ll meet hundreds of people in your first semester alone, whether it’s in the classroom, club meetings, or even the elevators. Some people may ask if the seat next to you is taken and then never see you again. Some friendships will fade, but the exciting part is that some will stick forever. 

Just a couple of days ago, I sat down on a bench waiting to meet my mom and stepdad for lunch, and a girl sitting next to me suddenly turned and started talking. She was visiting her friend in the city, and we chatted for 15 minutes about both everything and nothing. There was no agenda, no expectation. It reminded me that in this city, friendships often begin with the smallest gestures, like a comment about the weather, a compliment on someone’s outfit, or even a game of tic-tac-toe between two dorm doors. 

One of the most important things that I’ve learned over the past few years is that finding your people in NYC is a journey, not a race. You have to relax and trust that you will meet your people, whether it’s in your DMs, on a park bench, or maybe even in the room next door. And when you do meet them, hold onto them. In a city of 8 million, those few who truly get the real you, make all the difference.  

What better way to connect with new friends in the city than over a coffee? Use this student discount to get 20% off at Absolute Coffee for June & July only!  

By: Skylar Park

Skylar Park is a Film & TV student at NYU with a passion for storytelling and city adventures. When she’s not writing or filming, you can find her running by the East River or hunting down the coziest bookstores in New York City.


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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Crash Course Connections Ch 1: New Beginnings

June 11th, 2025

Coming to college is starting from scratch—an exciting, sometimes nerve-wracking, chapter of life filled with possibility. Whether you’re attending a school close to home or heading off to a new city, college offers a fresh start. And before you’ve even found your footing, the pressure to find your new best friends can be overwhelming. Lucky for you, this pressure is universal, and you are far from alone.

Those first few weeks on campus are nonetheless crucial for laying the groundwork for new friendships. Everyone is adjusting, finding their classes, navigating dorm life, and figuring out where the best coffee is. During this time, people are especially open to meeting others, so be sure to take advantage.

Go to orientation events, campus tours, welcome mixers, and even cheesy icebreaker activities. These are designed to help you meet people and start conversations. You never know; your future best friend might be your accomplice in sneaking into the succulent planting welcome event that you never got off the waitlist for. That might sound oddly specific, but that is precisely how I made my first, and closest, friend here. 

We met in the first week before classes had even started, but it was only once we found ourselves appearing at the same social events time and time again that we became close. We started to realize all of our shared interests, from cafe-hopping to art museums, and just like that I had found a partner in crime. It is with her, my friend Ambika, that I met my other now roommate Taylor, and we quickly became a nearly inseparable unit. 

The “unit” in question- (right to left) Ambika, Taylor, and me

 It will likely happen like this, if it hasn’t already, for you as well. You have to be open to the opportunity, but the right acquaintances will, with both rapid speed and gradual commitment, become family. So maybe keep your headphones out at the school bookstore, compliment that girl’s jacket, and dive into a conversation about how you both love thrifting. Let the world in, and I guarantee the rest will fall into place. 

 Join clubs, sports teams, or student organizations that interest you. Whether it’s an intramural volleyball league, the school newspaper, or a club for people who love baking, getting involved is a fantastic way to meet people with shared interests. These groups give you a natural space to interact and bond without the pressure of having to “make friends” on the spot.

You also don’t need a big circle of friends. In fact, it’s often better to focus on forming a few genuine connections. Meet as many people as you can handle, but don’t feel pressured to sustain all of these relationships. If you click with someone- great! Follow -up, grab coffee, and invite them on outings or to group hangouts. If you are finding it difficult to deepen a friendship, try stepping back and directing that energy towards expanding your network or fostering other connections you’ve made. 

Remember, friendships take time to grow. You might not find “your people” in the first week or even the first month, and that’s okay. Keep showing up. Keep reaching out. Be open to different ideas and perspectives, and talk to as many people as possible. 

Reinventing yourself in college can be exciting, especially when you’re in a new environment. While growth is a natural part of the process, try not to lose sight of who you are. The strongest bonds come from a foundation of authenticity. Let people get to know the real you—the you that loves photography, longs to travel, despises techno music, and has strong opinions about politics.

Vulnerability is scary, especially when you don’t know anyone yet and you don’t want to close any doors. But being honest invites others to do the same, and in turn allows you to filter out the people who were never meant to stay in your life.

You will also feel lonely at times, especially in the beginning, when your family is done helping you unpack and you’re left sitting in your dorm room alone. This is all a part of the process. Everyone experiences moments of homesickness, anxiety, or awkwardness during the transition. It’s not only normal but expected. I assure you, it will pass. But, in the meantime, reach out for comfort—turn to a roommate or call a hometown friend. 

College is about so much more than academics. It’s about the relationships you build, the memories you make, and the people who will shape your journey. Friendships will evolve over time. Some will be short-lived, others lifelong. All of them will teach you something.

So take that first step. Say hello. Sit down at a new table, because you never know who will be sitting across from you.

Use this coupon to grab a delicious bite of curry or biryani at any of their NYC locations!

By Logan O’Connor

Logan is a rising senior at NYU pursuing degrees in Journalism and Politics. She grew up on Long Island, but always dreamed of living in New York City. When she’s not in class or at her favorite local cafe, you can find her wandering the city (film camera in hand) or baking up a storm in her kitchen.


For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC,  from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services.  

At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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Is There Ever One “True” College Experience?

June 11th, 2025

College is often dubbed “the best years of your life” as it is filled with personal freedom, growth, and discovery. Although college brings you amazing memories and provides you the chance to learn a lot about who you are, the overall experience can be very draining and tough. 

For many of us, college is the first time we are away from the only thing we’ve ever known for the first eighteen years of our life. When we go away, we are expected to live our lives in our own way, which can be overwhelming for anyone, whether you are freshly eighteen or a forty year old adult. The pressure of college can have an adverse affect on even the most prepared and put together personality, so it’s very important to take care of yourself and know that success doesn’t have to mean perfection. 

A college student stressing over academics
Image Credit: https://eduadvisor.my/articles/avoid-stress-college-7-stress-management-tips-students

In the world of college, one of the hardest truths I’ve had to accept throughout my time is that everyone’s college experience is different. When I first arrived in college, I thought I was the most put together and prepared I could have ever been, which allowed me to have the mindset of being the staple college student that everyone wants to be. As I progressed throughout the years, I realized that there are so many different ways to do college. Some people show up with a full ride scholarship, while others take out loans due to financial stress. Some people have an amazing support system, while others carry emotional baggage. Some graduate on the usual four-year plan, while others graduate earlier or later. In college, I learned that nobody is on an even playing field and that it’s ok to walk a different walk than anyone else.

My college thus far has been anything from a “normal” experience. There have been many ups and downs. I’ve learned a lot about myself and the person I want to be through the experiences I have had, the difficulties I have faced, and the lessons I have learned and will continue to learn as I go into my final year.

When I first started college, I went into it thinking it was all about making friends and prioritizing getting the best grades possible. Although I knew there were more factors that went into college, I always thought that those were the two things that carry your college experience. I also knew that college would be physically and mentally draining, but not the extent to which I’ve experienced throughout the years. 

As I reflect on the three years I’ve been in college, I look back on all the times I felt fatigued and exhausted, simply due to the lack of sleep I was getting, the minimal movement and exercise I was doing, and not fueling myself with nutritious foods and water. Because of the demanding nature that comes with college, in large part of the academic stressors, I’ve realized that by not prioritizing these things affected both my mind and body alike. If I didn’t get enough sleep, my focus throughout the day suffered. If I didn’t take the time to go on walks or exercise consistently, my body felt stiff. If I didn’t eat properly, my energy throughout the day would decline. 

College is more than academics and social life. It’s a journey of learning how to take care of your whole self. As I enter my final year, I’ve learned that real success in college isn’t about perfection, but about balance, resilience, and gaining self-worth. Whatever you do, what your college life brings you, it’s important to recognize that you should be proud of who you are and the accomplishments you have and will continue to do. 

And to those of you looking for a way to relax and prioritize your wellness, check out beauty and bliss spa where you can save 10% with coupon or student I.D!


By: Yamilia Ford

Yamilia Ford is a rising senior at Pace University with a major in business management and three minors in journalism, creative writing, and film studies. Her passion for writing allows her to inspire through her own creative lens, giving people the opportunity to relate to her.


For over 20 years, the Campus Clipper has been offering awesome student discounts in NYC, from the East Side to Greenwich Village. Along with inspiration, the company offers students a special coupon booklet and the Official Student Guide, which encourages them to discover new places in the city and save money on food, clothing, and services. At the Campus Clipper, not only do we help our interns learn new skills, make money, and create wonderful e-books, we give them a platform to teach others. Check our website for more student savings and watch our YouTube video showing off some of New York City’s finest students during the Welcome Week of 2015.

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