Archive for March, 2024

Knowledge is Power: Keeping Yourself On Track in The Face of Distraction

Thursday, March 28th, 2024

For many people, one of the most enticing aspects of college is social freedom. Coming out of high school where parental supervision and lack of freedom limited your fun, college feels like a whole new world where you can do whatever you want, whenever you want. Parties, dates, and on-campus activities may draw your attention away from your classwork and responsibilities. While it’s important to enjoy yourself, it’s equally important to find balance. Going out and having fun is an important part of self-care, but so is making sure you have time to get everything done.

Tending to your social life is important, especially if you go to a smaller school like me. In a place where everyone knows each other, it’s in your best interest to open yourself up to new social experiences, and no matter the size of the school you attend it’s important to be a part of the community. But it’s also important to remember your limits and draw boundaries about things you don’t want to do. Creating boundaries around socializing is something I have to do quite often since a lot of the friends I have right now are very social. They love going out and are always inviting me to go out with them. As more of an introvert, I prefer to spend my weekends inside relaxing, but I understand the importance of staying social and going out, so I try to do it every once in a while. At the beginning of this semester, every weekend my friends would convince me to go out to different parties and events with them. At first, I was having fun, so when they kept asking again and again I kept saying yes. After about a month of this, I was absolutely exhausted. All the late nights on the weekends did not leave me rested enough for the long week, and countless social interactions left me emotionally drained.

My short-lived social era taught me that while I can find enjoyment in socializing, balance is what’s important. I need to make sure I have time to get my work done and be rested enough to balance all my challenges during the week. One way that I did this was by setting clear boundaries with friends. I’d establish that I could only go out one night of the weekend, and I would refuse to go out if I wasn’t feeling up to it. I also set boundaries with myself. I created a rule that if I had more than two assignments due that next week, I wasn’t allowed to go out unless I had done a significant amount of work on them. Rules like these kept me on track when I desired to go out even if it wasn’t in my best interest that weekend. 

There are two important things to remember, the first being the reason that you’re at college. You came to learn and grow as both a student and a person, but primarily you’re there to go to class and learn. When balancing these two things, your investment in your education has to come first. The second thing is taking care of yourself. You have to think about the ways that you can best nurture yourself during the semester to ensure you can balance both your social and academic life.

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By Sidnie Paisley Thomas

Sidnie is a Sophomore at Emerson College in Boston studying creative writing and post-colonial literature. In her free time, you can find her hitting up her local thrift store, playing her favorite records, or reading a new book.

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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On Finding Purpose

Thursday, March 28th, 2024
Calm sunset moments from my boathouse!

Often, I face this looming question of what I am doing right now as a student and how it impacts me in the long run. It is a challenging issue to tackle that borders on the conversation of imposter syndrome, feeling burnt out, wondering if anything you do is enough, and so much more doubt and scrutiny.

It is easy to compare yourself to others, especially when you see others succeed while sometimes feeling stagnant. You become harsh on yourself, holding yourself to higher standards you may not have on others. There is always a question or a fear that your actions will not matter as the future is unpredictable, and perhaps your life is one big mystery. But I’ve recently come across this idea in one of my classes from a French philosopher, Simone Weil, in her book Gravity and Grace, who conceptualized and helped me reason about this difficult struggle of facing life’s challenges. Weil writes, “I also am other than what I imagine myself to be. To know this is forgiveness.” In simple terms, I see this quote as the idea that there is an image of yourself in your mind that you have created. This imaginary self is different from your actual being, who you put out into the world, and to truly understand the difference means to be kind to yourself and accepting of this fact.

Relating to finding purpose, it is easy to be caught up in the motions of perhaps working on your next assignment or trying to find your next summer job. You may have an image of an ambitious, successful student with a 4.0 while juggling being president of a club and working a part-time job. These attributes are great to strive for, but you may have yet to attain all of these goals or fully grasp what you want to do during college or post-grad life. Weil’s quote, and I’ve genuinely come to believe, is that it is essential to remember that the person you thought you were or are hoping to become is not your current self, which is okay. 

On my team, there has been discussion on working through and trusting the process. On paper, our end goal, the pinnacle of our season, would be winning our events at our spring championship races. Whether we win or lose our races will not determine the work I and many others have put into our training and purpose on the team. The idea of winning is “other than” the reality of where I am in my rowing career and is merely part of the journey. It comes in the form of pushing past obstacles and self-doubt on the journey, knowing I am doing everything I can now. To know this is to be a winner. There has been a mindset shift that perhaps it is not about the result but, instead, the journey, and that truly is something I would rather have defined myself and my purpose than anything else.

With this anecdote in mind, I want to stress the importance of trust, care, and understanding. These aspects are not something that will come naturally. Working through all that school and life are pushing at you will strengthen your resilience and dedication to your purpose, allowing you to look back fondly on all the work you have put in and be excited about the next chapter.


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By Lecia Sun

Lecia is a student at Tufts University studying Classics and World Literature. When she is not reading, she can be found attempting the New York Times Games, trying out a new creative hobby, and dreaming about her next great bake. 


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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On Finding Balance

Thursday, March 21st, 2024
Sitting outside after class in the spring

Experiencing college life forces students to reassess their priorities and what they choose to spend their energy on. There is a newfound independence to this lifestyle, with hopes of meeting academic and personal goals, but there is also a large amount of uncertainty that comes with change. In this new stage in life, finding balance is the key to reaching your milestones. By doing so, it will be easier to focus on what we need to do or want to do in the moment, staying present without worries about the future or past.

The definition of what a balanced lifestyle means varies from individual. It comes with an understanding of one’s priorities and values and what truly makes them happy. It may take the form of limiting iPhone screen time to 1-2 hours a day, reading for 15 minutes before bed, or grabbing lunch with your friends at an off-campus restaurant. Whatever the form may take, there are always trade-offs with tasks that may seem burdensome or necessary to complete, such as that one problem set you’ve been pushing off that’s due at the end of the week or last week’s laundry and cleaning. Counteracting the feelings of stress and anxiety with activities that make you calm, joyous, and energized is the end result of a balanced lifestyle.

Going out to lunch with friends at a restaurant near campus

A balanced lifestyle for me means giving myself moments of calm and happiness when life becomes overwhelming. It appears when I’m winding down after a stressful day, chatting with my roommate about what we accomplished during the day, when I have time to work on my passion projects, or when I’m eating dinner with my friends and catching up on our days. When I’m experiencing these moments of being present, I know there will always be some task I need to do, but it is not as pressing as the present. Experiencing these moments will come naturally with time as you let yourself leave behind any stress in the past and focus on your moment. It helps to give yourself kind reminders, understanding where you are now and giving yourself the opportunity to breathe and focus on yourself. 

Knowing when to say no to favors, change in plans, or any other external factors is sometimes difficult. Putting up these boundaries is necessary for shaping your needs and what you need to actively succeed and pursue your goals. Finding balance connects with creating schedules, prioritizing, and learning what suits your individual needs. Sometimes, life happens and you may spend too much time studying for an exam, taking a nap, or working out. Unexpected changes in your schedule may arise, and you cannot fight them. Despite these challenges, remaining flexible and focused on what matters to you will find a way to be successful and balanced for you. 


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By Lecia Sun

Lecia is a student at Tufts University studying Classics and World Literature. When she is not reading, she can be found attempting the New York Times Games, trying out a new creative hobby, and dreaming about her next great bake. 


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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Not All Who Wander Are Lost: The Importance of Prioritizing Walking in Self-Care

Wednesday, March 20th, 2024

All of my blog posts so far revolve around how to insert healthy self-care habits into your already existing routine, but it’s also important to allocate time in your day for self-care. As a college student, you’re constantly being pulled in many different directions, and while everything you dedicate yourself to in your busy schedule is important, taking care of yourself is even more so. As I’ve said before, you can’t devote yourself to anything if your body and mind aren’t properly taken care of. Ensuring a productive and well-rounded semester always starts with self-care. 

A picture I took on a walk a few weeks ago

One of my favorite ways to prioritize both my mental and physical health is taking walks. Walking has been proven to be an easy way to get exercise, increase your heart rate, and improve physical fitness, without extra stress on the body. But physical benefits aside, I feel the most beneficial part of walking is on my mental health. Balancing a busy face paced schedule is bound to cause stress and sometimes even anxiety. Sometimes, when I have a lot on my plate, I’ll get caught up in my head trying to think about all of it all at once. Juggling school, work, and extra-curriculars all at the same time can easily become overwhelming. In trying to organize my time to create the most productive schedule for the week, I end up feeling anxious and stuck, unable to do anything. The best solution to this for me is going on a walk, I’m able to clear my head and think about things in a more calm and organized manner. 

Making time for frequent walks can also help manage your baseline stress levels. Once or twice a week, I try to go on a walk by myself, it helps me feel more grounded and improves my general mood. I try not to set limits on how long or where I walk, so I can do whatever my mind needs in that moment. Sometimes I wear my headphones and listen to my favorite music, which helps when I’m feeling down or sad. Other times I decide to leave my headphones at home and listen to the sounds of the city around me. This helps when I’m feeling anxious and want to be more in touch with myself. Depending on the mood I’m in I go to the park, or I’ll stay on a busier street, whatever I feel will help my mood. Either way, by the end of the walk I usually feel happier and ready to take on whatever challenges I’m facing. 

Walking is also a great way to connect with friends and family during a busy schedule. If you and your friends only have a limited amount of time to see each other, going on a short walk and exploring the area is a fun way to make the most of your time. Also on walks, you can stay in touch with family who are far away by giving them a call as you’re on your stroll. However or wherever you decide to walk, it is worth taking the time out of your day to do it. It’s a fun and easy way to take care of yourself that pays off in the long run.

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By Sidnie Paisley Thomas

Sidnie is a Sophomore at Emerson College in Boston studying creative writing and post-colonial literature. In her free time, you can find her hitting up her local thrift store, playing her favorite records, or reading a new book.

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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On Finding Passion

Wednesday, March 13th, 2024

I did not set out to write a how-to guide on “how to find your passion” because the journey of cultivating a college student’s passions amidst a whirlwind of life changes and discoveries is complicated enough. There were moments when I was asked what my passions were, and I was at a loss for words. It was not because I did not have anything I did that brought me joy, but because the act of condensing the multitude of interactions, activities, and relationships into a few words was not simple to me.

I have heard about some exciting passions in college, such as running a small clothing business or working on a radio show, and the obvious answers I would have said, such as “reading” or “baking,” feel as if they do not measure up to the high standards of people’s passions. I’ve understood that my passions or others do not define my worth or identity as a college student and creative person. There is a tendency to equate passion to activities people do in their spare time, but there is more to be said about committing to these passions and having the right mindset.

Rowing in a single with my teammates on a lovely spring morning

Beyond defining passions as the act of doing something you love, it is a state of being. Students do not need to be doing an activity to find passion or to be passionate; instead, students can focus on remaining present in the moment. Whether it is attending a club meeting or going on a walk outside, any undertaking made with intention and active choice is related to passions. The simplest and easiest way of achieving this state is by joining clubs and other groups that share similar interests. The other students you meet in these groups could lead to insights into their passions to gain inspiration or new perspectives on what you want your college life to be composed of. 

Baking with my friend for Valentine’s Day

I have also found that actively taking classes that interest me is more rewarding than taking a class for the ease of getting a good grade or filling up a major requirement. I stay more engaged in my class discussions and am eager to learn another topic that will pique my interest in other fields and activities.

During my first year, I decided to take an entrepreneurship class as an elective rather than a class to satisfy my math requirement. It was a class I took at the right time in my life, as it opened up the world of entrepreneurship for social impact and the fascinating companies people have launched. The entrepreneurship class became my favorite class from that semester because of the topics such as creating a vision, finding a venture, and understanding the vitality and viability of a project. The lessons I learned from my class became applicable to my student life and career goals, pushing me to become a better public speaker and inspiring me on career possibilities from a simple idea. I could not have developed these skills and direction by taking Calculus or any other required class. Rather than looking for classes that fit a standard mold, look for inspiring and exciting classes, and you may be surprised. 

Attending an Harvard iLab talk for my entrepreneurship class

I learned that my true drive is rooted in curiosity. Finding your “why” is the first step in recognizing your calling and taking the initial steps to attain any goal. College is a time to explore what calls to you and your interests, anything that adheres to what you are truly passionate about. It may seem daunting initially with a plethora of experiences you may want to face, but what you will eventually land on will result from understanding yourself and your student’s needs. 


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By Lecia Sun

Lecia is a student at Tufts University studying Classics and World Literature. When she is not reading, she can be found attempting the New York Times Games, trying out a new creative hobby, and dreaming about her next great bake. 


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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Early Bird Gets The Worm: How to Utilize Your Mornings For A Brighter Day

Wednesday, March 13th, 2024

To most college students, waking up early seems like a catastrophe. I’ve had my fair share of doing everything in my power to dodge 8 am classes during registration and being late to early morning shifts because I slept in. But if you’re having trouble managing your time during the day, taking advantage of the time before your day starts may be beneficial to you. 

A beautiful Boston sunrise.

During my freshman year, I had trouble finding time in the day to do everything I needed to. Balancing school, work, and dance, I only had so many free hours in the day to get my work done. At the time my classes started around 11 or 12, and afterward, I always had work or dance practice. By the end of the day, I was exhausted, but still had loads of schoolwork to do before I could go to bed. This cycle quickly wore me out, and soon I had to start thinking of other ways to make my days productive. At first, I tried staying up late at night and sleeping later in the day. I found this only made me less productive since forcing myself to stay up late usually resulted in me falling asleep at my desk. I tried to find time in the middle of the day between classes and shifts, but it was never enough. I’d always have enough time to start assignments but never finish them. The only time left was the morning, and since my classes started around noon, in theory, I could wake up an hour or two earlier. The last thing I wanted to do was to force myself up to work, but I thought I would at least give it a try and see if I could fit in some work before my busy days even started. 

At first, it was difficult. Some days I would shut the early alarms off and roll over for more sleep, others I would drag myself out of bed as much as I could, but give up once I made it to my desk. Through a combination of setting 2 to 3 alarms each day and getting to bed earlier at night, I was slowly able to start waking up on time. After getting over the initial hump of waking up early, I started getting into the groove of working in the morning. I found that I was more productive at the start of the day, and had an easier time staying focused on the task at hand. It also made me feel more accomplished when I woke up and worked in the morning. Before noon, I had already checked a few things off my to-do list which gave me confidence. Another perk of getting an early start is that I’d come home with little or no work to do in the evening, and I’d be able to relax and go to sleep instead of pushing myself to keep working in exhaustion. 

When you’re struggling with productivity, the most important thing to do is to put yourself first. Think about the times of day when you feel most energized and productive, but also think about times you had never considered before. Getting up early seemed impossible to me at first, but once I started doing it it completely changed how I structured my day and got my work done. Think about times of the day you’ve ignored in the past and ask yourself how you can utilize them for a brighter day!

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By Sidnie Paisley Thomas

Sidnie is a Sophomore at Emerson College in Boston studying creative writing and post-colonial literature. In her free time, you can find her hitting up her local thrift store, playing her favorite records, or reading a new book.

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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Pitfalls of Chasing the Clock

Friday, March 8th, 2024

The countdown is never-ending, the countdown for the next test, for the next paper, for finals. During my practice, the timer does not stop. It consumes my efforts to have the fastest time and be the most efficient and skilled on and off the water. As busy college students, we are all familiar with the feeling of searching for time. What I’ve learned, and still am learning, is the importance of prioritizing, taking a step back, and recognizing what I want and need to accomplish and how much I have already done. 

There are moments during the school year when I’ve felt stuck in an endless cycle of completing a task and beginning a new one. Overwhelmed and unsure of where to start, focusing and using precious time effectively becomes difficult. Everyone’s way of coping and time management strategies varies, but for me, I found breaking down my work into smaller tasks and dedicating blocks of time to work on these more straightforward assignments is the best way to feel accomplished at the end of a busy day and set up to do it all over again in the morning.

Latin homework translations on the Amtrak

This strategy primarily works when I’m in season, and my weekends typically spent studying or writing essays are taken up by races. Instead of struggling to make up for the lost time, I find myself reading my assigned texts while working out for extra steady-state minutes or listening to news podcasts while walking to class. Multi-tasking has become a convenient way to finish simple tasks, and when I have larger chunks of time in my schedule, I can dedicate those to completing more daunting assignments such as drafting my close-reading analysis paper or studying for my Latin exam. Despite these time constraints, I always know I can meet any task and deadline and not crack under time pressure. I always remind myself to be kind to my needs and mind, knowing that my essays, projects, and homework assignments were completed with my best foot forward. 

Reading a Shakespeare play outside

Creating time with these means proves it’s not about going through the motions but setting intentions and feeling confident in the process. There will be days when you trip and fall, perhaps working too hard on one assignment and dedicating no time to studying for an upcoming exam, but there will also be days when you find your stride in your productivity, seizing rather than spending time in ways that are most beneficial to you. 

There is only so much time students have in a day. While it may be frustrating, it is crucial to remember that there will always be another day, another opportunity to begin again and seize the day with intention. By breaking down challenging tasks, there will always be a way to make time for yourself and truly enjoy college life.


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By Lecia Sun

Lecia is a student at Tufts University studying Classics and World Literature. When she is not reading, she can be found attempting the New York Times Games, trying out a new creative hobby, and dreaming about her next great bake. 


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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All That Glitters is Not Gold: How to Surround Yourself With The Right People

Wednesday, March 6th, 2024
A picture I took at the Isabella Stuart Gardener Museum, a fun place for a friend date.

In college, it’s important to have friends who support you through the good times and the bad. When things get rough, having people to reach out to for help and support can make a world of difference. During some of my roughest times, I was lucky enough to have friends who did everything they could to make me feel better. But finding an amazing friend group was no easy feat.  

At the beginning of freshman year, I was determined to make as many friends as possible. In high school, I was extremely shy and stuck to a small group of friends, never branching out. While I was happy living this way, I knew that I limited myself to the same people because I was afraid of being judged for putting myself out there. In this new chapter of my life, I was determined to try something new. I didn’t want to let my anxiety stop me from meeting amazing people. So during orientation, I pushed myself to my social limit and spoke to every person who’d listen. It was difficult since I wasn’t used to being so social, but not impossible since orientation was a time for everyone to put themselves out there. I met a lot of different kinds of people from different backgrounds and places I had never spoken to before. It was exciting to immerse myself in an environment full of people from all around the world. But at the same time, it was exhausting, and my social energy slowly drained throughout the week. By the time classes started, I was back in my introverted shell, dreading all of the icebreaker activities during syllabus week. 

In my efforts to expand my friend horizons, I met many great people but also some not-so-great ones. I’ll never regret putting myself out there, but I do regret my decision to ignore my gut feelings about people under the guise of being open and welcoming to new people. I had a friend first-semester freshman year and the first time we met I remember feeling like he was nice–but there was something off about him. In my efforts to form close friendships with as many people as possible, I ignored it in favor of getting to know him better. At first, our friendship was normal, we talked a lot about music and books since we were both music lovers and writing majors. As the semester went on we started closer than I ever expected we would be. That strange feeling from when we first met remained, but since I exhausted myself from pretending to be a social butterfly, I didn’t have the confidence to tell him how I felt. Slowly, as I started forming closer relationships with other friends, he started to get upset and felt like I owed him my time and friendship. By the end of the semester, I had to end our relationship after he became hostile towards my other friends. As it was all unfolding, I felt guilty that I let this person hurt my friends because I didn’t trust myself in the beginning. While it’s important to put yourself out there, your comfort and safety always have to come first. If I never pushed myself beyond my social limit and trusted my gut feeling about that friend, I would’ve been in a better place to create more meaningful relationships. In the end, it all worked out because in future relationships I trusted my gut and ran for the hills when I felt uncomfortable or strange. Now I have the best group of funny supportive friends, who are always there for me when I need them.

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By Sidnie Paisley Thomas

Sidnie is a Sophomore at Emerson College in Boston studying creative writing and post-colonial literature. In her free time, you can find her hitting up her local thrift store, playing her favorite records, or reading a new book.

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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Learning The American Way

Saturday, March 2nd, 2024

I moved to New York a couple months back from New Delhi, India. Needless to say, India and America are polar opposites. So naturally, it took a while for me to figure out the ins and outs of the way America functions. However, my familiarity with American culture through watching sitcoms and my previous travels helped ease the cultural shock. 

One stark contrast between the two is the strong sense of individualism among Americans, particularly New Yorkers. They often prefer to maintain their personal space, seemingly unaffected by their surroundings, a trait that can evoke both frustration and gratitude. This trait proves advantageous during moments of solitude, allowing for you to burst out into tears in the middle of the street or on the subway- you know you will not be judged because people here simply do not care enough to be bothered by it.  Although, at times it can also be exasperating when seeking assistance, as cries for help are often overlooked before someone eventually offers to help. Over time, I have learned to avoid lingering glances at passersby, which is something every New Yorker would advise you to do if you ever plan on visiting the city. 

Another aspect that struck me about this place was the prevalence of consumerism. I’ve bought more items here that aren’t strictly necessary than I have throughout my entire life. Despite its drawbacks like any other city in the world, New York stands as an unparalleled hub of opportunity, where the very air buzzes with potential the moment you step foot in the city. It truly is a concrete jungle where dreams are made. 

Personally, my productivity has increased amidst the city’s energy. Of course there are mornings when my bed feels like a magnet pulling me in, but the instant I step outside the city’s fast pace carries me forward effortlessly. This has taught me a vital lesson, your room is not a jail, your mind is. 

The food scene took a while getting adjusted to, although it wasn’t as daunting as I expected it to be. New York’s diverse culinary landscapes offering cuisines from around the world definitely helped ease the transition, especially with the availability of Indian food, in spite of which the longing for home cooked meals remains. Nothing quite matches the comfort of a meal prepared with familiar spices and flavors- something impossible to replicate. 

Yet, while exploring restaurants and cuisines, I discovered places which cater to my taste buds. One standout experience was during a visit to my aunt’s home in New Jersey when we went to this Mexican restaurant. The food there left a mark on my palette I will never forget. 

Navigating the subway system proved to be a significant hurdle for me, one that I continue to struggle with. Mastering the intricacies of the subway system is considered a pivotal moment in a New Yorker’s life. Despite having lived here for a couple of months, I still find myself relying heavily on my phone for guidance as missed stops and wrong trains have become too familiar. 

Hopefully, with time I will grow to navigate the subway by myself. However, until then my reliance on my phone persists since seeking assistance from people around is extremely daunting. 

In the end the transition from moving away from home to navigating a city where familiarity is scant can be challenging. But it’s with these invaluable experiences that you grow as a person. Always remember to be open minded and embrace the journey ahead, for it’s the unknown where the most profound transitions take place. 


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By Kimaaya Khanduja

Kimaaya grew up in New Delhi, India and is currently studying at Parsons School of Design at The New School in New York, pursuing a degree in Product Design.


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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A 20-Something’s Thoughts on Romance

Friday, March 1st, 2024

When I was younger, I never pictured myself in a relationship. While I know now that the experience isn’t all that uncommon, it felt anything but normal at the time. Other girls my age talked about crushes and respective prince charmings with the kind of enthusiasm I could only struggle to understand. Why did they care so much? Why put so much energy into something that seemed to only make life more complicated? What exactly was it about being with someone that made the world so fixated on love? I didn’t get it and firmly believed that I would never get it. That was, at least, until Ethan. 

I can’t say that it was love at first sight, nor could I say that the world stopped around us like so many movies before us did. But to quote a writer I enjoyed when I first met Ethan, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once. There’s a reason John Green is still proud of that line. Nothing else could describe the way it all happened so perfectly. He was someone I knew, then someone I admired, a friend who became a close friend, my best friend even, the best person I ever met, and then finally the only person I could see spending my life with. Slowly, and then all at once. I gradually got to know him, shared his interests and his jokes, and then suddenly he was all I could think about. 

I think Hollywood often has it all wrong concerning love, at least when it comes to real love in the modern age. The grand theatrics of old classics are alluring, after all, who wouldn’t want to be chosen over a lavish fortune or whisked away to untold adventure? Who wouldn’t want a Prince Charming? But the reality is that even Prince Charming’s palace will crumble if its foundation is lacking. Your partner could show up at your doorstep with as many roses as you like, but if you can’t hold an everyday conversation, what’s the point?

I believe that at its core, love is built upon a foundation of trust and understanding. Without these fundamental elements, even the most passionate relationships can falter. Trust forms the bedrock upon which love flourishes, without it you leave space for insecurity and imbalance. Understanding cultivates empathy and compassion so that partners to connect on a deeper level and navigate challenges with grace. Moreover, love thrives on balance, compromise, and care. It requires a delicate equilibrium where each partner’s needs are considered and respected, fostering a sense of equality and harmony. Romance is important in love, but relationships are so much more complicated than that. To insinuate anything else would be to insult the human spirit. After all, the only thing more complex than one human being is the connection between two.

It’s been nearly eight years since I met Ethan with us being a rare example of rather functional high school sweethearts. We’ve had countless dates, arguments, and rounds of all major holidays including the three-month gauntlet I have to go through to cover Christmas, his birthday, and Valentine’s Day all in a row. In all that time, I can firmly say without a hint of doubt that while we’ve grown together, we’ve also grown to understand what was really important when it came to maintaining a relationship. At least as much as humanly possible. In essence, love flourishes when trust, understanding, balance, compromise, and care are woven together to create a strong and resilient bond and I learned all that with Ethan by my side.


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By Isabella Bosso

Isabella is a junior Comics student at the School of Visual Arts and a self-described nerd shut-in. She grew up in Garfield, New Jersey and you can find her curled up with her dog playing the latest RPG with her boyfriend.


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.

Share