Archive for October, 2024

Why Letting Go is Essential

Tuesday, October 15th, 2024

There is something to be said about nostalgia. It’s a quiet perfume. Soft and sweet. Then, all of a sudden, stale and putrid. 

Every week, I sit in the common room with friends. I hear their laughter, teasing jokes, and lively discussions. When I look at them, ghosts pop out at me. Are they genuine, or like those I have been hurt by? I count their differences. I count their similarities. I take note. I crease the page of this memory, reminding myself to return to it later. I analyze it with a new lens, a new focus. Instead of being present, I am half stuck in the past, looking to confirm my fears, looking for that familiarity that I understand. 

Whether nostalgia or something stronger, the grasp the past holds on me leaves me constantly unfulfilled. I have always felt life was meant to be so much more than how it has been. That life is meant to be filled with adventures and sickeningly soft moments; if I am to do this thing called life, then why should it be just mediocre? 

Being stuck in the past prevents us from enjoying present experiences and having a fulfilled happy life. So how do we be more present? 

Everyone always asks me why I like rainy days. And I think: why should I enjoy a day any less just because it is raining? If anything it is an excuse to enjoy the small things in life (puddles and coffee!) all the more.

Step One: Let Go

When we consistently look towards the past and are reminded of it in negative ways that detract from our present experiences, we must first acknowledge and accept where we are. Often, I feel so much time has passed that I cannot truly still be affected by those things. But, ignoring the fact that I am indeed still affected by those things only hinders my healing. 

In this past year, I have tried to release my grip on the past. It has been hard. My therapist made me sit with myself and ask myself questions. She sat there in silent encouragement while I looked inward. I asked myself: why am I resistant to letting these memories go? I waited and eventually, I learned that to me, letting go of the experiences was almost like I was losing those people again and again. I queried further and with each response, I felt understanding. I granted myself self-compassion and  I was able to remove some of my resistance to moving forward. 

I then took the conscious steps forward to let go; this heavily focused on emotional release. When the past knocked on my door, I did not turn it away, nor did I openly embrace it, letting it consume me. Instead, I stared at it straight in the face, without judgment, and grieved. This emotional release alleviated much of the past’s control. 

In a similar fashion, when triggered, bringing up much more complex emotions regarding the past, I had to make space for my emotional release: to journal, to cry, to grieve, to be angry, and to surrender to the emotional wave, but to not to let it consume me. One way is through grounding techniques: breath work, tensing and releasing each muscle individually, planting feet on the floor, or spending some time alone in nature or with someone or something I love. After the wave crashes, I look towards my values, needs, and wants, so I may consciously make a decision that reflects myself and not my past and fears. 

Graphics from the T

Step Two: Be Present 

Life can be consistently overwhelming. There are to-do lists, pressures to be extraordinary, a desire to be perfect, and of course the dread of time. These things will likely always be there. So, to be present and enjoy life, the key is appreciating life for what it is. 

In her book, “Everything Beautiful,” Ella Frances Sanders writes: “There is almost always reassurance and meaning to be found in the smallest of things, in the smallest of beauties.” Sanders describes how appreciating the smallest things in life can bring comfort, and quiet serenity in the most overwhelming of moments. 

The squirrels always make my day!

After reading this book I set myself a challenge. Every day I would find at least one thing to find beauty in. I specifically mean the beauty of life and humanity. Sometimes this is the squirrels kneading the grass with their small paws, or an elderly couple walking through the park, or just the consistent sound of city-goers experiencing their lives in such a tight space that we are at once together and apart. 

Appreciating beauty in all its forms allows me to surrender to the present moment and find fulfillment even in the smallest things, and even during overwhelming times. This practice softens the creases in my heart and eases my worries about the future. Because even if everything is uncertain, there is always this: the beauty of life. 

Halloween is coming up! If you are feeling a bit strapped for cash and would love to support research, one way is to donate blood to RBC LLC. Be sure to drink enough water, get enough sleep, and eat a good hearty meal before you donate!

Molly Peay is pursuing her BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston. She is a transfer student who graduated from a JC with an English Associate’s Degree and a General Studies Associate with an emphasis in Culture and Communication. She is passionate about leadership, advocacy, writing, and sharing new voices through art.

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International Students Club: Nightlife

Friday, October 11th, 2024

Let’s be honest. As amazing as Boston is, it can seem like a very 21+ city at first glance. It seems like the only way to have a fun nightlife out here is to drink in bars, and that is simply not doable for most college students. Especially as an international student, I remember feeling quite childish when I first realized that I couldn’t just walk into any bar or club like I could back home, where the legal drinking age is 18. Even if you don’t plan to drink, places simply won’t let you in based on your age. For many international students, not having the option to go out at night can be jarring and potentially cause some loneliness. Since nightlife is part of entertainment, this next chapter of International Students Club: Making Community Through Entertainment is about how to have fun without relying on a fake ID. These options may not be strictly “nightlife,” but are activities that are amplified by doing them during the nighttime! 

In addition to some of my personal recommendations and places my friends have recommended to me, I first wanted to share that Amy Laskowski lists some great options in Hub Hotspots for the Under 21 Crowd. Yelp also has updated options for 2024 in the Top 10 Best 18 Plus Clubs Near Boston, Massachusetts. The majority of these recommendations include clubs, but your nightlife can include more than just loud noises and dancing. For those who want more variety in their nightly activities, I have some great recommendations for your Friday and Saturday nights. 

One of my favorite spots is the Knight Moves Cafe in Brookline. It’s a lovely spot to drink hot cocoa, enjoy snacks, and play board games until 2 AM. The entrance fee for this cafe on the weekends is $15 and the waitlist usually moves quickly. The way my friends and I go about it is we take the T to Brookline, put our names on the waitlist at the cafe, and then go to Brookline Booksmith, that’s only five minutes away, to browse books until we get called back. The rest of the night is then spent drinking coffee, playing games, and enjoying a cozy night among fellow gamers. 

Knight Moves board games / Courtesy of Knight Moves Board Game Cafe 

The next options are Manray and Xmortis, a couple of 18+ clubs that my friends have enjoyed and raved about. Each Friday night at Manray is themed and offers fun opportunities to dress up, and Xmortis holds goth nights on the second Friday of each month. The dress code requires you to dress up in all black and it offers a chance to have some fun with goth-style makeup! Both of these clubs are also quite safe as they are 18+ and they would be fun to go to in groups. 

The next activity I recommend for large groups is late-night karaoke! Nothing feels quite as cathartic as blasting famous songs on the speakers and yelling lyrics at the top of your lungs without the need to sound even remotely good. The one I went to was Station Bistro & KTV in Chinatown, which I recommend. It had cute private rooms, an endless menu to choose from, and a great selection of songs. 

As a quick bonus, an inexpensive activity to tack on before your late-night adventures is biking! If you haven’t gone biking with friends from 6 PM to 8 PM, it’s one of the most fun experiences ever. The Esplanade in Boston was less crowded during that time, so we got plenty of room to bike around for however long we wanted to rent the bikes. 

Being underage in Boston doesn’t have to be boring! Look around, and you will find plenty of opportunities to make the most of your weekends. 

Enjoy 10% off Cambridge Naturals with this coupon and your student ID!

By Natia Kirvalidze 

Natia Kirvalidze studies Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is a Publishing Intern at Campus Clipper, serves as the Features Editor for Page Turner Magazine, and is the Managing Editor of Green Magazine. She enjoys playing chess, hiking, and making checklists. 

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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Intentionality as a Young Adult: Creative Ways to Make Food

Friday, October 11th, 2024

Moving onto campus this semester was extra stressful for me. My college has a Los Angeles campus, and I committed to coming out here for the fall. I had never been to the West Coast before, so I knew I was in for a culture shock. On top of that, I was living with a group of people I barely knew and was scared about being able to connect with them. However, the number one thing that eased all of my anxieties was bringing a classic familial tradition to the suite — a Labor Day barbeque! Each of us in the suite brought a dish, cooking together through the afternoon. In a semester where my meal plan mainly consists of gift cards to grocery stores, this was a great way to ease some of my fears about cooking for myself consistently. 


A picture one of my suitemates took of us all enjoying the cookout! 

Ultimately, making food is so personal from person to person. It can be very daunting to figure out just what type of cooking you enjoy — or if you even like cooking! For some people, that’s just really not their thing. That’s not necessarily an issue, but you should still be able to find ways to create a good relationship with food. With the rise of social media and a bigger focus than ever on bodies and self-image, it can be easy for food to become the enemy. So finding unique ways to engage with recipes and restaurants is important, especially for college students! You want to figure out sustainable solutions now because feeding yourself is a problem that is never going to go away. 

First, identify what specific types of food you are looking for. Are there cultural dishes you enjoy? Do you need to be eating healthy? What food feels good for your body? These are the first questions you have to ask yourself. Don’t be afraid to think critically about the food you’re eating. As I mentioned in my previous chapters, identify what you find valuable in your life. 

Once you know what you like, figure out what type of food is the most realistic to make with your schedule. If you have back-to-back classes most days, maybe prioritize meal-prepping things that can be easily grabbed during your breaks. If you work from home for long hours, find some fun recipes you can make during your lunch break to shake up the monotony. 

One of my favorite things to do to make food exciting has been to find food influencers that I enjoy. Particularly on TikTok and YouTube, where you can watch people cook — even cook along with them — has sparked ideas of my own. I’ve listed some of my favorites below. 

  • @porkypigeats on TikTok: This is a really cute account that remakes many recipes from Stardew Valley, one of my favorite video games. Not only are these recipes pretty easy overall, but if you ever find yourself getting hungry while playing the game, this is the perfect way to have a 4D experience!
  • @halfbakedharvest on TikTok: This is some of the most aesthetically pleasing food that has ever crossed my For You Page, so these are at least beautiful videos to watch. However, this creator also makes a ton of bowls, which tend to be one of my personal favorite types of meals. 
  • @kaelyngutierrez on TikTok: This is a more lighthearted account, but I love cooking along with Kaelyn! While she doesn’t usually give distinct recipes, her passion for cooking and expertise around all kinds of food makes me feel more comfortable too. Particularly her ease handling meat has made me a lot more confident in my own meat-handling abilities. 

Cookbooks can also be a really fun way to find recipes, especially because of the sheer amount out there. I know a lot of younger people can think of cookbooks as boring, associating them with the dusty ones hidden in the back of your parent’s’ kitchen. But there’s so many cookbooks out there, particularly ones related to different media. Pick your favorite mainstream movie or TV show, and chances are, there’s a cookbook to go along with it. Do you enjoy watching Emily’s adventures through Paris? Check out Emily in Paris: The Official Cookbook by Kim Laidlaw. More of a fantasy person? There’s a handful of Game of Thrones and Harry Potter cookbooks out there. Just associating your food with your favorite piece of media can make it so much more enjoyable. 

All this to say, there are plenty of ways to make food exciting for yourself. Even if you’re not that good of a chef, eating doesn’t have to be a chore. Figuring out how to make food creative can add so much value to your life in so many unexpected ways. 



On a lazier day, you can get some great food from The Maharaja for 20% off! Just use this coupon and bring your student ID for any takeout order. 

By Izzy Astuto

Izzy Astuto (he/they) is a writer currently majoring in Creative Writing at Emerson College, with a specific interest in screenwriting. His work has previously been published by Hearth and Coffin, Sage Cigarettes, and The Gorko Gazette, amongst others. He is currently a reader for journals such as PRISM international and Alien Magazine. You can find more of their work on their website, at https://izzyastuto.weebly.com/. Their Instagram is izzyastuto2.0 and Twitter is adivine_tragedy. 


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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Dear No One: Letters That Stay Unsent

Monday, October 7th, 2024

I’ve written a fair share of letters in my day. It’s the romantic in me who feels written words, those that are so exquisitely accurate in their portrayal of love and loss, are the pinnacle of my existence. If I love someone, I have to write to them; it’s instinctive. This doesn’t mean, however, that I send all or even the majority of the letters I write. That is the coward in me, too afraid people will hold me to the words I write at a specific moment in time, too embarrassed to have a crowd of recipients holding physical evidence of my admiration for them.

As a general rule, the best course of action for most situations is to be honest and share your feelings with others. If you love them, admire them, miss them, are happy for them, or want to let them know you’re thinking of them, then, by all means, send them a letter! As long as you are not hurting anyone by sending this letter, there is no reason to be ashamed of your feelings. More importantly, you could make someone’s day. For me, nothing is more touching than receiving a handwritten letter from someone I care about. When I die, bury me in a coffin full of all the letters written to me.

Sometimes I do work at Emerson, sometimes I take a whole meeting room to myself and take selfies in the sunlight. First come, first serve.

A different truth is, of course, that life goes on. People hurt one another, lose touch, or slowly fade into the background of one’s existence. Things are constantly fluctuating, changing in ways we can’t prepare for. We are so busy! Work, school, internships; new friends, new subway lines, new bars; a big love, a big house, a big quarter-life crisis. Our minds are often scrambled, just trying to get through the motions of everyday life and enjoy it as it comes. Then, it creeps up on you, that random Friday afternoon. You hear a song you haven’t heard in a while, and it brings you back to a few years ago. Time freezes as you relive a life that you are so far removed from you wonder if it was ever even yours. Now, you’ve found yourself missing people you shouldn’t, realizing the window of opportunity to reach out has long passed, rightfully so. You’re flooded with nostalgia, rose-colored and inflated. Pouring your heart and soul out to them now would be more than wrong. 

Alexa, play ‘Bad Idea, Right?’ by Olivia Rodrigo. Let this be a call to all the dewy-eyed girlies: Do NOT listen to that voice in your head telling you to make a harmless phone call to people who’ve hurt you. You have an alternative, and while it may not be as riveting of a story to tell at the cute cocktail spill-all, it is the healthier thing to do. The past is in the past, and you will never get it back, nor should you want to! More importantly, you are not the person you once were, and that is a good thing. Understand, too, that sometimes it is simply fun to reminisce, to repaint the past with the fresh perspective of a refined frontal lobe, but that doesn’t mean you should run with your naivety, expecting a new rendition of your past to become your reality.

A photo I took of two kids hanging out in Seaport, 2022.

Such circumstances as these are the perfect times to write a letter that is purposefully intended to not be sent anywhere. You can say everything you want to say, feel everything you want to feel, and simply tear it up (or burn it, which is thrilling!) when you’re done reading it over. There’s no regret, no embarrassment, no hurting others by bringing unsolicited memories back into fruition, and no risking your current peace. This is your chance to leave the “But What If?” to die. 

That being said, my favorite place to write letters I’ll never send is in my journal. Sometimes I will rip the pages out, crumble them, and toss them in the recycling bin. Other times I will leave them in my journal to look back on. I have also burned a few. Occasionally, I type them up and pretend I’m Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail, but I usually just put a lock on the document until I feel I’ve outgrown whatever  I wrote down, and then I trash it. I’ve even dropped a few letters in the mailbox with no return or send address. One, I’m not proud of is when I sent a letter down a river, which was environmentally careless, but I was desperate for some kind of cinematic, main character energy to justify my emotions (Ah, to be 18 again). Ultimately, it doesn’t matter where you write your letter or in what way you discard it afterward. As long as you get the cathartic release you need, you’ve done yourself some good, and you should be proud.

Get arts and crafty this fall and save 10% at Blick with a student account!

Brenna Sheets is a graduate student in Emerson College’s Writing and Publishing M.A. program. She is also a teacher, currently specializing in middle school history. Her hobbies include going on long walks, reading and writing, and watching bad television.

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How the past can hold you back

Monday, October 7th, 2024

Over the past six weeks of college, there is one truth I’ve come to realize: I am not the person I thought I was.

During orientation, I met someone—someone great. They are sweet, gentle, smart, funny, and self-aware. But, with each touch, whispered word, and boisterous laughter, I find myself stuck. I am halfway down the cliff and yet tethered to the top by a long painful rope. It extends and extends into my past, to the place I’ve struggled to reconcile for the better part of my adult life. 

I wish to cut the rope and take the plunge, but I dangle. My hands tug and tug, but the tether won’t budge. Somehow, struggling only tightens it: each string that makes up the rope ties to a memory. Just touching one causes me to get tangled in my emotions. That is the deal with trauma; sometimes you get lost in the mix. 

Now, I find myself in a constant struggle between where I am and where I want to be—a constant fight between letting the rope pull me farther and farther back into the past, or slowly letting each string weaken so their hold on me loosens and breaks altogether. 

A daily walk through the park for mindfulness practice!

Unprocessed feelings can never really be suppressed. They will always find ways to pop up again. If we want to live the life we dream of, the key is letting go. We can not let the past hold us back. 

  1. Recognize the need for support: when we feel persistent emotions like anxiety, panic, sadness, or fear, it is a clear sign that we need more support. We may also have trouble concentrating, have a desire to isolate, or have unexplained physical symptoms like chronic fatigue or headaches. Friends, family, partners, and especially therapists are great outlets that can help us ride the wave of our emotions, and find resolution within ourselves. 
  2. Use strategies to break free from the past: Everyone has a strategy that works best for them. Journaling, mindfulness meditations, creative hobbies, boundaries, therapy (talk, EMDR, brain spotting, or otherwise), or just practicing self-compassion are all great ways to let go of the past. 

Throughout my journey, I have gotten support through therapy, friends, family, and through all of the strategies listed. They have all helped me make sense of my truth amidst all the confusing feelings. 

However, sometimes we cannot change because we are simply so stuck in the past that we don’t know how else to be. We feel as though life is happening to us; we are just a cog in the machine—a robot going through the machinations of life. How do we snap out of it? 

The leaves are changing! I am so excited!

When I was in my teens, I felt I was never truly conscious. I went to school. I dated. I made friends, but I was not deliberate with my life. Then, I stumbled across a podcast: The Self Healers Soundboard by The Holistic Psychologist. In the third episode titled: Chapter 2: The Conscious Self: Becoming Aware, Dr. Nicole LePera and Co-host Jenna Weakland describe different strategies to become more conscious. One of the practical tools Dr. Nicole LePera discusses is the “consciousness check-in.” A consciousness check-in is when we stop and observe our thoughts, our feelings, and our body. We can set an alarm on our phone for a certain time of day, to consistently check in and remind ourselves to be conscious of what we are thinking about and how we are feeling. 

The podcast was extremely helpful for me as I put their wisdom to practice. My next step, however, was identifying my values. I value communication, honesty, and self-concordance. With these values in mind, and having achieved a higher level of awareness (than I previously had), I was able to live life more deliberately. 

So, on this journey, when I am stuck between the past and where I want to be, I check in with myself and my values. I figure out my triggers and ride the wave of my emotions. One thing is for sure: I have to let the threads of my past slip away, so I can take on the here and now and finally be who I want to be. 

Hobbies are a great way to unleash your creative side and express your emotions! Students save 10% off when they sign up for a preferred customer account at BLICK!

Molly Peay is pursuing her BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston. She is a transfer student who graduated from a JC with an English Associate’s Degree and a General Studies Associate with an emphasis in Culture and Communication. She is passionate about leadership, advocacy, writing, and sharing new voices through art.

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International Students Club: Books

Friday, October 4th, 2024

I simply cannot continue with this International Students Club: Making Community Through Entertainment series without including books. As a serial book lover, it’s imperative to not discredit books as one of the best sources of entertainment. Books are often overlooked when entertainment comes into the conversation because they’re probably the most time-consuming way to have fun. The act of reading, however, and creating or joining communities with other like-minded bibliophiles is a fantastic way to connect with people through a shared hobby. 

The first step to making a community through bookish entertainment is book clubs. The great thing about book clubs is that they are literally everywhere. Check your university’s student organizations and there will likely be a book club of some sort. If there isn’t one that suits your reading tastes, you can always start your own! If you start showing up consistently, bonds will inevitably spark. At Emerson College for example, where I attend as an undergraduate, the main book club is called Emerson Reads, previously known as Emerson Reads YA. They host monthly meetings about the book they picked that month, while also holding all sorts of fun events to relax, talk about books, and make cute bookish items, such as bookmarks. 

In-person book clubs are not the only option, however. Fable is a great app to join or create virtual book clubs. You can even buy the e-books straight from the app, making it a one-stop shop and social media for buying books, tracking them, rating and reviewing, joining clubs, and making posts about anything book-related. I myself have joined book clubs hosted by some of my favorite book content creators on YouTube, and it’s been fun to see everyone’s reactions. Apps like Storygraph and Goodreads are also great tools for tracking your reading and interacting with other users about books.  

Courtesy of Fable / Mashable

I also recommend going out into the physical world and exploring bookstores aside from the typical Barnes & Noble. Going out to independent bookstores is such a fun and exciting way to get to know your community. Go with friends or go alone — it’s a different experience every time. I also suggest being on the lookout for author talks and signing events. Many independent bookstores partner with authors to have them talk about their newly released books. Most of these events are completely free to attend and the authors will usually sign their books too! And as a little caveat, don’t neglect your local libraries. Libraries often also hold talks and author events, writing workshops, and book clubs of their own. 

Brattle Book Shop / Courtesy of Brattle Book Shop / Ziptopia  

The last thing worth knowing about is to watch out for book festivals. The Boston Book Festival is an annual festival being held on Saturday, October 26th this year. According to the Boston Book Festival website, “The Boston Book Festival celebrates the power of words to stimulate, agitate, unite, delight, and inspire by holding year-round events culminating in an annual, free Festival that promotes a culture of reading and ideas and enhances the vibrancy of our city.” The festival is in Copley Square, it’s completely free to attend, and registration is not required. So, show up, browse books, talk to authors and literary agents, and have some fun! If you would like to volunteer at the Boston Book Festival, you can register on their website

The Boston Book Festival / Courtesy of Olivia Nadel / Boston Book Festival / GBH

These ideas are just a few ways to create and join communities through shared hobbies such as reading. These tips may be especially helpful for international students because apps like Fable can connect you with other readers from across the world, bookstores can host authors and events that represent different cultures and groups of people, and The Boston Book Festival is known for its inclusion and celebration of all kinds of people. These avenues are truly wonderful if you want to appreciate book culture, but may be apprehensive if there is a space for you. In the book world, there is always space for everyone. 

Use this student discount to get a FREE coffee with any $5 purchase at TaiyakiNYC in Cambridge!

By Natia Kirvalidze 

Natia Kirvalidze studies Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is a Publishing Intern at Campus Clipper, serves as the Features Editor for Page Turner Magazine, and is the Managing Editor of Green Magazine. She enjoys playing chess, hiking, and making checklists. 

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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Intentionality as a Young Adult: Creative Ways To Make Money

Friday, October 4th, 2024

When looking for internships for this summer, I stumbled across Spoon University, a blog run through the organization Her Campus, that aims to make food content written by college students for college students. If you’ve been keeping up with the rest of my chapters, you’ll know that this is quite literally my dream gig. I applied, thrilled that there was something out there so uniquely up my alley. Due to my passion for food, I got the internship. Even though it’s now over, I still write with them to this day, getting to cover some of the most exciting food releases and restaurants. 

This was a paid position, and I was also sent food regularly for review. However, this wouldn’t have been possible for me to achieve without marketing my skills. If you would like to do the same, don’t worry — that’s what I’m here to tell you how to do!

When applying to Spoon, I went on a very common rant that I would give my friends — my opinions on the Dunkin’ Spring 2024 menu. From my interview, I gathered that this had definitely made me stand out from the competition. So my first piece of advice is to do your research! Within your specific passion, find niche topics that you know you can consistently talk about and feel like you’re well-educated on. If you only passively enjoy something and don’t have developed opinions on it, maybe it’s not the right passion for you to try and make money from. You want to be able to call yourself an expert on this thing and mean it!

Picture I took of myself trying TikTok’s viral fluffy coke for Spoon University this summer. 

Another example of a creative way I’ve made money is through music reviews. I had been writing for music blogs through my college for the past few years, until I found a website called EveryDejaVu. As a student who attends college in Boston for the majority of the year, I found out about this publication through many of the local artists I had written about. This leads to my next recommendation, which is don’t be afraid of reaching out to smaller organizations within your community! Just because it’s a smaller organization doesn’t mean they don’t have funding, and big-name brands certainly aren’t everything. 

When you’re applying to jobs and especially internships, it can be very tempting to only apply to places you’ve already heard of before and admire. But some of the best places I’ve worked have been companies I’ve only found because I’ve been applying. These businesses tend to place a much bigger focus on work-life balance, and can even sometimes pay better than working for a bigger name. 

I also really recommend leaning fully into your interest of choice. Don’t be afraid of doing work just because you like it, without the promise of money at the end! I tend to go to a lot of both in-person and virtual writing events, like writing workshops. Through these, I’ve been able to get writing gigs just through the power of networking. For years, I had served as a reader for multiple literary magazines pro bono, just learning how they worked. But after rubbing elbows with the right people and expressing my true passion for this field, I’ve gotten jobs as a judge in writing contests, an opportunity that has paid up to $50 per contest! When you find the right people to share your passions with, amazing things can happen. 

Ultimately, these probably won’t become your full source of income. Especially at the beginning, it may take a while to actually make money this way. But I do find these options significantly more heartfelt than the often soulless get-rich-quick schemes like filling out surveys for hours on end, to only receive maybe $10 by the end of it. I especially think these can be great options for college students who often fill their free time with extracurriculars anyway. These are just like that, but with the potential of a surprising amount of extra cash!  


When you make that extra money, this is a great place to spend it! Especially with this 20% off coupon, that you just have to bring to the store along with your Student ID.

By Izzy Astuto

Izzy Astuto (he/they) is a writer currently majoring in Creative Writing at Emerson College, with a specific interest in screenwriting. His work has previously been published by Hearth and Coffin, Sage Cigarettes, and The Gorko Gazette, amongst others. He is currently a reader for journals such as PRISM international and Alien Magazine. You can find more of their work on their website, at https://izzyastuto.weebly.com/. Their Instagram is izzyastuto2.0 and Twitter is adivine_tragedy. 


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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Right and Wrong and In-The-Middle

Thursday, October 3rd, 2024

When I was younger—like elementary-school-age—I was always the most talkative person in the room. When I tell people that nowaday, they think it’s the funniest thing in the world since I’m so different, but it’s just how I was! I loved making my thoughts known and letting the world know who I was. It didn’t always work out in my favor, though. 

I remember this one soccer practice where I tried to play along with a joke another group was making. All I got was three pairs of eyes staring at me, and someone muttering something like “what was that?” Whatever, kids are mean. I was too, probably. What I’ve realized over time is that people are capable of changing, and that holding grudges only makes things worse for yourself. 

Miscommunication was always my issue. Everyone miscommunicates sometimes, but for me it felt like the end of the world every time it happened. Like I’d failed the most basic part of life. I’d always  say things and get misunderstood, or my words would come out wrong but I wouldn’t always realize. When I did realize it sent me into great distress. Spoken words seem to fail me when they matter most. That still holds true now.  

Me!

When I was about twelve I realized I wasn’t being received how I wanted to be, and I made an effort to close myself off, quiet down a bit. To put it simply, the goal was to be liked. I think maturing and growing up a little in college (and hopefully more in the future too) is realizing that it’s impossible to be liked by everyone, or to even get along with everyone. Making such a huge effort to be liked is just not worth it. It’s exhausting. I’d bend over backwards and shape myself into an entirely different person to try to get through the day. I’ve tried to figure out the solution to the problem of communication—or conversation—but I think there isn’t a clear-cut solution. Everyone’s different; everyone wants different things. I’m still quiet and a bit careful with my words, but I’m trying to find that balance. To be a bit more free to express myself. 

I was always told college is where you meet your “lifelong friends,” so when I first entered college and didn’t immediately click with someone I took it as a personal failure. There’s so much pressure in that first week, you forget you still have the rest of those four years to get through. 

I think there’s no right or wrong answer to when you meet your lifelong friends. And there’s also no right or wrong answer to who will, or can, be your friend. But if you continue to put in an effort, any friendship can last a long time. I mean, there’s been friendships I’ve let go of for this reason or that, but I do feel like there’s certain people I can see after a year and it still feels the same as it always did. That type of friendship is precious. It’s a fragile thing that requires love and effort that you have to be willing to give. 

It was difficult, but eventually I found my people. You can’t force things like that. If you force them they fall apart, which is what a lot of us learn in our first years at college. 

I started to understand what I look for in a friend as I spent time in different circles, floating around. People came into my life and left it. Life is an endless cycle of “hellos” and “goodbyes.” 

Relationships are the most confusing but the most rewarding thing in the world. 


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By: Meg Carey

Meg Carey is studying creative writing and publishing at Emerson College in Boston. They love reading and writing sci-fi, horror, and romance (bonus points if it’s all three), as well as poetry. You can find them on instagram @megcareywrites, and substack @megcarey.


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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Time to go

Tuesday, October 1st, 2024

When I was fifteen, my mom told me one of the most horrific things: Sometimes, you need to hit rock bottom before you can leave a relationship. Unfortunately, she was right. I stayed with my partner longer than I should have and allowed more than was right. A year later, I left. 

Hitting rock bottom is something I never wanted to do; but, I waited, ignoring all the signs that said to leave until I couldn’t anymore. When people ask me why I stayed so long, I try to think of the simplest answer. Sometimes I respond with: “Well, I thought he’d change.” Other times I think about the good moments that made it so hard to leave in the first place: the kisses, the promises, the laughter. 

Good moments are necessary in relationships, but in a toxic one, they are a tether—the shackles that keep you compliant. I dwelled on those good moments. I soaked up his promises. I basked in his laughter… I still remember my fifteenth birthday. The surprise parties (yes, two!) he planned; the ice cream cake he bought, which had no cake in it; and the scavenger hunt for presents. Those memories are still deeply planted in me five years later. Now that time has moved on, though, I don’t remember as many good memories between us. What I do remember, however, is the crying, arguing, and constant confusion. 

Puppy I met in Boston Gardens!

It isn’t healthy to wait until rock bottom. We endure more than we should, and we are likely to feel the effects even years later. So, how do we stop ignoring the signs of all our toxic relationships and finally let them go?

Sometimes the signs are clear: emotional disconnect, unhappiness, loss of trust, lack of respect, inability to communicate, different values or life goals, inability to grow, or just an innate sense of knowing. Other times, the signs are more complex, such as constant confusion, repulsion, or other physical symptoms. 

It is hard to broach these topics, to look at the people we care about and know that we should go our separate ways. It takes courage. So, how do we take those steps? 

  1. Admitting that something isn’t working in the relationship.
  2. Acknowledging that we’d like to let the relationship go.
  3. Understanding fear is natural: it’s okay to be scared, but we can’t let fear inhibit us from moving forward. 
  4. Shifting focus: instead of focusing on the good moments we may be losing, focus on the good that is to come. 
  5. Planning: it is always good to have a clear plan about how we want to communicate with the other person. A good place to start is to reflect on personal values. Do you value honesty? Do you value communication? Also, is it safe to communicate the truth or at all? All of these components should help you reflect on the best path forward. 
  6. Seek support: talk with people who care about you. This can be friends, family, a partner, or a therapist. Overall, sharing your feelings and concerns can help make you feel less alone and add the necessary support needed to take the next steps. 
  7. Practicing self-care: take care of your health—physical and mental. Through emotional upheaval, your body may be more tired or hungry; be sure to fuel your body appropriately and be compassionate with yourself. 
  8. Communicate: the biggest step to take is to let the other person know your decision. As mentioned, reflecting on personal values can help stitch together a good plan. Communication can be hard, so be patient with yourself. 
On a date with someone new!

It is normal and difficult to leave relationships when they don’t fit anymore. I was young when I entered into my aforementioned relationship. Maybe this impacted my staying—him being my first love and high school sweetheart. It was incredibly difficult to leave; but, at the end of the day, I knew when it was time to go. 

Now, he is just another person in my story, and I am just another person in his; we are both better for it. He is dating someone new and accomplishing his dreams. And I am bolder, freer, brighter. I lift up my arms and embrace this new city with the love of a child coming home—becoming the person I wanted to be all along. Letting go takes courage, but it is definitely worth it. 

Cafe Landwer is a great place to study, plan, or enjoy coffee and a sweet treat! Use code LANDWERSTUDENT to get $10 off your mobile order!

Molly Peay is pursuing her BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston. She is a transfer student who graduated from a JC with an English Associate’s Degree and a General Studies Associate with an emphasis in Culture and Communication. She is passionate about leadership, advocacy, writing, and sharing new voices through art.

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