Archive for August, 2025

Just Around the Corner: Cafe Habana

Sunday, August 31st, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Positives of Commuting (Statistically)

Saturday, August 30th, 2025

Statistically speaking, there is one positive to commuting to college–saving money. This post is going to reinforce your decision to commute, because it is a smart one. While it may sometimes not feel worth it, commuting from home will save you thousands in the long run.  

For this post, I have done some research on local dorm and apartment costs. I will be focusing on Boston. According to the Boston University International Students & Scholars Office  (ISSO) resource page, there are an estimated 250,000 students in Boston. Despite being home to many students, the prices are far from college kid friendly. 

Dorm Costs

Many college students reside on campus in the school affiliated housing. Dorms are usually small rooms where students live with roommates. Despite living communally and sharing facilities, the prices tend to be astronomically high.

I have elected to look into four Boston colleges and universities housing costs. While it is only a small percentage of the colleges in Boston, I believe it will be representative of most housing costs, as between the four there is only a slight discrepancy. 

The four colleges I looked into are:

  • Emerson College
  • Boston University
  • Suffolk University
  • Simmons University

The colleges/universities are all located in different areas of Boston. I pinned each location on the map to depict their distance.

Emerson College

My college is located near Downtown Boston, Chinatown, and the theater district. Located right in front of the Boston Commons, the school is in the heart of Boston. Housing is expensive; the college website provides an estimate of $21,652 for a year of housing for a standard double. This estimate includes housing and a meal plan. 

I lived in the dorms my freshman year. Emerson College guarantees housing and ‘requires’ all students to live on campus for three years. If you decide to commute or live off campus you must fill out a form relinquishing your right to guaranteed housing. 

My freshman year I lived in Little Building, the freshman only dorm. I was extremely lucky with my housing assignment as I was given a suite. It was equipped with a bathroom and the rooms were large. However, most people are not lucky and are placed in small rooms without bathrooms.

Little Building is particularly unique as there are lightwell dorms. These dorms are small and have one window that does not go directly outside. The architecture of the building creates a column where dorms face other dorms. Natural lighting is sparse in these dorms only coming from the open gap above. If the window blinds are left open other people can see into your room. It is definitely not worth the high cost for people stuck in lightwell dorms. 

Well I have no experience with the dorm conditions in surrounding Boston colleges, I will be listing their prices for reference. 

Suffolk University

This university is the most expensive on this short list of colleges, with the official Suffolk website estimating room and board to cost students $22,782. This is the price for a standard double, without a kitchen, and the required plan C meal plan. 

Boston University

Boston University has many different types of housing. However to live in a standard dorm (either a double, triple, or quad) it costs $19,970 according to their housing cost breakdown. 

Simmons University

Simmons University provides a breakdown of estimated student costs on their website. To live on campus it costs an estimated $18,146.


A chart created by Simmons University breaking down the estimated costs of attending university 
Highlighted are the room/board costs

Again, this chart emphasizes the amount that commuters save by living at home. While the off campus and at home numbers vary from student to student, the at home is drastically different. 

Apartment Living

Dorming is not the only option for college students. Many colleges don’t guarantee housing for all four years, therefore most people need to live off campus at some point.

Apartments in the city are small and costly. According to Apartments.com Boston is 115% more expensive than the rest of the country’s rent. Apartments range in cost, so sometimes you can get lucky. But even if you win the Boston lottery and find an apartment with a few roommates that will cost you $1,000, you still will be spending $12,000 for a one year lease. This doesn’t include utilities.

I decided to do a quick search on apartments. Using Apartments.com I found a few options. First I decided to use Emerson College as a marker. For anything remotely close to campus you will be paying at least $2,000, if you plan on living by yourself. I found one apartment slightly farther away, but still walkable, with a roommate the rent would be a reasonable $1,500. This apartment only includes a water utility. 

Across the many apartments I searched the average rent seems to be around $1,500. Therefore you will be likely spending an estimated $18,000 to $24,000 yearly for a small apartment that might not include utilities. 

The farther out of the city you go, prices get more reasonable. However, from my own experience looking into apartment living over the past few years, Massachusetts is expensive, even outside of Boston. Not only will you still be spending a decent amount of money, but the farther you go from campus, even in places where you can take the MBTA, you will have to factor this commute into your schedule. 

Living at Home

Living from home and commuting to school undeniably saves you money. According to the Simmons University estimated costs it will save approximately anywhere from $11,000 to $15,000 dollars. If you do it for multiple years, that adds up to a lot of money, quick. 

College is already so  expensive. Tuition prices require most students to take out loans, putting themselves into debt. If students can save any money in the four years of undergrad, logically they should. 

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Just Around the Corner: Cafe 2BY2

Friday, August 29th, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Just Around the Corner: Schmackary’s

Friday, August 29th, 2025

After another tumultuous and exhausting day at back-to-school orientation, I navigated several trains after the orange and yellow line were announced to be malfunctioning. The rainy day crept up on me, and I was drenched by the time I arrived to 14th Street, both in sweat and muddy puddle water. In that moment, all I wanted was good conversation and a sweet treat. Thankfully, Brady and I had agreed to spend an evening hour at Schmackary’s, a specialty shop with a knack for baking batches of cookies, situated just around the corner from New York University.

The colorful storefront and vast glass display of cookies may be overwhelming to some, but exciting to others. Brady and I were thrilled at the prospect of indulging in such a wide selection of flavors, as we both have big sweet tooths and big stomachs. We picked six different cookies, all of which were about as big as Brady’s hand. I also selected a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Rice Krispie treat, which was also rather large in size.

“So so good. Very sweet! It had Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal within the Rice Krispie and a sweet cereal milk glaze holding it together. Nice sweet frosting on top,” Brady gushed. “I wouldn’t normally gravitate toward Rice Krispies, but this was so good. Definitely recommend!”

This extremely chunky and thick treat had whole pieces of cereal and a smooth layer of cinnamon frosting atop. Some of our cookies paired nicely, like the Cookies and Cream, Worms n’ Dirt, Peanut Butter Cup, and Classic chocolate chip.

“The Worms n’ Dirt is super chocalate-y in the best way. The gummy worm on the top was not stale at all, which you might expect from a cookie. Almost better than a normal gummy worm,” Brady observed. “Chocolate lovers will love these.”

I found the Peanut Butter Cup to be the most intriguing, as it was a vegan selection and noted as a fan favorite. This baked good is characterized by its use of dark cocoa, peanut butter, peanut butter chips, and semi sweet chocolate, which create a heavily sweet and salty cookie.

“The Classic chocolate chip cookie [has a] very interesting flavor, a bit different from a normal chocolate chip cookie but it might be for you!” Brady commented. “Cookie and cream [was] probably my favorite of the ones I tasted. The frosting was really delicious and sweet.”

As for the two non-chocolate cookies, we deeply enjoyed the Funfetti and Stay Gold cookies. Schmackary’s swap out the cookies flavors on a monthly basis, with the Classic and the Funfetti as the two core pieces of the establishment. Cookies and Cream typically will be on the menu, except during the winter season, where Red Velvet takes it place.

“The Funfetti cookie [has] super good frosting—it makes me feel very nostalgic. [The] sugar cookie taste is really delicious,” Brady said. “Stay Gold frosting is like eating lemon fruit loops. Cookie itself was good!”

The Stay Gold cookie was my personal favorite, as I love all desserts with a lemon tartiness. Though I did appreciate the custom NYU purple frosting on the Funfetti Cookie for students residing nearby. Both treats were soft, chewy, and sugary. The experience overall was a perfect pick-me-up after such a hectic day back in the city.

Just within walking distance of the NYU campus, Schmackary’s is an excellent choice for students to visit, especially considering the discount they can receive through the Campus Clipper. Eligible students can display the digital coupon below and their valid student ID to claim the deal. Instead of venturing to Insomnia Cookies or Crumbl for overpriced baked goods, New Yorkers are much better off visiting the locale when in need of a delectable sweet treat.

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Niche-ing New York City: Feeling Untalented

Monday, August 25th, 2025
Me in Times Square (the first and only time I went)

It’s been a pleasure, thus far in Niche-ing New York City, to pretend we live in a perfect world – one in which there’s a talent for everyone, everyone has the time and the resources to practice their talent, and no one ever feels lost, exhausted, or untalented. It’s no secret to any of us that this world will never be perfect, and – now that we’ve explored ways to find and hone our skills – it’s important to think about ways to push through the hard parts. There will be times when work, the news, the world will exhaust you to the point that you can’t be bothered to immerse yourself in your talent, to the point that you can try your hardest at your talent and still feel untalented. 

This feeling can have disastrous and lasting effects. When I was nine, my mom enrolled me in an art camp because it was closer – and way cheaper – than the day camps offered by the YMCA. Unknowingly, she helped me discover what would come to be a favorite talent of mine, one that was immune to the mind-numbing effects of being forced to learn a skill in school, and one that I was immediately and inexplicably good at – at least, when I was given the chance to try it. Drawing was all I did from then on, in classes, all over my homework, during every school break. It was fun for me and it was incredibly validating to hear how good I was at it – a combination that, prior, I had never experienced. 

As I entered high school, and classwork and extracurriculars began to take up more of my time, I could feel it dwindling. But it was the COVID outbreak in the second semester of my freshman year that killed it. Like everyone, I was incredulous, then, gradually, depressed. I had the most free time I’d ever had in my whole life – and four years’ worth of art supplies accumulated – and I did want to draw. I just couldn’t.

My mind was numb and nothing inspired me. I was exhausted mentally from a year spent sleeping through my Zoom classes, staring out the window, and doomscrolling on TikTok (though I’m not sure that term was around then). Since 2019, I have been able to complete exactly one (1) piece, and none that I’m proud of. But don’t worry, please – it’s not that my art block lasted six whole years, but that the two years of pandemic-induced art block made me forget that I was good at it, that I enjoyed it. It was, in some way, replaced by writing, a new talent that I discovered when we returned to in-person class – and school kept me busy with it. Then, I made the natural decision to major in English and Communications and spend my free time engaged in work and research, and suddenly I had no time to make up for the six years of skill I had lost.

So how am I going to fix it? And how can you fix this feeling of talentlessness when it inevitably happens to you?

The first thing I did was take my art supplies out of the box they’d been in under my bed. Simply having them out, in my periphery and often in my way, ensured that I couldn’t forget about art again. I took a few of my favorites – my charcoal pencils, my mixed-media paper, and my Copic markers – to school my freshman year and proceeded to do nothing with them. But still they remained in my way. Next, I revisited some of my favorite YouTube artists (if you need recs, DrawingWiffWaffles, Jazza, and elliotisacoolguy) and, in watching them, subliminally reminded myself of certain techniques and skills I now struggle with, and that I actually enjoy art. 

Here’s the kicker (and you can’t make fun of me for this): last fall, I scrolled past a picture of Jeff Buckley some fan account had posted for his birthday. I did a digital double take, and when I scrolled back up I was hit with a rush of adrenaline I hadn’t felt in years – I was inspired. For the first time in two years, I opened my sketchbook and put pencil to paper. I worked for an hour or so, lighting a candle and listening to his music for some added immersion. When I finished, I stepped back with a heaving chest and a manic smile on my face. It was horrible. It was too bad, even, for me to show you here. It might be the worst thing I’ve ever drawn. But I loved creating it. And I learned from it – the next day I flipped the page and tried again to recreate a different picture. It was also bad, but I loved drawing it just as much. 
Your talent is something you can learn to love doing even when you’re bad at it. And it is essential that you do, if you want to avoid the six years of feeling like there’s nothing you are good at. When you can love doing it even if you hate the product, it becomes your best outlet when social media has numbed you, when your nine-to-five has exhausted you, rather than another activity so stress-inducing you’d waste the day bedrotting to avoid it. Never allow yourself to keep it in a box under your bed, to forget the joy it gives you when it feels like nothing will ever make you happy again. If you already have, here’s your reminder to take it back out and put it in your way, give it one last try – it could change your life.


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Physical and mental health go hand in hand — take this coupon and your Student ID to get 10% off any fitness package at Nimble Fitness!


By Lauren Male

Lauren is a senior at Pace University majoring in English and Communications, with a minor in Journalism. She is pursuing Pace’s M.S. Publishing program. When she’s not reading, Lauren can be found trying new coffee shops, thrift shopping, and spending all of her money on concert tickets.


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. Open publish panel

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Just Around the Corner: Torizaku

Saturday, August 23rd, 2025

Two weeks ago, a Japanese restaurant opened its doors to customers, made up of families, employees, and students alike. Torizaku, just around the corner from New York University, is a new establishment in the heart of downtown Manhattan. Yeyya and I ventured to the up-and-coming locale for an evening of drinks and bites after our last day of the first week back at university. We were drained, maybe even sucked out of life. Our spirits lifted once the drinks were served, only enhanced by the extravagant foods and rich dessert.

I sipped on the best glass in New York City, Torizaku’s very own yuzu cocktail. This iced drink is made with yuzu sake, passion fruit puree, and Prosecco, all topped with club soda. No squeamish faces were made. Neither of us could taste the unsettling metallic pang that often comes with alcoholic beverages. The highlight of my entire night, even when taking into account the karaoke basement and billiards bar that would later come, was in the form of a chilled refreshment. My citrusy cocktail was a cooling and dizzying spectacle. I would return simply just to have another glass.

“The drink had a strong mango flavor without being overly sweet,” Yeyya commented on her house special mango mocktail. “It was refreshing and light, great for a summer evening.”

Our small bowls arrived shortly after we ordered: complimentary seaweed salad, kimchi, and edamame. A starter plate of gyoza and takoyaki followed.

“I really liked the seaweed, it was super flavorful. I really enjoyed the chewy, but firm texture as well,” Yeyya noted. “The kimchi had a very strong flavor, and a good level of spice. It was very crunchy, which I liked.”

The crunchy kelp-green slivers of seaweed perfectly mellowed out the strong flavors of our takyoyaki. The crispy breading, topped with kewpie mayo and fish flakes, housed a piping hot gooey and chewy center. It was takoyaki as takoyaki should be. The thick kimchi drastically contrasted the salad, with a deep and spicy flavor to cleanse clients’ palates from the meaty appetizers. The juicy nappa cabbage heightened my senses as I dug into a portion of the pan-seared gyoza. The crispy dumpling wrappers were slightly greasy, though encased a mouthful of tender pork filling.

“[The] chicken meatball skewer was my favorite dish out of all of them. The meatballs were so tender and had a subtly sweet flavor,” Yeyya said, once she quickly finished each skewer. “The [chicken wings] were fully cooked without being dry. They had a great char to them that added to the flavor. The [chicken thigh] was very soft, but the skin added some crunch, which I enjoyed.”

We additionally ordered the enoki mushroom, zucchini, and asparagus skewers in an attempt to be healthy. Each were enjoyable and deeply savory, as they were flavored with tare, a hybrid glaze created using thickened soy sauce and sometimes mirin, sake, or honey.

Two bowls of gelato ended the night: four total scoops of chocolate and matcha. Both flavors were equally delightful, and successfully washed away the mix of flavors from the night.

“The gelato was so creamy and rich, without tasting artificial. Both flavors were amazing, I couldn’t decide which was my favorite!” Yeyya enthusiastically reviewed.

The dusk grew into a deep darkness, and the lively streets of Greenwich Village began to roar. A lovely Friday night was underway, and the August air invited city dwellers to dance and party. The drinks and platters offered at Torizaku are a spectacular way to start an evening, especially for student in lower Manhattan. Campus Clipper is offering students a discount while the restaurant is in the stages of its grand opening. To redeem, customers must show the digital coupon presented below, along with a valid student ID.

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Car, Train, MBTA–My Never Ending Commute to College

Friday, August 22nd, 2025

By Isabel DeSisto

Boston Skyline by the water
The beautiful Boston waterfront

My commute to college feels as though I am making an attempt to collect every form of transportation. To attend class I must travel in a car, then a train, and then finally the subway. If it were practical to travel by plane and boat, then I would really have a collection to boast about. 

My schedule is built around this transportation. A factor many people forget to consider when commuting into the city is that if you aren’t going by car you are going on someone else’s time. In order to commute you must be aware of the transportation schedules so that a proper class schedule can be built. 

I have never been a morning person, so I pretend 8 a.m. classes do not exist. Instead my first class starts bright and early at 10 a.m.. Unfortunately I can no longer roll out of bed in my pjs and run to class ten minutes before it starts. Now I have to wake up early to make the train that will get me to campus on time. 

My commute to campus takes an hour total. However, because the commuter rail, a train that spans a farther distance from Boston than the subway, has a strict schedule, I end up having to wake up three hours before class. 

So at 7 a.m. I wake up and get ready. I have to make sure all of my essentials are in my bag–I can’t run back home to grab homework or lip gloss. Once I’m ready I sit in my car for a minute letting it either cool down or warm up, depending on the state of the unpredictable New England weather. This has become a ritual that allows me to wake up and be in my own space for a few minutes before I am surrounded by many others for the rest of the day. 

Luckily I have two trains I can get on, an earlier one at 8:13 or a later one 30 minutes later, so there is some room for delays, but not too much. If I miss the later one, I will definitely miss a class, which will impact my grade quickly. Normally to air on the side of precaution, I chose the earlier one. The commuter rail is predictable, but the MBTA (Boston’s subway also known as the T) is much less so. I prefer to be prepared. 

I drive my car down the road to the train station. The radio plays some random song quietly. The ride is much too short to hook up my Bluetooth, so I never bother. I pull in and try to find a parking space in the packed lot. 

I pay for parking–most of the time. If I forget I can count on a nice bill making its way in the mail. I walk towards the platform checking my bag one last time; leaving something in my car feels worse than leaving it at home. 

Once on the train I show my digital ticket and try not to fall asleep. The internet is always comically bad, so I either read or listen to some downloaded music. Sometimes, if I was too busy the night before, I do homework. The ride goes by fast, normally. I know the stops well and the conductors are all familiar faces at this point. 

Once we get to North Station everyone exits. People throw away their coffee cups, others go to stand in the Dunkin line that is only growing. Some exit the building, but many people, including myself, walk straight to the underground trains. 

In Boston the T are categorised by color. There is the red, orange, blue, and green line. I can take either the orange or green, the flexibility comes in handy as frequently one or the other is down. Depending on which is running and which is sooner, I get on, standing as they are often packed. I hold my bag as close to myself as I can to try to make space. I disassociate as people talk or yell. 

Eventually we get to my stop and I exit quickly. The subways are stuffy and humid and I need the outside air. I leave and walk towards campus, which is only a short walk. 

Now that I still have an hour before class starts I walk through the Boston common (a beautiful park right across from my campus) when the weather permits. If it is cold I go to the classroom early, turn the lights on, and wait for others to appear. 

The journey to campus isn’t horrible, but it is hard to balance classes around the trains, and it gets costly. Round trip, the journey costs about twenty five dollars. The semester pass is over a thousand dollars. 

Luckily my college only allows us four classes per semester, so I stack them. The first semester I did all four on one day forcing me to be on campus from 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. two days a week. The days I was in class were long and exhausting. The days that I had off I spent catching up on all my homework and readings. It was difficult to balance work, school, and a social life, so it was a schedule that I would never recommend. 

The second semester I commuted I took three classes in person and one online. This balance was much better, and I was able to do all the classes back to back. This upcoming semester I have enough credits to take just three classes. Therefore I only have to commute two days a week. Even so, travelling is still exhausting and time consuming. 

There are many benefits of taking this journey, even if it is difficult. This blog is going to cover the positives, the negatives, and my tips as a seasoned commuter.

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Just Around the Corner: Fluffy Fluffy

Friday, August 22nd, 2025

By Aidann Gia

After returning back to New York City, I immediately knew that I had to get back into the food scene. The summer break brought me home, where I made food for myself and saved money for the school year. I craved Japanese cuisine after a long day at orientation, which led me to a chic and clean breakfast spot, known for the fluffiest and bounciest pancakes. My new peer, Thu Le, grabbed dinner with me at Fluffy Fluffy, a spot just around the corner from New York University.

The staff tended to us as soon as we entered the cafe-like establishment, aiding us consistently throughout the night. Our drinks were served first, and quickly. Thu ordered a mango speciality latte, while I opted for the mezmerising strawberry lavender refresher. My glittery, thirst-quenching drink had an ombre effect from the sparkling water to the strawberry syrup. Sipping on this beverage as I devoured my pancakes brought me to the realization that most refreshers are entirely too sweet, while the lavender flavoring and lemon slice garnish was far from overpowering. This drink was my new favorite non-caffeinated drink in the Manhattan, perfect for a sweaty and sticky day out downtown.

“I can taste the freshness in the mango and the milk froth makes the drink so creamy!” Thu reviewed. “Definitely a nice summer sweat treat.”

Her specialty latte almost resembled a fruit smoothie, though its consistency was much thinner. The restaurant had a wide range of fruity flavors for lattes, ensuring guests have options depending on their palette.

As for the pancakes, it seemed the menu was never-ending. We had difficulty landing on a choice for our main entrees. I finally selected the hazelnut banana pancakes, and Thu picked the blueberry cheese pancakes. My platter came with a small ceramic dish of chocolate, eventually drenching my fluffy pancakes with the smooth syrup. Her plate had a beautiful tiramisu dressing, caramelized lemons, and blended blueberries.

“The blueberry cheese pancake is so fluffy. Paired with the blueberry dressing and tiramisu, the pancake is the perfect amount of sweetness,” Thu commented.

The ambiance of the small business was quiet and calm, which we both needed from the chaotic lectures we had throughout our day. I deeply appreciated the kind and funny employees who helped us ensure our meals were Instagram worthy and to our liking. The furniture was modern and chic, emitting a vibe perfectly fit to our aesthetically pleasing meal.

“Overall, I had a great experience trying out Fluffy Fluffy,” Thu concluded. “The staff were friendly and there was a relatively short wait time. The atmosphere of the restaurant was comfy and well decorated.”

For students, especially those residing near the East Village, who are curious how traditionally fluffy Japanese pancakes compare to simple American ones, the Campus Clipper is offering a discount. To claim the offer, students need to show their valid student ID and coupon attached below.

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Tasting with Thomas: Mexiterranean Grill Express

Wednesday, August 20th, 2025

Welcome back! You’re tuning into the third edition of Tasting With Thomas, where I explore the affordable eats that New York City has to offer. I’m all for the bites that are going to leave my wallet and my tastebuds satisfied, so today my friend Surina and I hopped on over to West Village’s Mexiterranean Grill Express to see what they had to offer.

The first thing I noticed about the spot was its’ accessible and popular location. No more than a 5 minute walk below Washington Square Park, Surina and I were more than ecstatic to have the option of taking our meals to-go for a nice picnic by the fountain. While the restaurant primarily serves as a takeout establishment, we took our seats at the table and bar seating in the entry way of the establishment.

Upon walking in we were greeted with a warm welcome and attentive service from the Grill’s waitress. We were each presented a menu with an expansive variety of options spanning across cuisines and diets. As a pescatarian, our waitress was kind enough to highlight some of the special offers that featured pescatarian friendly options such as the falafel humus wrap special or the fish taco platter.

If I’m being honest, it took us a minute to decide on our order. There were so many different options, and they all sounded like they would hit the spot. After some deliberation (and consulting our waitress friend) we finally decided on our meal.

We decided that I would cover the Mexican cuisine while Surina would cover the Mediterranean food for our meal. My side of the table was served two fish tacos, which were fresh and filling with their blackened tilapia, pico de gallo, lettuce, avocado and salsa fresca. Surina enjoyed the falafel humus wrap special that filled her plate with falafel, tomato, lettuce, cucumber, humus, and onion all wrapped in a tortilla. On top of that, Surina’s meal also came with a side of beer battered french fries (which are my all time favorite fry) and a soft drink, all for only $11.95!

Surina and I are two peas in a pod when it comes to sharing meals, so we promptly swapped out one half of the wrap for one of the fish tacos and got to chowing down. Funnily enough, we both enjoyed each other’s meal better than our own! Surina was quick to enjoy the fish taco right away. For her, the seafood twang paired with the Mexican flavored veggies hit the spot. On the other hand, the Mediterranean spices springing out of the falafel wrap were the perfect combination of comfort food goodness for me. Don’t be mistaken – we both thoroughly enjoyed and finished both of our meals!

While we were stuffed and satisfied after our entrees, we decided we had just enough wiggle room left for a sweet treat to top it all off. A few minutes later, our waitress brought out a warmed and cakey brownie for us to share. The decadent chocolate chips and fluffy texture were the perfect conclusion to our dining experience!

By this point we were grinning ear to ear from our full bellies and appeased cravings. We waved goodbye and thank you to our waitress and headed out of the restaurant to soak up the sun in Washington Square Park. While we were content leaving at the moment, we both promised our waitress that we were eager to make a return. With a menu that diverse, we’ll definitely be coming back to try more!

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Chapter 6: Rainy day blues and how to make the most of it

Friday, August 15th, 2025

Nothing beats relaxing on a warm, sunny day at one of NYC’s vast array of parks, stopping by flea markets on the weekends, or walking along the Hudson River and taking in the breeze.

But what do you do when your weekend suddenly becomes…clouded? Rain is fairly common in New York City, with a total of 120 days on average receiving rain a year – that’s roughly every three days with some sort of precipitation. Even though rain can put a hold on your picnic plans with friends or make you feel sad or unmotivated (it definitely does for me!), don’t let the rain completely ruin your chances of having fun and enjoying other types of activities that are just as fulfilling!

One of my favorite things to do when it rains is simply step inside of a museum to explore some art. During one of my first days in the city, I decided to go to the MoMA for the first time since being in New York and I completely loved it.

Being able to see pieces such as Starry Night by Van Gogh, Gas by Edward Hopper, or The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí felt surreal, especially since I could not remember if I had even ever been to the MoMA in the first place since I was much younger the last times I had been in New York. I love perusing around their gift shop as well and looking at the assortment of souvenirs, and I could simply spend hours reflecting and learning about art as well as see some classics like the ones I mentioned before. I also saw many interesting exhibits while I was there, including one about a “Government Approved Home Fallout Shelter/Snack Bar” that showcased a typical 1980’s home fallout shelter with a snack bar added to it, highlighting the way in which trivial aspects of life such as snacks or games are often intertwined with serious national or even international threats such as nuclear annihilation.

Although mirroring the Cold War, I would say this concept is still prevalent today when comparing to situations such as climate change or the way in which democracy feels as though it fading, and its so interesting to look back into history through art – one of my personal favorite aspects of taking your time with physical art and immersing yourself into artists’ intentions. 

Another thing I really enjoy doing when it rains is going to some of my favorite bakeries in the city. Having the insane sweet tooth that I have, I love going to either the East Village or Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn to some of my most frequented places. One place in the East Village I absolutely enjoy going to is Le Fournil for some canelles, croissants, or any French products such as jams and imported cookies. Their canelles are perfectly sweet and spongy, and the rum they use really highlights the pastry. I love the ambience inside and I have been meaning to also try their baguettes which look amazing. Another place in the East Village to scope out is definitely From Lucie, a cake shop also with a French owner who makes some of the best carrot cake in the city, using a family recipe and a buttercream that finally made me like frostings other than whipped cream in the United States, as it isn’t as sweet like what people bake with usually in the US and especially in the South, where I currently live. Their chocolate chip cookies are also some of the best in the city and they sell delicious iced jasmine tea which pairs wonderfully. The shop is super cute and yellow on the outside, which also makes for a perfect snapshot for an Instagram picture when you visit. 

The scones at Mary O’s Soda Bread Shop
Image Credits: https://www.irishstar.com/culture/food-drink/mary-os-soda-bread-recipe-34519036

While in the East Village, I would also recommend you stop by Mary O’s Irish Soda bread shop, where you can find one of the best Irish scones in the city. She makes the dough herself and is the only one who handles the recipe (passed down through her family) and serves it with delicious Irish butter and homemade blackberry jam. Truly a treat! 

I would also recommend checking out Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn, a place I love to walk by on weekends and enter all the little shops and cute boutiques. One place in particular I adore is Caputo’s Bake Shop, a 5th generation Italian bakery open since 1904 and one of the oldest in NYC. I always have the sweetest woman take my order, and the variety of cookies with chocolate, apricot and raspberry jam, or Italian wedding cookies are to die for. They are a cash only establishment, but it is worth every penny to try some of the best cookies, pastries, and arguably one of the best croissants in the city as well. 

Lastly, and this may sound counterintuitive, but take a day and relax in your apartment or dorm! Even though you are in such a fun and exciting place such as New York, it is important to remember that we all need a day to simply recharge and relax in the comfort of our own space. I personally love taking rainy days to sleep in a bit, maybe clean or do laundry, or watch a comfort show or movie on my laptop. I also am a big tea lover, and I remember last year spending many rainy days lounging in sweatpants with a warm mug of whatever tea blend I felt matched the vibe. You can always also invite friends over to play card or board games, or even draw if that is something that you enjoy doing. Sometimes, we all need time to be a little “bored” to allow our minds to come up with our most creative and fun ideas. Take advantage of any day – even if it’s rainy or gloomy, as time flies faster than you know it!


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By Avril Walter

Avril Walter is a Sophomore at New York University, majoring in Drama and Cinema Studies. Coming from an Argentinian background, she loves anything related to futbol, steak, and dulce de leche. When she is not in class, she can be found playing the violin, running, cooking, or at the movie theatre.


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