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The Art of the Food-Crawl

Tuesday, June 30th, 2026
Photo by Alyssa Hong. Image is of two cones of Venchi Gelato.

West Village: Rain is flooding the roads and soaking our clothes. Ky and I are sharing an umbrella while walking through Bleeker Street. Hunger shoots through our bodies, enraging our souls nonetheless. In front of us is our savior: a Japanese grocery store. We carefully wrap up our umbrella before entering through the doors. Snagging affordable sushi, our selections are being scanned quickly by the impatient cashier. I hand them a twenty and receive my change before I can put the receipt in my bag. I fumble. On the same street, we find our guilty pleasure: matcha. We secure a matcha parfait, napkins, and some forks for our food. It is only then that we begin to scout for a non-soaked place to devour our food. Pushing each bite into my mouth, the insatiable hunger subsides, overtaken by a taste of pleasure. We are not done. A sweet treat is a necessity to our food crawl before we may return to campus; so we hunt. 

Photo by Alyssa Hong. Image of Hojicha basque cheesecake with two glasses of matcha lattes at 12 Matcha in Soho.

Flushing: Monica knows food better than I know myself — a severe understatement. Monday, she feels a craving for hotpot and I, the tag-along, devote my Friday to scheduling our outing. With each day, I can almost smell the sauce bar. Friday rolls around and there is a fire in Monica’s eyes like no other: a fire that tells you it is time for a feast. From 116th to 42nd, then we transfer to make our way towards Queens. As we emerge, a sense of panic hits me. My vision is engulfed in a sense of crowdedness that I have never felt so helpless to. Taking my hand, Monica guides me through the maze of people to the most gorgeous hotpot place I have ever been to. A giant wheel sits in the very center. We order to share and the glory begins. Bite by bite, we extinguished the fire that began on Monday. Even soon, we find ourselves satisfied and grabbing the check. Every time is the same: Monica pays using her credit card and I sell her back. As we exit the huge wooden door of the soup-haven, we find milk tea surrounding us. Monica, however, is an outlier to this treat. She prefers the comfort of a Venchi gelato so we ride the train all the way down to her favorite location by 14th street. Sitting vibrantly, we are revived to our former selves. We remember the spark we had prior to the swap of exams or stress of early career development. We relax. 

Photo by Alyssa Hong. Hotpot spread in Flushing, Queens.

Local: “Have you ever tried MAKI?” This is how I spontaneously implore an idea to Irlene after our gym session. We are walking down Broadway after hitting the gym and I am in no condition to be starved. She luckily agrees to my sudden craving; thus, here we are walking towards Harlem. I order then she does too. She gets beef and I get tuna. As we wait, our conversation flows towards her week and mine. Soon enough, I found myself in an intensive discussion on race and gender in the middle of this small shop. Questions are being raised and we know better than to give each other fake assumptions. Taking our bags home, we head towards our dorm together as she is also my suitemate. Our strides slow to match our discourse about the world, and I take in her perspective as much as I can. Her insightful comments linger longer as I smell the sauces of our bowls leaking through the bags. My head is full of imagination — one about the picture of what this donburi will look like and two about the conditions of society and politics. From one another, we learn.

Photo by Alyssa Hong. Image is of a tuna doanburi from MAKI by Columbia University.

The essence of expected or unexpected food runs is that they create time for connecting with others and even learning from one another. Setting aside time to grab food with someone can be so meaningful even in the smallest of actions like choosing where to eat. It is an understatement to implore everyone to make food-crawls with friends a forefront activity.

In any case, your foodie author advises this as a crucial part of survival for college as a method to getting to know others outside the campus bubble you quickly become trapped in.

Sometimes a sweet treat can relieve us (even if temporarily) of our problems, especially when sharing with a friend. Use this coupon to have a taste of delicious treats!

By Alyssa Hong

Alyssa Hong is a rising Junior at Barnard College, studying Political Science with a minor in English. As a first-generation, low-income student, she writes about moving across the country for college and its adjustments. She utilizes entertainment, wellness/health/food, and fashion/beauty as methods to making new connections with others whilst always learning.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.

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Posted in Friendship, onCollege, onFood, onHealth, Outside Manhattan, Restaurant Reviews | No Comments »

Ambition and Commitment: An Interview with River

Wednesday, June 24th, 2026

Growing up, we are encouraged to dream big. We are promised that there is no shortage of opportunities available to us. But as adulthood approaches, the stakes for bringing our dreams to fruition become more apparent. More demanding. More real. Instead of endless possibilities, we learn that we are faced with endless decisions to be made. Like, “What steps do I take to get where I want to go?” Or, “How can I optimally spend my time and energy?”

We are warned against falling into patterns that reflect lazy ambition. However, in the midst of the decision-making, it can be easier said than done to not give in to burnout, our desire to be instantly gratified, or relying on inconsistent bursts of energy to be our driving force of motivation.

Thinking about how best to turn ambition into activity, what better group of people to consider than college students, who daily experience fluctuations in their confidence and drive while getting accustomed to quickly evolving and high-pressure environments? With this in mind, I decided to interview my friend River, who demonstrates as much commitment to achieving her goals as she does ambition. Though she too struggles at times with finding the right balance between work and rest, her natural enjoyment of being a busybody leads me to trust no one more to speak on the subject.

River and I grabbed coffee at The FRIENDS Experience to de-stress during finals week

A double-major student at NYU and one who is also interested in declaring a double minor, River is involved with eighteen different social and scholastic organizations at the university. Hoping to pursue a career in politics, she spends the majority of her time participating in courses and extracurriculars dedicated to studying and engaging with social and political issues. Outside of her academic and organizational commitments, River shared that “[she] loves engaging with local politics, spending time with [her] friends, learning new arts & crafts, and exploring as much of New York City as [she] can.”

As with many undergraduate students, it may appear that she is at risk of spreading herself too thin. Maybe it even appears that, in the name of productivity and impressiveness, she has adopted the young and naive notion that she “can do it all.” However, River’s seeming tendency to overcommit actually strongly aligns with her personality and interests. She describes herself “as a very ambitious person overall” and is no stranger to times when she feels that she’s not doing enough to keep her occupied. When asked how she balances all of her time investments, she laughed and shared, “This is an ongoing area of improvement for me. The best metric I have right now is to check that low-priority commitments aren’t interfering with my ability to complete things that matter to me and that other people rely on me for.”

However, she does try to remember to break from her spells of productiveness from time to time. When it comes to deciding where to invest her effort, “[she’s] learned to listen to [her] energy levels when applying [herself] where [she’s] not necessarily needed.” Always prioritizing events and organizations where her commitment affects the responsibilities and enjoyment of other members, for non-mandatory occasions, she took up this mentality: “I won’t be missing out and I won’t be letting others down by not going.”

As for dealing with overwhelm, when catching up with other people isn’t the form of self-care she is needing, she finds that “the best thing [she] can do to reset is to intentionally set aside time to be by [herself].” However, River also heavily relies on her family and friends for support. Her social circle simultaneously offers “a safe space to step back from intensity,” inspiration “to continue working towards [her] goals,” and a litmus test for determining when it’s time “to reassess [her] priorities.”

Her advice to other students includes a reminder that they are not alone when it is difficult to commit time and energy to achieving their goals. For River, ambition and commitment ought to “work symbiotically.” So as she suggests, when your dreams are not enough to motivate, “give yourself grace to take a step back,” note that “burnout is often a sign that you need to reprioritize given the energy you have,” and “make friends that will always push you to keep going”—because aligning your activity with your energy will produce more fulfilling work and “it’s hard not to feel motivated when you have equally awesome friends who are achieving alongside you.”

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By Lauren Gascon 

Lauren Gascon studies Media, Culture, and Communication at NYU and enjoys discussing people’s relationships with each other and themselves. When she’s not on campus, you can find her café hopping, browsing bookstores, or enjoying lunch in one of New York City’s many beautiful parks.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.

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Making Decisions and Changing Your Mind: An Interview with Emerson

Thursday, June 18th, 2026

Being a new adult, you become very familiar with feeling pressured to lay out a foolproof plan for your future and execute it perfectly. Maybe your loved ones have tried to encourage you by stating that “it’s unfair to expect an eighteen-year-old to have their whole life figured out.” However, when placed in a collegiate space—where every student feels this weight, fronts that they have it all together, and, in turn, feeds the insecurities and uncertainties of their peers—it is easy to deceive yourself into believing that you are falling behind, incapable of achieving your goals, or trapped by the direction you have determined for yourself.

For the entirety of my first two years at NYU, I wrestled with these convictions. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. During a debrief with two of my high school friends, one of them shared that while we were apart for the academic year, she was navigating her own period of change, self-doubt, and uncertainty. So while reflecting upon what may be the best course of action for a student interested in revising their four-year or postgraduation plan, I decided to ask Emerson for advice as someone who had undergone the revision process herself.

Moving into her freshman dorm, Emerson snapped a photo with her Baylor Line jersey

Now a junior at Baylor University majoring in accounting, she had originally intended to major in psychology and follow the pre-med track on her way to becoming a psychiatrist. The academic tasks demanded of her during her freshman year forced her to reflect upon her vision for life after graduation. She expanded upon her change of heart, sharing that “after the first year of college, I realized that science wasn’t something I loved, and it’s something that you have to love to be able to stick it out.” She remembered her interest in the business class she took that spring semester and, going into her sophomore year, decided to declare a business major.

Naturally, there was a hefty amount of wrestling with her own self-determination before shifting gears. She admits that she had likely sensed that she had no true desire to pursue a heavily science-oriented career by the end of her freshman fall semester. However, at the time, she was thinking, “This is what I told my parents, my friends…this is what everyone thinks that I’m going to do.” Though, despite her instinctual worry that they may be shocked or angry, it turned out that her loved ones were more than willing to encourage her new endeavor, and she explained that deep down she knew her parents would understand. Once she accepted that it was time to pursue a different path, Emerson’s friends, particularly her roommate, who was already part of the business program, and Baylor’s Major Exploration and Success and business advisors helped guide her transition.

Emerson still plans on extending her credentials beyond a bachelor’s degree. In fact, the program she is currently enrolled in will allow for her to graduate from Baylor in 2028 with a master’s degree. But beyond the security and stability that her career shift offers, it also equipped her with a new perspective on failure, success, and making decisions across life’s facets.

As a young adult, it can be easy to equate changing your mind with failure and to approach it with fear. However, looking back on her initial approach to change, Emerson learned to recognize that she didn’t fail. Rather, “what [she] had originally thought was going to be good for [her] actually [wasn’t],” and it’s okay for her to change her mind if it means finding a path that is better suited for her. 

Other than academic or professional decisions, Emerson has found herself navigating new terrain in her friendships and faith. To become better decision makers, she advises incoming freshmen to build steady support systems and develop a willingness to experiment with the unfamiliar—new relationships, interesting clubs, or different majors—even if this involves failing. Ultimately, as Emerson’s undergraduate journey thus far exemplifies, what is at first perceived as a failure may soon become an indication of better-aligned pathways, leading to a much more fruitful college experience.

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By Lauren Gascon 

Lauren Gascon studies Media, Culture, and Communication at NYU and enjoys discussing people’s relationships with each other and themselves. When she’s not on campus, you can find her café hopping, browsing bookstores, or enjoying lunch in one of New York City’s many beautiful parks.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.

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Resilience in Routine

Tuesday, June 16th, 2026
Photo by Alyssa Hong. Here I am sitting in a field of overly bloomed tulips at the Queens Botanical Garden.

One of the most essential parts of college is finding ways to continue a healthy lifestyle despite having copious amounts of free will. For this, I suggest enrolling in classes with friends for things like yoga, pilates, or anything really. 

What started out as Thursday evening classes for yoga simply began as a question: 

“Do you want to try Fitbear classes with me?”

Monica, my best friend, asked me this during our first year in college after the first semester. Still timid, my voice appeared firm in accepting her offer but the tremble of my body could not shake this anxious moment. I wondered if the class would paint us as newbies and that we would be made fun of – superficial concerns which made no sense looking back because everyone starts somewhere. 

Our first class had me looking over my shoulder constantly. I put on my leggings for the first time since COVID era, which had me doing Chloe Ting workouts in my bedroom. Highschool kept me so preoccupied I only had time for dance club so I had wildly let myself go. I went down the elevator to the first floor where the water station was and filled my Awola full of water since I was not sure how hard I would be sweating for “vinyasa” yoga. 

I did not even know what “vinyasa” meant. 

I knocked on Monica’s door since we lived in the same small hallway; we were on our way. Geared with her yoga mat, leggings, and water bottle, Monica was prepared for the next hour of downward facing dogs later. As we rode the elevator down, my face kept making the same grin of nervousness. My hands shook like no other. Soon, I found myself in the basement of the main campus building for our class with my hand gripping the handle of the door. As I opened it, the world began to shine in on me. 

Starting by reaching down towards our feet, I felt the release of all my stresses of homesickness to future career anxieties diminish. Halfway lift — holding my breath, I stared at my posture in the mirror, diligently focusing on my body and how it felt. Then down into a down-dog while bending our knees side-by-side. Stretching my body through every pose was my revenge on this fast-moving world. 

With Monica keeping me accountable, I learned the art of yoga: finding stillness and intention. Each pose should be made with intent and slow movement rather than rushing through. I thought about engaging my core, where my hands were, and finally how my body felt. The tension housed within my joints transpired as I held my intention from the beginning of the class to the very end. 

After my very first class, Monica and I continued these classes even adding two a week to our schedules if time permitted. That’s how we ended up trying a Zumba class on a random given Wednesday. 

Without her pushing me out of my own comfort (my mind), I would have never found the art of truly slowing down in yoga. We still go to these classes only now they are Friday morning classes at 9 AM instead. We always find time within our schedules and are always seeking to learn something new in our fitness journeys like how to perform frog pose or a proper chaturanga. 

I have also learned so much about Monica from this routine. She prefers cardio whereas I hate cardio entirely. I found this out after one of our conversations post-class (Total Sculpt) which was filled with cardio. 

“I like it because you can feel it.”

“I hate it for that exact reason.”

She also used to train mainly using cardio for rowing in Highschool and still does for when she scuba dives in the summer. Whereas, I only did cardio for dance in Middle School which I still hated. 

Nevertheless, yoga, or more generally, fitness classes have become our routine to resist anything college throws our way. It is not only a way to connect with others, but a chance to learn something new about them and yourself. 

Working out can be a helpful activity for the mind and soul alongside the body. Use this coupon to start your fitness training package with Nimble Fitness!

By Alyssa Hong

Alyssa Hong is a rising Junior at Barnard College, studying Political Science with a minor in English. As a first-generation, low-income student, she writes about moving across the country for college and its adjustments. She utilizes entertainment, wellness/health/food, and fashion/beauty as methods to making new connections with others whilst always learning.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.

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The Role Models in Your Life: On Looking to Friends for Inspiration

Wednesday, June 10th, 2026

While taking your first steps into adulthood, you may find yourself at odds with the already-adults in your life. Perhaps you are reading distrust while they eagerly offer you a fistful of advice and give warnings about the responsibilities that come with expanding your freedom. It may be, in fact, that while you feel like you are ready for the large shift in your independence, your loved ones are experiencing an urgency to protect you from adult-sized mistakes and life-altering consequences. Unfortunately, once you reach this in-between stage in life, you may no longer be receptive to their insight. In fact, it may not be until long after you leave home that you realize the benefit in having let them impart their wisdom to you. When you do find yourself in this state of uncertainty, the world will present a variety of guides for leading you through your adult life, but I have found some of the most valuable consultants to be my friends and peers.

My friends, Emerson and Grace, who have been inspiring me for 10 years

Take a moment to picture the faces of individuals in your life who you can relate to and yet still be largely influenced, challenged, or inspired by. Think about all that you have already gained from them: mannerisms, habits, mindsets, and the like. Then, think about all that you admire—or even envy—about them. Maybe you are recalling their capacity for being highly productive, adaptable, optimistic, or involved. Perhaps your thoughts are now shifting to reflect upon all of their strengths that you lack. However, chances are, they have experienced or are experiencing the exact same feelings of anxiety or inadequacy as you.

When asked questions similar to “Who inspires you most?” the common instinct is to reference a family member—particularly parents—mentors, teachers, or public and historical figures. Surely, the number isn’t zero when tallying up the individuals who point to one of their friends as their source of inspiration. Still, I have to wonder—if most people tend to think first of such personal relationships as those formed in the family—why do the reputations of those they spend the majority of their formative and adult years surrounded by (namely, their friends and peers) fall to the wayside before their recollections of major icons? Perhaps we overlook their resilience because we witness them fail and face adversity in real-time. It may be that we confuse role models for complete and fully matured individuals rather than people who have navigated or are continuing to navigate pitfalls, detours, and setbacks of their own.

So here, I encourage you to have thorough, inquisitive conversations with your friends about their own difficulties with and approaches to “adulting.” Allow for them to be perceived as the highly admirable figures that they most likely are; you did choose them for friends for a reason. Even if you simply take the time to observe and appreciate the methods for success utilized by one of your peers, you can still find a means for applying them to your own life.

As the saying goes, “You are who you surround yourself with,” and it is not only a very famous quote but also a very truthful one. It can be recited as a warning or act as an invitation for reflection, and perhaps, for you, it has been both. I know it has been for me. But as much weight as it holds in its meditative ambiguity, this phrase is also a pure statement of fact because you actually can become more like who you surround yourself with.

So if you are ever feeling a little lost, stuck, or listless in your young life—and other guides, spaces to vent, or sources for instilling a sense of purpose seem to be misunderstanding you or not quite fit your circumstances—look to your friends, who may just be the most helpful, empathetic, and supportive role models of all.

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By Lauren Gascon 

Lauren Gascon studies Media, Culture, and Communication at NYU and enjoys discussing people’s relationships with each other and themselves. When she’s not on campus, you can find her café hopping, browsing bookstores, or enjoying lunch in one of New York City’s many beautiful parks.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.

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Resisting Homesickness in Dining Halls

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

In a flash, everything I had ever known became what I left behind. Here I was standing in front of Barnard gates, waving goodbye to my last family members during orientation week. Watching so intently, my arms shook and eyes never left the uber that took my aunt and uncle to the airport. 

My feet shuffled through the courtyard as I scanned my newly-instated ID. Slowly dragging myself back to my dorm, time moved frame by frame. Eventually, I made my way to the corridor which held the only water fountain in the entire building. My legs staggered on their own as I paced through the dimly lit path towards the fountain. The bare white walls encased my body — my chest began to do a dance, an unbearable pounding. 

There at the water fountain was a girl, Diana, from my floor filling her Brita to the brim. We met earlier when our families helped us unpack our things and moved in. She too was Vietnamese; that was how we found connection. She turned towards me and smiled. 

“What are you doing here?” she inquired. Her hand lay on her hip as her smile transformed into a mischievous smirk. 

Flooding my eyes, my smile back to her broke into violent sobs. In an instant, I realized what I had lost — everything I had left behind. 

Diana threw herself over me; her arms wrapped around my mind tightly. She laid her head on my shoulder, and gently patted my worries away. After collecting myself, I slowly peeled away from her embrace. 

“Thank you.” 

No doubt I became miserably homesick. I was barely through my first week away from home, yet I had nobody to rely on for the simple pleasure of company. Without anyone to understand me, there I was in a foreign room holding all my things and regretting everything. However, as the sun set, there was a knock on my door. 

“Let’s grab dinner. Which dining hall do you want to eat at?” It was Diana again. 

Baked artichoke pasta with grilled chicken accompanied by hot tea and banana bread for dessert at Alyssa’s favorite dining hall.

Pulling me out of my encased misery, we headed to the nearest dining hall for dinner. Back and forth, Diana and I took our turns grabbing cutlery and then drinks. My stomach began to swell with the realization that enjoying family dinners was something I could no longer do until the next time I went home. 

“Are you feeling better?” She broke my spiral.

“Yeah, I just think I really miss my family. Do you feel like this too?” 

“Not really but if you ever want to grab dinner again, just call me or text me, especially when you’re feeling down.” 

I never imagined how many times I’d ask to go to the dining halls to escape my suffering. Diana, Monica, and others — dining hall dinners, breakfast, and lunch became my new normal. We bonded over meals and our time became sacred. 

Surf and Turf day with friends on the lawns provided by a dining hall!

Asking about majors and classes began a routine that enabled my exposure to so many people who might too feel the way I do. In an instant, a conversation about dinner at a dining hall turns into an intimate ritual of connecting with others by learning about their experiences. Not only can this dinner excuse connect you to a web of others, it can enlighten one’s perspective. Many international students, FLI students, etc. hold unique experiences that, when shared, can build empathy and understanding of other cultures when one takes the time to really listen. Thus, these discussions over dining hall food inspires connection and learning by exposing oneself to a variety of perspectives. 

This transformation did not erase my homesickness, but it eased it. Some of my best friends were people I got to know in dining halls. As simple as it sounds, one of the best ways to overcome this lonesome feeling is to fill it with company — a key tactic that I implore anyone to use. 

Sometimes when home is all we can remanence about, food can connect us back to our culture. For me, when homesickness calls, I need something only Vietnamese food can fix. Use this coupon to get a discount on any Viet dish to bring comfort back through your stomach!

By Alyssa Hong

Alyssa Hong is a rising Junior at Barnard College, studying Political Science with a minor in English. As a first-generation, low-income student, she writes about moving across the country for college and its adjustments. She utilizes entertainment, wellness/health/food, and fashion/beauty as methods to making new connections with others whilst always learning.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.

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Chapter 4: Finding Oasis: escapes from the noise and hustle

Monday, August 4th, 2025
People skateboarding in Washington Square Park Fountain
Jazz players at Washington Square Park

The streets are always full of noise and busy. From the people who skateboard in the fountain at Washington Square Park, to the musicians who play jazz along our morning commute. The various conversations you pick up on from the people who walk by, or maybe even the music from your noise-cancelling headphones as you explore the city. The sounds of glasses clinking, food being eaten, art being made and cars honking trying to get from one side of the city to the other. The sounds of the subways roaring under you as you walk through the blocks and explore each neighborhood or borough. 

Taxi passes by 5th Avenue.

New York is never, and never will be, utterly “quiet.”

Nothing can silence the city that never sleeps.

So…what do you do when you want some peace and quiet? When you want to reflect, think, or simply relax with nature?

Luckily, there are hidden spots all throughout the city that allow you to have proximity to green spaces that are as tranquil as you can get in the city with roughly 8.3 million. Here are some of my favorite (and some I have even gatekept until now) spots that I frequent when I want to relax.

  1. Liz Christy Garden 
Flowers blooming while visiting the garden

Right off of the F-Train on the intersection between East Houston Street and 2nd Ave, you’ll find one of the cutest and in my opinion, most secluded corners of the city: Liz Christy Garden, a community endeavor founded over 50 years ago in 1974 and still thriving today.

Koi Fish swimming in the pond

Within it, you will find a beautiful koi pond with a variety of fish (and turtles!) swimming, benches and chairs to relax in, and blooming trees and other flora that disperse sunlight throughout every corner. The garden has little paths for you to walk alongside on, a composting section to fertilize the soil, and they are always looking for volunteers to help maintain and make the garden a space for everyone! I found this place one day by accident, just strolling around the East Village (which is one of my favorite neighborhoods generally).

More Koi fish I saw!

Upon finding it, I felt like I had legitimately left the city and despite still hearing the noise, it all dissipated. I felt so at ease, and even decided to sit down a bit and pay more attention to the beautiful nature all around me. This place is somewhere I go to whenever I feel stressed, bored, or want some fresh air. In the early fall or spring I also really enjoy taking in the warm sun, reading a book, journaling, or making phone calls here, as the scenery allows me to simply let go and be creative. 

  1. Pier 35
Views from Pier 35 Swings
Image Credit: https://secretnyc.co/pier-35-swings-nyc/

Overlooking the Brooklyn skyline, Pier 35 is a beautiful area to walk alongside if you want a change of pace from the (in my opinion) hectic and busy Hudson River Greenway.

There are plenty of benches to walk alongside, and it’s nice to see the various boats come and go from the nearby piers. What makes this place the best, however, are the swings by the river. Although always packed with visitors, these swings are so fun to go to as a group, or simply to relax if you can snag one.

View of the Brooklyn Bridge from Pier 35

The views from the swings are also amazing, overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge, World Trade Center, and other panoramic views of the area. I’ve been here both alone and with friends, but what really makes the key difference is coming late at night.

More views of the Brooklyn Bridge

The lights around both boroughs mesmerize you, and I enjoy standing by the railing and watching the cars come and go, as well as people who are walking or cycling the bridge as well.

  1. Tompkins Square Park

Another East Village/Alphabet City staple, Tompkins Square Park mirrors Washington Square Park but holds some more peaceful, cozy vibes. With a basketball court that’s jam-packed on sunny days, fountains, and even a playground, there is something for everyone.

Panoramic View of Tompkins Square Park
Image Credit: https://theclio.com/entry/22173

I love to watch people here, watch the sunset, and see the cute dogs that people walk past with. I think the reason why this park is one I enjoy more than the bigger WSP is because of the fact it doesn’t feel as overwhelming – instead, I feel a bit more invisible.

People sunbathing, having picnics, and enjoying a sunny day at Tompkins Square Park
Image Credit: https://www.tripsavvy.com/tompkins-square-park-the-complete-guide-4165940

I have often come here on what I would call “bad days,” and in hindsight I always find something that cheers me up. On the plus side, this area boasts a plethora of cafes, restaurants, and nightlife, so it’s a perfect little square that allows you to have the best of both worlds. If you are lucky, you will find a guy who writes free poems on his typewriter, one of which I got when I was feeling really down. It definitely cheered me up, and hopefully it can be a spot for you to rethink things or see a new perspective.

Snapshot of the letter that typewriter guy gave me

We live in a place, a world, a city where fast pace = life. But it doesn’t always have to be. If we simply slow down, lift our heads, and take things with a bit more calmness, we can open our eyes to what is right in front of us. Nature truly is magical.

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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.

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.


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What Are Friends For?

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

Maintaining friendships is something I’ve struggled with in my time in college. There is so much talk about romantic heartbreak that we aren’t really prepped to lose a friend. It can be just as painful, especially the kind of friend you thought would be in your life forever. College has taught me that not all friendships are meant to last and learning that lesson is one of the most defining parts of growing up. 

As someone who is more reserved, quiet, and a little rigid when it comes to my beliefs, making friends is very hard for me. It can be hard for me to put myself out there and show my true personality. Throughout my time in college, I’ve made some incredible friendships. People I laughed with until I cried, studied with until 2 a.m., vented about life, etc. These friendships carried me through some of the hardest and happiest moments of my life. But I’ve also watched a few of them dissolve quietly, unexpectedly, or sometimes through conflict I never saw coming.

Some breakups happened because we simply grew apart. Our schedules no longer aligned, our values shifted, or we stopped showing up for each other. Others ended in messier ways. Misunderstandings that were never resolved, hurt feelings that were never addressed, or boundaries that were crossed too many times. Regardless of how it ended, the aftermath always had the same emotion… grief. 

One of the hardest friendships I lost was this past semester. I had my friend in my second semester of sophomore year, and we clicked almost instantly. We had pretty similar lives and bonded over very similar experiences throughout our lives. We eventually became roommates all of junior year and shared everything from meals, secrets, and inside jokes. At the tail end of the second semester, I had changed. I struggled a lot with my mental health, which made me push myself away, causing a bit of a shift. I also wasn’t perfect and did things that I shouldn’t have done, causing the friendship to take a rift. I left the end of the semester with us on bad terms and haven’t talked to her since. In hindsight, the friendship ending was mainly my fault, and now I take accountability for a lot of things happening. Losing this friendship was probably one of the toughest experiences I’ve gone through. I always thought she would be one of my bridesmaids or like an aunt to my future children. I cried for weeks and not because I was angry, but because I missed her.

Although losing my friend was really hard, it did teach me a lot of things. I learned a lot about how I am and how to proceed with friendships in the future. The first and most important thing is to allow yourself to grieve. Whether it was your fault or not for the friendship ending, it’s okay to feel sad, angry, confused, or betrayed. Your emotions are valid even if no one else sees the loss. The second takeaway is to set emotional boundaries. If you’re tempted to keep checking their social media or overthinking every last conversation, pause and give yourself time and distance to process. The third takeaway is to not romanticize the past. It’s easy to only remember the good times, but reflect honestly. The fourth and final takeaway is to make space for new connections. Losing one friend doesn’t mean you’re unlovable. Sometimes it just means you’re making room for better alignment. Take those friendships as a learning experience for someone else you meet.

Friendships evolving into love and unity.
Image credit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-kids-call-the-shots/202208/how-to-foster-friendships-filled-with-love-heart-and-spirit

Friendship breakups can impact your mental health just as much as any romantic one. Sometimes the most painful endings lead to the most powerful growth, and while I’ll always carry love for the friends I’ve lost, I’ve learned to carry it in a way that doesn’t weigh me down. I keep going back to the time I had with my friend and reflect on the positive, which gave me lifelong memories I’ll never forget and cherish for the rest of my life. 

Let’s face it… the best thing to do after a breakup is to eat food. When I went through my friendship breakup the first thing I ate was ice cream. At Sundaes and Cones, you can enjoy a free topping with any purchase. Use your school I.D and enjoy!

By: Yamilia Ford

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

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

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Chapter 6: The Screen Between Me and Myself

Wednesday, July 16th, 2025

I was convinced I had everything under control in high school, and I even signed up for a debate on “How Media and Devices Shape the Youth.” And guess what? I argued passionately about how my phone helps us stay connected, learn faster, and express ourselves. And honestly, they do — but only if we know where to draw the line. ​​

But looking back… I wasn’t defending this media and devices. I was defending my dependence on it. I was using “productivity” and “connection” as a mask to avoid admitting the truth: I couldn’t go ten minutes without checking my phone. That it gave me dopamine hits, I didn’t want to give up. That I needed it more than I wanted to admit.

For the longest time, I thought this addiction started in college, but the truth is,  it’s been with me for years. I just didn’t realize it until now. You might wonder how I didn’t notice it back in high school. Well…I was wrapped up in my ego back then. My mom used to tell me I was addicted to my phone, but I would always brush it off. In my mind, as long as I kept my GPA high, it didn’t count as a real problem. And to be fair, I was pulling 90s, even while glued to my screen. So I thought, “How bad could it be?”

But then college hit, things changed. My grades slipped. My confidence collapsed. Suddenly, the tricks that used to work didn’t anymore. My ability to multitask, to study with distractions, to function while constantly checking notifications — it all failed me. And for the first time, I couldn’t deny it: this was an addiction. 

I started to realize that my phone had become a coping mechanism. Any time I felt anxious, bored, lonely, or overwhelmed, I’d reach for it without thinking. 

One thing I’ve really started to notice is how much my behavior has changed. I’m almost always in a bad mood. I barely have the will to do anything, even the basics. It’s like I’m constantly stuck in this fog, and I can’t shake it. I used to have drive, ideas, and things I wanted to get done. But now, even getting out of bed feels like a chore. Everything feels forced, like I’m running on empty.

It hasn’t just affected how I feel, it’s affected how I treat the people around me, too. My relationships with my family and friends have started to change, and not in a good way. I’ve become more impatient, more distant. I snap at people for no reason. I zone out when they’re talking to me. I’ve noticed myself getting irritated over the smallest things. I give short replies, ignore calls, and cancel plans. And the truth is, it’s not because I don’t care. It’s because I don’t have it in me to care the way I used to. I’m so caught up in my own fatigue, my own scrolling, my own world on a screen, that I’ve started pushing people away without even realizing it.

The worst part of dependence is that you don’t know how to stop. And even when you do know, it still feels like you can’t. You feel trapped in your own habits, in your own head. And you keep hoping one day you’ll just snap out of it.

But change doesn’t come all at once. It starts with awareness. With honesty. With moments like this, you finally stop pretending everything’s fine and admit that something needs to shift.

And that’s where I am now. I don’t have it all figured out. But I’ve stopped lying to myself. I’ve started setting limits. Whether in the form of feeling guilty after every doomscroll, or setting a timer, or just acknowledging the limit. I’ve started trying, even if it’s messy and slow. Because at the end of the day, I still believe in who I can become. I still believe there’s a version of me out there who’s more present, more connected, not to a screen, but to life.

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By Marzia Seemat

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

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.

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Chapter 5: A different kind of college story

Thursday, July 10th, 2025
Me trying to make a circuit for my project

My orientation week at Tandon NYU was different from what I expected. I saw it on my first day of college. I planned the perfect outfit and makeup to show up as the perfect version of myself. If there was one thing I struggled with in high school, it was limiting my yapping. I’d talk too much, share too many personal details, and often walk away from conversations wondering if I’d come off the wrong way. So, during my orientation, I wanted to have a little balance. With this in mind, I expected to struggle a lot, wondering if I was blending in the right amount. 

But I guess everyone else was just as nervous—so nervous that they didn’t talk much at all. So, I felt like I had to bring my yapper self out just to make the room feel a little more alive. And so I did. And that beginning made me believe that maybe in college I could be a yapper and be okay. 

But then came the first week of classes, where things got real. As time went on, I was swept into the rush of assignments, exams, and the constant fear that maybe I wasn’t smart enough. Being one of the smartest people in my classes for most of my life had suddenly turned into feeling like one of the dumbest. I truly started questioning my place among all these people who, somehow, just seemed effortlessly smarter than me. And that was when I kind of noticed myself going quiet. All I wanted to do was just go to college, attend my lectures, do my labs, come back home, finish my homework, and cry before going to sleep. Amidst this chaos, I really forgot to go out, have fun, and be the yapper I enjoyed being. 

To be honest, with a routine like that, it would normally be pretty hard to make friends. But I guess I was lucky—people still found me friendly. Maybe we just trauma-bonded over the engineering grind. Whatever it was, it made integration in calculus a little more bearable, three-dimensional motion in physics slightly less painful, and those six-hour labs just tolerable enough to survive. 

Sometimes I wonder if people on this engineering campus even get a chance to enjoy college. I see my friends from high school going to parties every weekend, going out every day, posting stories from rooftops and cafes while I’m sitting in the library Googling “how to survive thermodynamics without crying.” For a while, it felt like I was missing out, and maybe I should just be a writing major, then at least I would have some time to breathe. 

It was really tempting. I remember almost going to my advisor and changing my major. After all, I have a passion for writing as well. But I didn’t. I felt ashamed, like changing majors meant I’d failed. Like, I wasn’t strong enough to handle engineering. That feeling hit my ego hard. Instead of admitting defeat, my pride pushed me to try even harder, maybe more out of stubbornness than anything else. It became less about what I truly wanted and more about proving to myself that I could do it, regardless of the circumstances.

Maybe this is what my college journey is really about—not the wild parties or the packed social calendars like some of my friends talk about. For me, it looks different. It’s late nights spent struggling with physics problems, trying to make sense of mechanics. It’s staring at a page filled with symbols until integration by parts finally seems okay. It’s discovering how to design something that doesn’t just look good but stands.

It’s the small victories of finally understanding a tricky concept or the moments of laughter with friends during study sessions. It’s about learning who I am when everything feels overwhelming. It’s about learning how I learn and thrive.

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By Marzia Seemat

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

For over 25 years, the Campus Clipper has helped college students in New York City—and later in Boston and Philadelphia—save money and succeed in city life. We offer a digital coupon booklet with discounts on food, clothing, and services, plus an Official Student Guidebook with real advice on how to navigate college life in a big city. Our internship program lets students build skills, earn money, and publish their own e-books. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for our newsletter to get deals straight to your inbox. To access the digital coupons, scan the QR code on our printed card—available in dorms, student centers, and around campus.

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