When you live off campus it isn’t every day that you can go out. You need to make arrangements now. Going out quickly changes from a spontaneous decision to having to plan well in advance. 

It is good practice for the post grad world, but it definitely puts a damper on the college experience. 

Recently, I went out and it was (sort of) spontaneous. With only a two day notice I figured out my plans on how to safely have a night out. There are many little things that go into deciding whether or not to go out–money, schoolwork, etc.

However, the most important question that needs to be solved before going out is: how do I get back home? 

There are a few options to safely get back home after going out. 

1. Staying sober and driving home. 
2. Having a friend or family member drive you home. 
3. Paying for an Uber.

Having to rely on loved ones to bring you home all the time can be difficult and Ubers can be costly. Staying sober is always the most responsible decision, but sometimes you want to let loose with your friends.

Luckily there is another option–couch crashing. This one also can involve the least amount of planning (depending on person to person) and therefore the nights can be spontaneous once again. 

Here is a quick breakdown on how to properly couch crash. 

First find a friend with a couch, or at least an apartment- there is always the floor. Then of course ask if you can stay the night. Never assume, especially in Boston where most people have at least one roommate. Some roommates aren’t going to want a stranger on their couch. 

Next, see what your friend has and what you need to bring. In other words, figure out if they have a pillow and blanket that you can borrow. If not, I highly recommend bringing at least one or the other, both are best. You are already going to be sleeping on a dorm or cheap apartment couch, so it is best to have something comfortable. You also don’t have to bring much to these sleepovers. I went straight from classes, but was able to fit everything in my backpack. 

The most important items I brought were:

A water bottle

A second pair of shoes (you don’t want to be walking home in pyjamas and heels)

Pyjamas

I didn’t find I needed much else. Everyone is different, but I recommend not overthinking when packing for an overnight stay. It makes the morning much easier when you have just one bag to bring home. 

For me an Uber trip from home to the city (and vice versa)  can cost anywhere from 40-70 dollars. This adds up quickly. Having to pay for an Uber has convinced me to stay at home multiple times. 

Now you may still be thinking it’s worth paying the money to Uber back. Uber costs can vary, so it may be inexpensive to get home and sleep in your bed. Sometimes Ubers are long, expensive, uncomfortable, and not guaranteed. 

Having a guaranteed place to stay allows the night to be carefree and fun. Not worrying about when you have to leave and how you are going to get home.  

Couch crashing doesn’t need to be complicated, but it can be really fun. 

Part of the fun of couch crashing is it can be like a nostalgic sleepover. My friends and I got some food, chatted, and watched a show before we all went to sleep. It ended up being one of the best parts of the night. It is almost like an opposite pregame where instead of getting ready with your friends, you wind down with them. 

Everything is an experience. Try to make the most of everything in college, even if it is sleeping on the most uncomfortable couch ever created.

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By Isabel DeSisto

Isabel DeSisto is a senior majoring in Writing, Literature, and Publishing at Emerson College. She is an avid traveler and is always looking to go on a trip. While adventurous, there is nothing she enjoys more than hanging out with her dogs and reading a book.

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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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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. 

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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. 

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. 

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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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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.