Archive for the ‘onValues’ Category

Crash Course Connections Ch. 2: Roommates

Wednesday, June 18th, 2025

Your roommates might be the first people you meet in college. Maybe you click instantly, living together is a breeze, and you’re naming each other maid of honor by mid-September. Or maybe they become your nemesis. More often, it’s something in between: you coexist peacefully but keep your distance, or you barely interact at all. So how do you navigate this wide spectrum of roommate relationships? I’ve experienced both ends (and everything in between), so let’s talk about it.

My first roommate—let’s call her Jennifer—was one of my first friends at NYU. She was sweet, but tension started building when she consistently avoided doing her share of the chores. Jennifer was more reserved, so I went out of my way to include her: I welcomed her into my friend group, invited her to hangouts, and tried to help her feel at home in a new city. But that generosity eventually became a burden. Her dependency began to impact my social life and personal experiences.

I remember a road trip to D.C. early in freshman year. Jennifer brought only heels and struggled to walk around the city, making it hard for her to enjoy or participate in our planned activities. When asked what she’d prefer to do, she offered no suggestions. By the end of the trip, she had to be reminded to make her own meals and clean up the Airbnb, arguably basic responsibilities she seemed to struggle with.

In situations like this, open and honest communication is crucial. I shared my frustrations with her multiple times about her lack of contribution to our living space and her passivity in our friendship. She always received the feedback politely, but nothing changed. Eventually, it started affecting my ability to stay close with her.

When you don’t have a strong relationship with your roommate, a lack of communication can lead to some… interesting surprises. One night after dinner, I came back to our room to find a camping tent on Jennifer’s bed. She had placed her mattress inside it for “privacy” and to block out light. Soon after, she became almost fully nocturnal, taking advantage of her online classes. That shift only added more distance between us.

Here’s what I learned from that experience:
First, not every friendship, no matter how close it once felt, is meant to last. Sometimes, the more intimately you know someone, the more clearly you see your intolerable differences. Letting go is healthy. Friendships require effort from both sides, and when that effort isn’t mutual, it’s okay to step away. That’s not cruelty; it’s self-preservation.

Second, even the people closest to you can’t read your mind. While I communicated my bigger frustrations to Jennifer, I let a lot of smaller irritations build up silently. That resentment took a toll. You don’t have to nitpick every minor inconvenience, but speaking up calmly and clearly before things spiral is often much easier than bottling everything up. After all, you’re sharing a space. Both people deserve to feel comfortable.

Frustrated woman confronting her roommate’s uncleanliness.

Now, let’s flip the script: what if you’re rooming with your best friends? That can be a dream come true or a fast track to disaster if you’re not prepared for the shift in dynamics. Yes, they’re your “besties,” but now they’re also your roommates. Respect their time and space, and don’t let your friendship make you slack on your responsibilities. A clean, welcoming living environment is still the goal.

As someone who has now lived with her best friends for over a year, I can say this with confidence: communication is everything.

Living with people you love requires the same toolkit as living with strangers. You will disagree, but it’s how you handle those moments that defines the experience. Be open to compromise. Maintain your boundaries and respect theirs. Do that, and you’ll not only survive: you’ll make some of the best memories of your college years.

Have fun, and good luck!

Holiday party at my roommates’ and I’s apartment last semester.
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By Logan O’Connor

Logan is a rising senior at NYU pursuing degrees in Journalism and Politics. She grew up on Long Island, but always dreamed of living in New York City. When she’s not in class or at her favorite local cafe, you can find her wandering the city (film camera in hand) or baking up a storm in her kitchen.


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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Juggling Relationships: Making Time for Friends and Family

Tuesday, June 17th, 2025

Graduating from high school marks a significant chapter in a person’s life. It symbolizes a shift that propels a person forward into a life far away from home. Students are separated from their friends and families and are expected to form bonds and connections with new people on their own. It can be hard to build a stable bridge between the relationships that already exist in your life and the ones that are being constructed in college.

In my first year of college the transition to life amongst new friends and new people felt quite natural. I jumped at the chance to participate in campus events and other social engagements that Pace University had to offer. I worked with people in class and found like-minded peers who shared similar interests with me, prompting out-of-class studying and socialization. 

A group of friends and I share a laugh.

My sophomore year, I joined the Nature Club and made friends with some of my fellow club members, finding a small but strong community of people who care about the same things and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking. However, I am most thankful for making an effort to form strong relationships with my freshman year suitemates. Both of my suitemates were on Pace’s Swim and Dive Team and because we became such close friends, I was often invited to social gatherings with the rest of the team, despite not being a swimmer myself. I found some of my favorite people on this team and I am forever grateful for making the connections that I have, even when the connections seemed so simple to begin with. This process of making new friends was never easy though, as a lot of these friendships took time to build. Some relationships did not last very long, with some of them ending very badly and some of them slowly deteriorating over time. I only ever joined one club and I have never been a part of college athletics, but I did my best to take advantage of situations where I was surrounded by new people to create a fresh life for myself. 

It was very challenging to make enough time for friends and family back home amidst the influx of work and the new friends that I was trying to build relationships with. In order to maintain these relationships with old friends and my family, I made an effort to text them as often as I could throughout the week. We would exchange stories and give updates on our separate lives so that we stayed involved and engaged with each other even while we were physically apart. I would try my best to schedule Facetime calls at least once a week with friends and family. It helps to communicate over text but when you really miss the people you love it can be hard to go without seeing their faces and audibly hearing them laugh. I found a lot of value in making time for those Facetime calls. Sometimes things would get extremely hectic and busy and our schedules wouldn’t align in time to make a call, but we wouldn’t let it discourage us from making a call the next chance we were free. I found it very important to make that sort of communication consistent as much as possible, and I have stayed close friends with those who I remained consistently in contact with. 

Beyond making time for your relationships with others, it is important to fit in enough time to maintain your relationship with yourself. It can be overwhelming when it feels like there are so many different people to spend time with, but it is also necessary to allot certain points in the week purely and solely for yourself, free of others. I found that going on periodic walks helped to clear my head and give me the alone time that I needed every once in a while. There were certainly periods of time when I felt suffocated by socialization and I realized that I needed a break from dedicating so much time towards others.

The key to juggling relationships is just working out a plan, either mental or physical, that divvies up enough time for all of the people that you care enough about. Putting in the time and effort towards others emphasizes care and compassion; no matter how hard things are or how busy things may get, consistency is essential.  

Discounted prices for students at Auntie Anne’s in Downtown NYC.

By Ryder Huseby

Ryder is going into his Junior year as a Writing and Rhetoric major at Pace University in Pleasantville, New York. Ryder is a passionate reader and enjoys going to the movie theater as often as he can.

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 2: The silent sacrifice

Tuesday, June 17th, 2025
My Commitment Post

I have always considered myself to be selfish. My parents say it all the time—and honestly, they are not wrong. As a kid, I was laser-focused on what I wanted. At the mall, I’d hunt down my stuff first, and the second I had it? I was ready to go. Didn’t care who else needed to shop; I had my things, I was done. 

When I grew up, the idea of being selfish started to haunt me. Sometimes, it hurt to think that maybe I was the person who always put herself first. Deep down, I wanted to be different. I wanted to be the kind of daughter who gave her whole heart to her parents. But no matter how much I cared, my actions never seemed to say it loudly enough. I was caught between wanting to give everything and not knowing how to express it, so I often said things I didn’t mean—things that probably sounded like the opposite of love.

Maybe that’s why when college decisions came around the corner, my heart leaned toward what my parents wanted. It wasn’t pressure, exactly— they never forced anything. But I could feel it. They saw their childhood in me. The chances they never got, the roads they couldn’t take. 

At first, I didn’t fully understand. I thought they were just being vague when they said, “It’s up to you.” But it didn’t take a genius to hear what they weren’t saying. I could read it in their eyes, in the way they paused, in the way they tried not to persuade me but persuaded me anyway. Their silence was filled with hope, and I felt it sitting beside me every time I opened a college portal.

I prayed for my college decisions to keep me in New York City. I grew up here—it’s home. And as the oldest daughter of immigrant parents, the thought of leaving felt like too much. I couldn’t imagine settling somewhere far and starting over without them nearby. But that didn’t stop me from wanting it all—to get into every school I applied to, to have the kind of choices I never thought possible. 

What I didn’t realize was that this second wish would send my life into chaos. I got into Columbia for writing and NYU for engineering. Two schools. Two dreams. Both in my city. Both too real to ignore.

On one hand, there was Columbia, an Ivy League—prestigious, poetic, the kind of place that would take my writing seriously. It felt like choosing the part of me that always struggled to express herself.  On the other hand, there was NYU, one of the best for engineering. Practical. Respected, which felt like choosing the part of me that thrived on building, solving, and understanding how the world worked. Which one do I choose? Which one is better for me? For my family? 

Whichever one I chose, I knew I would have to let go of a part of myself. My identity. Not because I didn’t want both, but because sometimes two dreams just don’t fit in the same life. 

In the end, I chose engineering — not just for me, but for the version of me my parents always believed in. I chose it because it was my first dream, even before writing. I chose it because I already was a writer, with or without a degree. And I chose it because it felt like building something, not just a future, but a bridge between who I was, who I wanted to be, and who I wanted to make proud.

Maybe I am selfish in other ways, but no rule says selfish people are heartless. Choosing engineering wasn’t just about me—it was the only way I knew how to love them back.

For my mom, it was a way to say her sacrifices were seen. That every meal made after a long day, every quiet worry she carried, every time she put her own life on pause—it all mattered. If I couldn’t always find the words, then let this choice be my way of saying thank you.

And for my dad, it was something deeper. He once dreamed of this path for himself, but life pulled him in another direction. I chose engineering partly because he still carries that dream. And because I wanted to carry it with him, to make him feel like he didn’t give it up for nothing.

So if I couldn’t always say it out loud, let this be the way I show it. Not just a degree. Not just a future. But a quiet promise that I acknowledge them.


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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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Making the Most of Your Circle

Tuesday, June 17th, 2025

Once you find your people in New York City, the city changes in a magical way. The chaos remains, but suddenly you are no longer facing it alone and life starts to feel like a shared adventure. The city that once felt enormous and anonymous becomes a little smaller, a little warmer, and a lot more fun. 

My circle started with my roommate, but before I knew it my bubble started to expand as we continued to meet more people. Late-night ice cream runs with the girls from our hall turned into real connections, and joining campus groups like a sorority introduced me to women from all over the world, all eager to find friendship and community in the city. It did not happen overnight, but the more I put myself out there, the more New York shifted from a dreamlike haze to a real home.

There’s something special about learning a new city with people who are just as wide-eyed and curious as you are. The closer I got with my friends, the more eager we became to explore the city together which led to countless adventures. Whether it’s venturing into Brooklyn for strawberry matcha or watching Timothee Chalamet shoot a Chanel commercial in Soho, doing it together turned every outing into a core memory.  Some of my favorite memories in New York are things that I would never do alone. I’m not the type of person who just shows up to a festival in Little Italy, but when my roommate insisted, I went along with it, and it ended up being one of the best nights of my first month living in the city. We rode a ferris wheel- something I never knew existed in the streets of New York. That’s the magic of a good circle; they nudge you outside of your comfort zone, while still making you feel safe. They bring both the fun out of the city and you.

Me on the Feast of San Gennaro Festival Ferris Wheel!

Your people also ground you when things start to feel overwhelming, which happens often living somewhere as busy as the Big Apple. It is completely normal to feel on top of the world one moment, and the next, you’re crying on the packed subway because your Apple Pay keeps getting denied and you’re already running late. I’ve had friends drop everything just to meet me for an emergency matcha, or walk with me in silence, or both just because I needed company. The best part of having a close circle is that when you are surrounded by people who care about you, the hard moments soften. 

What I’ve learned from the people I’ve grown close to has both elevated and transformed my entire experience living here. Your people are the ones who send you Insta reels about the next restaurant you have to try, or sit with you on the steps of a Brownstone you dream about living in one day. Your people will grow with you, and help hold you up when you need it. They will be there for every win, from successfully hauling a cab or passing your final exams. My people have transformed New York from an impossible maze into an open playground, and yours will too.

It’s easy to feel alone, but the right people will make New York feel like home. Sometimes all it takes is one or two people who get you, who show up, and who make even the most ordinary moments feel memorable. So yes, finding your people takes time, but once you do, make the most of them.

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All Work and No Play: Exploring the Newfound Freedoms of College

Friday, June 13th, 2025

One of the most challenging elements of the college experience is finding enough time for everything important. It is such a unique period of life that can be so complicated to navigate, it can be so difficult to make enough time for yourself and your priorities stepping into the unfamiliar and uncertain college scene. College exists in a realm between the irresponsibility of youth and the responsibility of the real-world, creating a space where students learn to be self-sufficient, while maintaining a sense of freedom.  

Living on an academic campus, I realized how intertwined life and academics truly were now that I was at college. We have our dorm rooms all to ourselves where we have the chance to live how we want, slowly learning how to function on our own without the guidance of our parents. However, practically every day is dedicated to academics, with a large chunk of the day being spent walking across campus to class and sitting through lectures, discussions, presentations, etc. Dedicating this much time solely towards education can be particularly draining in many instances, especially while you are developing a newfound sense of freedom and individuality. It can also be difficult when some of your courses do not exactly align with your interests, whether it be on account of the professor’s methods of teaching or on account of the subject itself. I have taken a couple classes that just did not draw my attention at all and I felt very disengaged from the course content. When I felt disengaged from the course I found it hard to justify the amount of time spent dedicated towards the class; sitting through boring lectures, spending hours studying at the library when I could be spending time with my friends instead, going out to eat or to the movies downtown. This was a dynamic that I had to learn to balance.

While, yes, one of the primary focuses of college is on education, it would be a disservice for any college student to not take advantage of the freedoms that college offers. Sometimes it’s worth it to blow off a night of exhausting studying to sit on your friend’s floor talking about something that’s troubling you, to share a few laughs with someone or to get some necessary time alone to decompress after a long day. However, managing and balancing this can be a slippery slope. There have been times when I overindulged in my freedoms and found myself struggling academically. In one of my classes where we had weekly readings, I started to fall behind because I would put off the readings until the night before. When it eventually got to the night before, I would have little motivation to read because it was late and I was tired. When it came time to take my midterm and final exams I was incredibly unprepared, having not read some of the more important texts. My grades reflected my minimal effort and I learned from my mistake for the future. 

A group of friends and I taking advantage of our free time.

There is such a thing as spending too much time and energy on academics as well. Devoting too much mental energy towards schoolwork can be debilitating and affect your happiness, as I have learned through personal experience. When I don’t get a chance to see my friends or get time where my brain is free from the constant state of completing work and consuming information, there is always a notable shift in my demeanor. It is always important to stay on top of the school workload, but never to the detriment of your emotional wellbeing. I have always believed that investing strong emotions into schoolwork is dangerous. I have seen friends align their self-worth with their academic performance and fall hard when they are unable to meet the unattainable expectations that they create for themselves. A certain level of passion and commitment is essential to succeed, and in some classes I developed a very deep care and affection for the subject matter, but never to the point where I felt completely and entirely emotionally bound to my success.

I believe that college is a great opportunity for young adults to discover who they are, free from the influence of their parents. With the fresh space that college offers, students, like myself, are given the chance to find the necessary time in their schedules to live freely, an opportunity that I think is limited, in many cases, in later adult life.      

$50 off for student groups of 8 or more looking for fun in Upper West Side NYC.

By Ryder Huseby

Ryder is going into his Junior year as a Writing and Rhetoric major at Pace University in Pleasantville, New York. Ryder is a passionate reader and enjoys going to the movie theater as often as he can.

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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Finding Your People in a City of 8 Million

Wednesday, June 11th, 2025

New York City  can feel like you are dropped into a sea of strangers when you first arrive. The sidewalks are always crowded, the subway cars are packed, and even the local Trader Joe’s is always swarming with people. Despite being constantly surrounded by others, it’s easy to feel completely alone. I know firsthand that college students, especially those who’ve moved from quieter places, can feel this loneliness hit hard, like an oncoming train. Most kids have to adjust to a new school, which is already scary, but when moving to NYC, you’re building a whole new life from scratch in a city filled with 8 million people. So, how do you get through that? Well, there is no exact answer, no step-by-step guide or recipe to follow, but what I can say is the key to surviving and thriving is by having true friends by your side. 

When I got into NYU, I knew almost no one heading into the city. Like many other incoming freshmen, I turned to Instagram to find potential roommates and maybe even a few friendly faces to recognize on campus. That’s how I found the person who ended up being my roommate, but also my best friend. I was hesitant to reach out, but when I saw that we had a lot of similarities, I figured hitting send on a DM to her was worth the shot. We ended up bonding over a shared love for Harry Styles and our excitement for not having to use communal bathrooms at NYU. What started as a few DMs turned into something much deeper. The day we moved in, we connected instantly, and by the end of that first week, we were finishing each other’s sentences. 

My roomie and I excited over a billboard featuring Harry Styles & Florence Pugh

After countless midnight snack runs, sometimes even in the rain, we decided we wanted to connect with other students in our building. I had the unique idea of playing tic-tac-toe through our dorm room doors. Literally. We would scribble Xs and Os on paper and slide them under random kids’ doors and then sit back on the floor of our room eagerly awaiting for a paper to slide back under our door. We felt like kids passing notes in class, which was both nostalgic and comforting. It might have been silly, and maybe even a tad childish, but it made those first few weeks feel a little less scary. 

My relationship with my roommate was rare and something I still cherish today as we are going into our fourth year of living together. However, not everyone finds their people on day one, and that is both completely okay and normal. The truth is, it takes time to form real, lasting connections in a place as busy and quickly paced as NYC. You’ll meet hundreds of people in your first semester alone, whether it’s in the classroom, club meetings, or even the elevators. Some people may ask if the seat next to you is taken and then never see you again. Some friendships will fade, but the exciting part is that some will stick forever. 

Just a couple of days ago, I sat down on a bench waiting to meet my mom and stepdad for lunch, and a girl sitting next to me suddenly turned and started talking. She was visiting her friend in the city, and we chatted for 15 minutes about both everything and nothing. There was no agenda, no expectation. It reminded me that in this city, friendships often begin with the smallest gestures, like a comment about the weather, a compliment on someone’s outfit, or even a game of tic-tac-toe between two dorm doors. 

One of the most important things that I’ve learned over the past few years is that finding your people in NYC is a journey, not a race. You have to relax and trust that you will meet your people, whether it’s in your DMs, on a park bench, or maybe even in the room next door. And when you do meet them, hold onto them. In a city of 8 million, those few who truly get the real you, make all the difference.  

What better way to connect with new friends in the city than over a coffee? Use this student discount to get 20% off at Absolute Coffee for June & July only!  

By: Skylar Park

Skylar Park is a Film & TV student at NYU with a passion for storytelling and city adventures. When she’s not writing or filming, you can find her running by the East River or hunting down the coziest bookstores in New York City.


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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Crash Course Connections Ch 1: New Beginnings

Wednesday, June 11th, 2025

Coming to college is starting from scratch—an exciting, sometimes nerve-wracking, chapter of life filled with possibility. Whether you’re attending a school close to home or heading off to a new city, college offers a fresh start. And before you’ve even found your footing, the pressure to find your new best friends can be overwhelming. Lucky for you, this pressure is universal, and you are far from alone.

Those first few weeks on campus are nonetheless crucial for laying the groundwork for new friendships. Everyone is adjusting, finding their classes, navigating dorm life, and figuring out where the best coffee is. During this time, people are especially open to meeting others, so be sure to take advantage.

Go to orientation events, campus tours, welcome mixers, and even cheesy icebreaker activities. These are designed to help you meet people and start conversations. You never know; your future best friend might be your accomplice in sneaking into the succulent planting welcome event that you never got off the waitlist for. That might sound oddly specific, but that is precisely how I made my first, and closest, friend here. 

We met in the first week before classes had even started, but it was only once we found ourselves appearing at the same social events time and time again that we became close. We started to realize all of our shared interests, from cafe-hopping to art museums, and just like that I had found a partner in crime. It is with her, my friend Ambika, that I met my other now roommate Taylor, and we quickly became a nearly inseparable unit. 

The “unit” in question- (right to left) Ambika, Taylor, and me

 It will likely happen like this, if it hasn’t already, for you as well. You have to be open to the opportunity, but the right acquaintances will, with both rapid speed and gradual commitment, become family. So maybe keep your headphones out at the school bookstore, compliment that girl’s jacket, and dive into a conversation about how you both love thrifting. Let the world in, and I guarantee the rest will fall into place. 

 Join clubs, sports teams, or student organizations that interest you. Whether it’s an intramural volleyball league, the school newspaper, or a club for people who love baking, getting involved is a fantastic way to meet people with shared interests. These groups give you a natural space to interact and bond without the pressure of having to “make friends” on the spot.

You also don’t need a big circle of friends. In fact, it’s often better to focus on forming a few genuine connections. Meet as many people as you can handle, but don’t feel pressured to sustain all of these relationships. If you click with someone- great! Follow -up, grab coffee, and invite them on outings or to group hangouts. If you are finding it difficult to deepen a friendship, try stepping back and directing that energy towards expanding your network or fostering other connections you’ve made. 

Remember, friendships take time to grow. You might not find “your people” in the first week or even the first month, and that’s okay. Keep showing up. Keep reaching out. Be open to different ideas and perspectives, and talk to as many people as possible. 

Reinventing yourself in college can be exciting, especially when you’re in a new environment. While growth is a natural part of the process, try not to lose sight of who you are. The strongest bonds come from a foundation of authenticity. Let people get to know the real you—the you that loves photography, longs to travel, despises techno music, and has strong opinions about politics.

Vulnerability is scary, especially when you don’t know anyone yet and you don’t want to close any doors. But being honest invites others to do the same, and in turn allows you to filter out the people who were never meant to stay in your life.

You will also feel lonely at times, especially in the beginning, when your family is done helping you unpack and you’re left sitting in your dorm room alone. This is all a part of the process. Everyone experiences moments of homesickness, anxiety, or awkwardness during the transition. It’s not only normal but expected. I assure you, it will pass. But, in the meantime, reach out for comfort—turn to a roommate or call a hometown friend. 

College is about so much more than academics. It’s about the relationships you build, the memories you make, and the people who will shape your journey. Friendships will evolve over time. Some will be short-lived, others lifelong. All of them will teach you something.

So take that first step. Say hello. Sit down at a new table, because you never know who will be sitting across from you.

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By Logan O’Connor

Logan is a rising senior at NYU pursuing degrees in Journalism and Politics. She grew up on Long Island, but always dreamed of living in New York City. When she’s not in class or at her favorite local cafe, you can find her wandering the city (film camera in hand) or baking up a storm in her kitchen.


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 1: Two Dreams, One Me

Tuesday, June 10th, 2025
A picture of myself at my favorite restaurant

Hey, welcome to my first-ever blog! I am Marzia—part engineer and part writer, but a full-time yapper. Stick around—it might get messy, but it’ll be fun!! 

My childhood was filled with countless ferry rides from my city to my grandma’s house. As the ferry cut through the gloomy water, I would always stare at the buildings along the shore. They didn’t seem just like structures—they seemed like interesting designs. I would spend the entire time staring at them, the windows, the colors, the shapes, the balconies, and the way they stood next to the water. Sometimes, I would even take wild guesses about the materials used or the money spent on building them, and at other times, I would be too busy wondering how the design could have been better.

It wasn’t long before I started experimenting on my own. On my eighth birthday, my parents gifted me a Lego set. It was more than a toy to me; it was a door to my imagination. I was building hundreds of buildings in a day, experimenting with each one. Each structure was a new challenge—could it be taller, stronger in the base, and more color-oriented? Every time I finished one, I would run around the house to show off my masterpiece. When I was done being showered with compliments, I would take it apart and start over, hoping to come up with a design even more intriguing. 

The more I built, the more I began to believe that I could be an engineer. And the more I believed, the stronger my desire to be one became. So I did everything I could to be an even better engineer. The math geek that I was, I tried to skip every basic arithmetic lesson and dive into the math involved in making real buildings.

As a full-on math nerd, I used to hate writing. But when COVID-19 hit and I was stuck at home with the same three people every day, I started to go a little crazy. That’s when I was struck with a shocking desire to journal. I wanted to write down everything I was doing in the day as if I was going to suffer from memory loss the next day. I still don’t know why.

The more I wrote about my days, I more I discovered that damn I can write?!?! I would try to be poetic and use insanely long formal words to describe simple things. Instead of writing “I took a sip from my cup of coffee,” I would try to write some ridiculous, thing as “I delicately sipped from my cup of coffee, allowing the warmth and bitter aroma to settle before continuing with my thoughts.” Before I knew it, I was writing stories, editing them, and proofreading them. 

As the days of the lockdown extended, my writing habit turned into a ritual I couldn’t live without. The engineer in me couldn’t believe it: I was falling in love with writing. When my works finally got published in physical books, I knew I couldn’t turn my back on writing anymore. 

Just like that, my dream of being an engineer expanded—I wanted to be a writer too.

Funny how the worst times can bring out parts of you that might’ve stayed hidden. Without COVID, I don’t know if I would’ve ever met the writer in me. I was so set on being an engineer, I never even thought about writing. But when everything shut down and the world got quiet, I had nothing but time and thoughts. Writing became my way of making sense of it all. What started as something to pass the time turned into something I loved. Now, I am someone with two dreams, two passions, and two identities.


Get 15% OFF your next slice (or whole pie — we don’t judge). Swing by Pronto Pizza and treat yourself— because good pizza with a discount is a win-win.


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 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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See You Next Time!

Monday, June 9th, 2025
A selfie for the road 🙂

My Chapter at Campus Clipper has come to a close. I am so, so grateful for all I’ve learned through this internship and the many ways I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone in the past year!

It may not come as a surprise after I’ve written all these blog posts attempting to give some tips and tricks to college students, but I actually don’t have all the answers, nor do I like pretending I do. At the start of last year’s fall semester, I started these blog posts with a focus on journaling because that was what I felt like I knew best. I still firmly believe that journaling kept me somewhat sane throughout high school and college, and without it, I don’t know where I would’ve ended up. Because of how much journaling helped me, I wanted to share the tactics I’d learned with others. It’s inexaplicably cathartic to write letters you’ll never send, to rant and rage on a piece of paper and burn it, to jot down senses and notes of appreciation, to exist as something that isn’t up for anyone else’s perception, unless, of course, you decide to publish your journals (or you’re like Emily Dickinson, whose sister published her letters, journals, and poems posthumously against her behalf).

When the spring semester began, I wanted to broaden my topic to more than just journaling as a self-help tool, so I branched out into self-care and wellness in general, though I didn’t have too much expertise on such. I did, however, have fun researching faux supplement trends, how to protect your peace in unhealthy environments, and ways to navigate digital life and mental health. I even started recording and editing podcasts about these topics, which was very new to me. Least to say, it’s been a ride, and a rewarding one!

Of course, all good things must come to an end. The truth is, as I board the halfway mark of my master’s degree and my year of being 25, I find myself having a perfectly scheduled quarter-life identity crisis. I simply don’t do a lot of the things I used to, and I’ve started to find difficulty in settling with that information. I haven’t touched my camera in ages, I haven’t journaled much these last few months, and it has become nearly impossible for me to write creatively as opposed to nonfiction or satire, as I feel almost unable to channel deep, passionate emotions into my writing the same way I used to. My reading habits are inconsistent. My Last Four Watched is too commercialized to actually log. Realizing all of these things is a tell-tale sign that I’m in a more transitory period than ever, personality-wise. Most of what I’ve always felt attached to has shifted, or been put on pause, and I’m in the midst of sorting out what I want to come back and what I want to bring in. 

For a long time, journaling was my coping mechanism AND my main form of writing. It was where I went to understand my feelings and process them. It was where I’d go to say my worst, most unhinged thoughts. It was where I let the other, less composed part of me live, in a way. I still think journaling is that place for me, but I’m not sure I’m in the mental headspace where I need it anymore, at least not as much as I used to. Maybe it’s the fully formed frontal lobe! Despite all the changes I’ve gone through, journaling was something that made me feel tethered to what I thought was a permanent version of myself, someone I thought I was inherently supposed to become.  It feels weird to not have journaled or taken pictures in a while, as I’ve pretty much been consistently doing both for the last 10 years. All that is to say, my creative endeavors are headed somewhere, but I’m not quite sure where yet.

 Thus, my blog writing journey at Campus Clipper has met its end. I hope to see you at my next spot!

-Brenna

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Just Around the Corner: Burgers and Beers

Wednesday, June 4th, 2025

Two steps away from Tío Pepe, the Spanish restaurant I previously reviewed with my good friend Brady, is another incredible eatery for local students and young professionals looking for a savory bite after internships, classes, and work hours. While the next-door establishment does not specialize in large European spreads, the menu carries its own assortment of popular food: classic American cuisine. Burgers and Beers is a sit-down spot just around the corner from New York University, which pays homage to the most stereotypical foods offered in the patriotic land of red, white, and blue. After all, it’s right there in the name.

The homey brick wall to my left had an abundance of fun signage.

Brady and I started with a simple platter of onion rings upon settling into the quaint room decorated with Americana paraphernalia. He sipped on a flight of multi-colored beers as we sampled our first appetizer. The piping hot onion rings were the size of softballs, with thick, fried, and crispy breading. A generous side of ranch complemented the soft-centered starters and the basket of tender chicken wings that followed.

Brady’s flight of beer paired well with our onion rings.

“The onion rings were hard to beat! Loved the ranch as a dipping sauce. The rings were crunchy and there was a good taste of flavors overall,” Brady raved. “The wings have a nice flavor, though are not very spicy. So they’re good for people who don’t want that, like me. The sauce these flats and drums come with does have a nice aioli/chipotle ranch taste that really gives them a nice tang.”

The crispy chicken wings did not disappoint in texture or appearance!

We ordered our speciality burgers and a whopping side of bacon cheese fries to share throughout the afternoon. My friend selected the standard American burger, while opted for the French onion soup burger. Although the bread is typically a simple brioche bun, the staff noted that patrons can request for gluten free bread and additionally displayed the entree picks for vegetarians.

The over-easy egg from the classic American burger oozed out as my friend tried to eat it.

“The American burger filled me up so quickly that I had to save the rest for home. I always love an egg on a burger. Really good bacon beef and cheese here!” my friend ecstatically reflected. ”Loved the fries themselves. Crunchy fries were a perfect texture plus with cheese and bacon that doesn’t feel too greasy, which is nice.”

We devoured this platter of melted cheese and chopped bacon atop a bed of french fries.

My beef burger was characterized by its golden-brown bread, thick cut of meat, sweet, sliced onions, and a variety of seasonings that blend together to create a sensational meal. I deeply appreciated the French onion soup inspiration, as this piece was completely unique compared to burgers found at nearby fast food joints.

A close look at the french onion soup inspired burger.

“I tried the french onion soup burger and loved the taste! For being a soup burger, it’s not too wet! The onions were good and caramelized,” Brady thought.

As an underage customer, I was unable to sample the second-half of the restaurant’s title. I left the reviewing and note-taking to my company.

“I did like the on-tap beer. Duck black, a nice porter, dark, but good taste. IPAs are not my favorite,” he confessed. “But both the coney island and lagunita were decent, and of course, yuengling lager was easy to drink.”

Brady showcases his different beers, completing them all before we finished our meal.

A sharp contrast to Tío Pepe, Burgers and Beers serves both traditional, meaty burgers and ones with a twist. The cozy interior houses a selection of beers and fun American posters, serving as a perfect place for both students and tourists. 

“Burgers and Beers is a really nice cozy place specializing in unique burgers with some sides offered. With a choice between beef, chicken, and an impossible burger, anyone will be able to find and enjoy one of these unique burgers!” Brady reviewed.

Our starting spread before it was demolished.

Students interested in trying their extensive eatery can use the Campus Clipper coupon and present a valid student ID to claim a discount. Burgers and Beers has one location, just next to Tío Pepe, another partner of our coupon magazine!

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