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Crash Course Connections Ch. 7: Far From Campus

Thursday, July 31st, 2025

If I could recommend one thing to do during your college experience, it would be to study abroad. After spending half of high school in lockdown, travel in coming to college started to feel like a real possibility rather than just a Pinterest board of pipe dreams. Eventually, I stopped decorating my walls with vacation photos and started packing my bags.

Since there are so many positives to this experience, I’ll start with the negatives.

The hardest part of going abroad is uprooting your comfortable little life. You don’t realize how much you take for granted until you’re away from it all – being close to home, your friends, your favorite coffee shop, or even just being able to speak the same language as everyone around you. It takes adjusting, just like moving to college took adjusting. But by the end of it, you come out of the experience as a new, and likely better, version of yourself. You become more cultured, more curious, and more empathetic. More human.

The more you embrace unfamiliar people, cultures, perspectives, and experiences, the more you discover parts of yourself you didn’t even know existed.

This series is all about connections, so let’s get into the people you meet abroad.

Study abroad friends from Florence, pictured on our first group trip to Vietri Sul Mare.

My first time studying abroad was in Florence, Italy. I was lucky enough to go with one of my best friends, which made for the perfect travel buddy situation. I quickly made new friends, fell into a rhythm of exploring Western Europe, and soaked up every moment. I’m still close with the people I met in Florence. In fact, I’m probably closer to them now than we were during the actual semester. Something about traveling together either bonds… or breaks.

When you’re sharing cramped Airbnbs and catching 6 a.m. flights with a group, tensions flare. Sometimes for no reason other than everyone being tired and irritable. That’s when you learn: you need a certain disposition to just go with the flow when things don’t go as planned. Because they won’t. And if you can’t, the trip will suffer.

I’ve traveled with people I thought I could barely tolerate for more than twenty minutes. But then we came home, stepped outside of the travel bubble, and became completely different people to each other. Some friendships really do blossom after the fact, but not all connections are meant to last. Fleeting encounters, whether platonic, romantic, or something in between, are practically a hallmark of solo travel.

For my second semester abroad, I went to London. Not exactly a massive departure from New York, but it was European enough to feel like an escape. This time, I went alone. I didn’t know a single soul going in, which made it both lonely and liberating.

A walk down Tower Bridge from my semester in London.

At first, the idea of traveling solo scared me. There’s comfort in having people to help plan, navigate, and share the experience with. Going to Marrakech, Morocco, by myself pushed me to manage all aspects of the trip—budgeting, timing, safety, and decision-making. I got to spend my time exactly how I wanted, without having to consider anyone else’s needs. I could fully be me, or I could be someone completely new. How exciting!

Solo travel forced me to connect in ways I wouldn’t have otherwise. From the person in the hostel bed next to mine to the local sitting beside me in a café to strangers in markets and museums, I had some instant connections. There was Puck in Dublin and the group I met in Barcelona. I flirted with strangers, danced merengue with people I’ll never see again, and made memories that feel almost dreamlike now.

And that’s okay. Those light, transient moments are beautiful precisely because they’re temporary. They exist in their purest form: no pressure, no expectations, no future to complicate the memory.

Of course, I still try to exchange socials. Why not? We live in an age where staying in touch is easier than ever. But I also make peace with the idea that not every connection is built to last. Some people are meant to be shooting stars—bright, brief, and unforgettable.

My best friend and I in Paris, posing in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
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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 andTikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for ournewsletter 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. 6: Dating 101

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

Ah, college dating life, where to begin? The lore of finding your “true love” on campus runs deep. We all hear the stories: two freshmen sit next to each other in an Intro to Psych class, and boom —they end up getting married ten years later. There’s a kind of romantic hope that college will be the time where it all clicks. High school was just practice for the real thing, a prequel to the great love story we’re meant to star in.

In reality, it’s quite brutal.

Some people fall into (and out of) relationships like it’s part of their routine. Others don’t date at all. And in between, there’s the strange, emotionally ambiguous purgatory that is the situationship: a non-committal “thing” that looks like a relationship, feels like a relationship, but is never named as one. It’s confusing and often exhausting.

In my world, the first year of college wasn’t about dating. I bounced around, got to know people, and explored different circles and sides of myself. I had no heavy intention to commit because I didn’t want to. I was curious and open and still figuring out who I even was. And on top of that, I knew I was going abroad to Florence, which added a natural time limit to any potential connection.

Studying abroad opens up an entirely new kind of dating landscape. In Florence, connections were usually fun, passionate, and short-term. People were in it for the experience, not the longevity. That in itself can be beautiful: learning how to live in the moment, how to flirt in another language, and how to appreciate someone’s presence without worrying about the future. But it also meant that any real commitment fell off the table until I was more grounded, until I was back “home.”

My friends and I roaming the streets of Florence, circa fall semester 2023.

It wasn’t until junior year that I went on what I would consider my first real date, right before I left for London, of course. (I seem to have a habit of falling into things right before I leave.) The idea of the date scared me more than I care to admit. Not because of the person, but because it was set up through Hinge, which comes with its own psychological rollercoaster. Online dating is, frankly, horrendous for forming genuine connections. It can work, but most of the time, it’s a quick spark of banter, a few days of chatting, then a ghosting from one side or the other. Tinder? Mostly hookups. Bumble? Well… it’s Bumble.

But Hinge—Hinge had potential, at least in theory. And that first date was sweet and chill and surprisingly easy. It helped set a gentle precedent: dating didn’t have to be a minefield. To this day, first dates still make me sick with stress and nerves. I overthink my outfit, my voice, and whether my smile looks right. But once I’m there, it’s rarely as bad as I imagine.

That being said, I have had bad dates. I’ve had awkward silences and forced affection. But I’ve also had wonderful ones, fun, flirty, or even completely platonic, where I left with a new friend instead of a crush. That’s the thing about dating in college: it’s unpredictable. If the hit dating show Love Island taught us something surprisingly real: sometimes you’re torn between committing to something good or holding out for something that might be great. There’s no easy answer.

Chris and Huda’s final date, Love Island Season 7.
credit: Ben Symons/Peacock

The best guide, in the end, is your gut.

Don’t commit just because you feel you’re supposed to. Don’t date just to prove you can. And definitely don’t beat yourself up if you haven’t had a “serious” relationship by a certain age. Everyone moves through this process at their own pace, on their own path. Love, however it looks, finds people in different ways and at different times.

That said, you do have to put yourself out there. That’s part of the process. Be open. Be brave. Be willing to laugh about the disasters and appreciate the little moments. But don’t let dating become something that drains you to the point of hopelessness. 

Dating in college should feel like an adventure, not a punishment. A search for connection, for romance, or just for a good story. Whether you’re looking for a life partner or just a dinner date who makes you laugh, remember: this is your timeline, and there’s no wrong way to move through it.

Just breathe, and have fun!

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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 andTikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for ournewsletter 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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Beyond the Noise

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

As much as I love New York City, sometimes I yearn for an escape. I find myself craving being away from the crowded streets and busy roads. Even though New York hums with adventure, I sometimes seek to step outside the noise, to hear birdsong without it being drowned out by someone yelling for a cab or ordering an iced latte. Sometimes, I just need a break. 

Whether you’re feeling homesick, tired, or just need a change of scenery, getting out of  the city for a bit  is perfectly normal. My freshman year was full of excitement, discovery, and growth. But with all of that came the occasional wave of exhaustion. I was used to the slower pace of home, where long drives with friends and late-night music felt like therapy. While I can’t say you can gain easy access to a car in Manhattan and zoom out of the city when things get tough, there are plenty of places nearby to escape to that can fulfill your mood. 

One of my favorite out of city adventures that I went on was upstate New York during my freshman year. I visited one of my best friends at the University of Rochester during my fall semester. I chose October for peak foliage, and the Amtrak ride alone was enough to reset my spirit. Watching yellow, red, and orange leaves blur past my window with Taylor Swift’s Red album in my headphones? Total main character moment.

That weekend was filled with hayrides, apple picking, warm cider, and just enough nostalgia to make me feel like a little kid again. It was exactly the break I didn’t know I needed. Not every escape needs to be far, either. Some of my favorite day trips are just a short train ride away. If you’re craving cozy fall vibes without the long haul, Cold Spring and Sleepy Hollow are perfect for quick getaways before winter hits. 

Apple picking!

If you are looking for an escape during the warmer months of the season, there are also plenty of beaches close by where you can soak up the sun and do all of the daydreaming your heart desires. I love taking weekend trips to the Jersey Shore, where I can find myself getting a good bite to eat and sinking into warm sand as the ocean waves crash in front of me. Long Island is in the other direction, but still has some amazing beaches to visit, as well wooded areas filled with calm walking paths that soothe the mind. For any trip out of the city, my best advice is to plan early so that you can goon these fun adventures without hurting your wallet.  

I used to think needing to leave meant I wasn’t cut out for New York, but I realize now it’s quite the opposite. Understanding your limits, listening to your body and mind, and giving yourself permission to take a breather is what allows you to actually enjoy the city when you return. 

So don’t feel guilty if you need to step away. Take the trip. The city isn’t going anywhere. Your MetroCard will still work, the bagels will still taste like home, and the lights will still be twinkling when you return.

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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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Move Your Body, Clear Your Mind

Thursday, July 17th, 2025

In a city that never stops moving, sometimes the best thing you can do is move right along with it. But I’ve learned that movement in New York isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about finding motion that grounds you. Whether you’re sweating through a fun fitness class, getting lost in a run along the water, or hiking in one of the city’s hidden natural oases, movement can be your anchor. It is a way to reset, refocus, and feel connected to both the city and yourself.

When I first moved to NYC, I was balancing a lot of factors. I was trying to navigate living in a big city, making friends, and managing all of my classes. When it all felt too overwhelming, I found that moving my body helped me take a step back and tackle whatever was stressing me out with a more focused mindset. My personal favorite way to move my body is running along the East River. There’s something about that stretch of waterfront that makes the entire city feel like it’s holding its breath. The path, which runs alongside FDR Drive, offers stunning views of the skyline, bridges, and water. Mornings are my favorite because there’s a calm in the air that feels rare for Manhattan. The sound of sneakers hitting pavement, the sight of the sunrise glinting off the water, and the cool breeze off the river all work together to make the world feel manageable again. Even on my most chaotic days, that run gives me the reset I need.

If you prefer a slower pace, a walk along the river is just as healing. I like to plug in a calming playlist, or sometimes nothing at all, and just take in the view. I pass dog walkers, couples, and other solo walkers who all seem to be doing the same thing: finding space in a city where space is hard to come by.

Another gem in the city is a trail called “The Ramble” in Central Park. Tucked away from the main loops and touristy areas, “The Ramble” feels like a secret garden. It’s filled with winding dirt paths, rocky steps, and trees that arch overhead like a protective canopy. You’ll often hear birds before you hear cars, which in Manhattan is saying something. I like to go there when I need to unplug completely. It’s one of the few places where I can trick myself into thinking I’m on a real hike, not surrounded by skyscrapers that are just a few blocks away. Last time I went, I even saw three baby raccoons walk in front of me as I journaled on a rock!

Here is a calming view you can get when hiking “The Ramble.”

If you are someone that prefers a more structured way to move, then fitness classes might be right up your alley. NYC offers a huge variety of workout classes ranging from spin classes to boxing and even trampoline cardio. You can also find communities in run groups or intramural sports throughout the city. If you want something really cute and healing, there is also puppy yoga. Yes, you heard me! You can do downward dog while an actual puppy lies next to you! The best part is that many of these classes offer student discounts as well! 

In New York, movement is everywhere; you just have to choose which rhythm feels right for you. Let the city’s energy inspire you, but don’t forget to make it your own. When you discover a movement that soothes your mind, the city begins to feel less overwhelming and more like home.

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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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Balance and Time: Finding Organization Within the Clutter of College

Wednesday, July 16th, 2025

Time is a skill and an element of my life that helps me find structure and organization. Throughout my two years at college so far, I have struggled in my relationship with time. I have shown up late to classes, I have missed out on meals, fallen asleep with my laundry in the public dryer all night long and made many other mistakes when it comes to managing my time.

My internal clock has always been very slow, most events in my life tend to crawl. This is normally a good thing, however. It helps me gain a deeper appreciation for the meaningful experiences in my life because they last so much longer for me, it helps me stay in the moment. Coming into college with my brain working this way, I struggled a lot. College days are very busy. I had my rudimentary necessities, eating, working and sleeping, but even these normalities were infringed upon as I struggled to find the time. A large portion of my day would be dedicated to making it to class, listening to a lecture, participating in a discussion and then studying as best I could to stay on top of my classes. I had to fit everything else in between. This was the difficult part of my college experience because sometimes I hated my classes or sometimes I was far too tired to care about what my teacher was talking about for three hours straight on a Monday morning. I did my best to stay awake, to pay attention, to dedicate time towards my academics, but I often found this hard because my time in academics made it hard for me to focus on the rest of my life. College felt like it was my sole purpose, and while, yes, it was one of my priorities, it began to consume my life and my precious time. 

Getting food at a local spot downtown with a friend.

I found a solution, however, to preserving and protecting my precious time. I adopted a skill: balance, one of the most important skills to combine with time. Focusing so much of my life, energy and time on college had created this rigidity within me, I had become so used to routine and schedule that I had forgotten to share my time and divide it into my other needs. I needed to see my friends, I needed to draw and read, I needed to go for walks and run, but college was crushing the weight scale of time that existed within my head. The balance of time that I found was not an instantaneous solution, nor do I think I have perfected it even now, but the weight scale now feels far closer to stability. I did my best to break free of routine. Instead of heading directly to the library after class to study, I went over to my friend’s dorm and watched a scary movie. Instead of mulling over a confusing assignment I went for a walk downtown with my suitemate and bought pizza. I found ways to fit in the other important things that my brain had been desperately missing.

Finding time for the important things can feel impossible when faced with the pressure to succeed, to get the best possible grades as possible so you can be successful in the real world. This success is in no way possible, however, if you don’t make time for yourself. It can be easy to be consumed and swallowed up by the challenges that college throws at you and it takes a lot of strength to admit that you need a break, but everyone’s time is precious and it is important that you get to spend it your way.   

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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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Dreamland Ch. 5: Worldbuilding at 2am, breakfast at noon

Wednesday, July 9th, 2025

There is one thing that any artist understands: the elusive “zone.” The runner’s high of writing. Your brain, your heart, and your fingers forming a holy trinity. The story unfolding on its own. It’s a constant chase, finding the zone. It escapes you, but you don’t escape it. Some people melt into it, some dissolve completely, while some throw pebbles at it until it remembers that you’re still there waiting. I covet this feeling all the time, even when I’m working on schoolwork or writing an email. Hell, even this chapter. I feel the healthiest when I’m at my most productive, and vice versa, but per the last chapter, striking this productive balance is a battle of its own.

Something that’s been fairly difficult to admit to myself is that in order to be productive, I need structure. I’ve always been an imaginative kid at heart, and I’ve always aspired to have free time and flexibility. In my mind, this gives me the space where I have the most control, where I decide what I do, and I determine my own capabilities and limits. Instead, I retreat into a less productive, less ambitious, less willing version of myself, when I am normally very eager to be doing something. Idleness is one of the worst feelings to me, and yet I seek it out so frequently.

If I don’t have something to do in the morning, I don’t get out of bed before 11 AM. Without classes and deadlines, I spend the hours until lunch on my phone or computer doing nothing. In the evening, I might push myself to write half a chapter or work on something for my internship, or at least talk to my friends in a way that feels emotionally or intellectually stimulating. But ultimately, the day ends the way it did the night before, with me thinking to myself, “Tomorrow will be better. Tomorrow won’t be a waste.”

In my most introspective moments, I wonder if this regression happens because it’s safer than trying and failing. Safer than realizing I’m not as good as I’ve been made to believe. Safer than confronting my shortcomings. Or I might just be lazy — until, of course, I know that something is expected of me by someone else, and I have a time limit. 

None of us need a Hallmark card to know that the only real failure is a lack of trying. 

Still, the pressure of a blinking cursor near equals the potential. I am just as anxious as I am excited. Every day, I wish I could airlift the beautiful images I’ve conjured in my head and put them to paper without having to lift a finger. I can imagine all I want, and I do, but if I want to write, I have to just write. 

In my experience, the strategy is to be willing to write without the zone. If you’re a student, or you work, or you just have many obligations, you likely will have long stretches of time only once or twice a week. Which is why you can’t be afraid to just spend five to ten minutes writing uninspired paragraphs of nonsense that you can return to when you’ve actually found the zone, gawk at them because they’re so bad, and edit.

This is a tough habit to contend with because it makes my fear of mediocrity a self-fulfilling prophecy. I delay writing because I don’t want to be bad at it, and every time I try writing, it’s bad — and I just have to accept that. Consider it a sort of exposure therapy, and remember that by writing something, literally anything, you’ve already evaded failure. 

As you do this, structure will follow. You’ll find the times of day that feel the most motivating. You’ll improve as a writer, little by little, until you’re confident enough in writing past those ten minutes, maybe even reaching a whole hour. You’ll realize you have a couple boring, unoccupied hours here and there. Once you develop a willingness to start writing, set timers and do nothing but write until the alarm goes off. You might not begin in a zone, but you’ll induce one and stay there for longer than you expect.

The idea here is to stop crucifying yourself for not meeting your expectations of productivity or quality but to also stop enabling your lazy behavior. Not everyone can naturally fall into an ideal routine, especially in a world with so many things begging for your attention. 

Your attention is so much more valuable than you think. Direct it to fulfilling, meaningful activities. If you think you aren’t good enough, prove yourself wrong. 

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By Oshmi Ghosh

Oshmi Ghosh is a rising junior at NYU’s College of Arts and Sciences, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English with minors in Creative Writing, History, and Entertainment Business. You can usually find her appreciating the simple things in life: tea with milk and sugar, a good book, and/or intensely competitive board games.

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. 5: The Third Space

Wednesday, July 9th, 2025

College campuses are inherently conducive to connection and community. From frat life to campus food halls, cafes, and sprawling green lawns for picnics and post-class hangouts, they often serve as self-contained bubbles of social activity. It’s easy to forget the vastness of the world beyond your college gates when everything you need seems to exist within them. NYU, however, famously brags that though it doesn’t offer the traditional campus experience, “the city is your campus.” And honestly, that mostly checks out.

During the fall and spring, from West Houston to Union Square, NYU students are everywhere. We flood the cafes, comb through the thrift shops, linger at halal trucks, and turn every bookstore into a study nook. In a borough of nearly 1.7 million people, I still manage to run into my campus crush, my favorite professor, and my academic nemesis all in the same week.

But one of the most underrated perks of going to a school “without walls” is the natural encouragement to explore third spaces—places that exist outside of school and home. These are the environments where you start to find yourself beyond your student identity.

A third space is defined as any social setting outside of one’s home (the first space) and work or school (the second space). It’s where people gather, interact, and slowly, sometimes unintentionally, build community. Coffee shops, libraries, parks, gyms, and even online spaces can all function this way. For me, third spaces have been the key to experiencing connections that extend beyond the classroom.

Photo of La Colombe off Lafayette taken from bar.

One of my favorite third spaces is La Colombe—the location on Lafayette Street, specifically. It’s a chain, sure, but there’s something about this particular cafe that drew me in. It started out as my go-to alternative when Bobst Library started to feel a little too stuffy. I liked the light, the energy, and the cold brew. But then one of the baristas told me I looked like Ariel from The Little Mermaid, and I was hooked (pun very much intended).

From that point on, I became a regular—not just because of the caffeine, but because of the people. I got to know the baristas by name, and before long, they became my first real friends outside the world of NYU. It started to feel like its own little ecosystem.

Midterms season rolled around, and I needed an outlet. I’ve always used baking to decompress, but my roommates could only eat so many brown butter cookies and Basque cheesecakes. So, I brought a few treats to the cafe. The reaction was immediate and warm: ”thank-you” free coffee, and a new kind of reciprocity. I started sitting at the bar whenever I came in. Between rushes, baristas would pause to chat. Sometimes my new friends would slide into the seat next to me on their break and catch up for a bit. Eventually, they invited me to their Friendsgiving.

The infamous barista Friendsgiving.

There’s something grounding about having relationships with people who aren’t students, people who are still in their twenties and thirties but a few steps ahead in life. They aren’t worried about club e-board elections or what their thesis is going to be about. They remind me that life keeps unfolding beyond the classroom and that identity can exist outside of resume lines.

Third spaces give us the rare chance to be seen as full people—not just as students or workers, but as regulars, neighbors, and community members. In a city as overwhelming as New York, it’s easy to feel anonymous. But in a third space, you can start to feel known.

Take 10% off your next latte or pastry when you present your student ID at compilation coffee roasters in Brooklyn!

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 andTikTok @CampusClipper, and sign up for ournewsletter 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 Quiet in the Loudest City

Tuesday, July 8th, 2025

There’s a reason they call New York City “The City That Never Sleeps.” New York is constantly alive with people swarming the streets, taxis on the road, subways below, and bright lights above that are always flashing, illuminating the city around you. NYU might feel like a little pocket of community, but even then the sidewalks get crowded as kids are rushing to class or the library. Sometimes New York feels like a giant ocean, and you are just a tiny fish trying to swim upstream. However, despite the never-ending chaos, there is a way to find yourself relaxing, floating among the waves of the bustling city. 

If you go searching for it, you will find that there are plenty of hidden spots in the city that can provide you with a sense of peace and relaxation. One of my favorite cozy spots to unwind is The Book Club in the East Village. It is a quaint little bookstore that serves coffee and tea during the day, but once the sun sets, it turns into a wine bar. It is the perfect place to grab a sweet beverage and chat with friends or cozy up in a leather chair, immersing yourself in a good read. They offer a wide selection of books, from children’s titles to the latest adult fiction. The dim lighting and textured carpets make the place feel incredibly homey every time you visit. And when the sun is shining, there is even a courtyard in the back with tables and chairs, allowing you to read under the trees as the sun shines on you from above. And when the sun sets, fairy lights twinkle above you as you read.

The Book Club!

If books aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other spots that can offer comfort when the city feels overwhelming. If you find that you are craving a small escape from the city life itself, I recommend visiting your local community garden. There are a ton throughout the city, but my favorites are located in the East Village as well. Here you can find yourself surrounded by plants, fruit, and flowers being grown by those in the neighborhood. The community garden on Ave B even has a new pond filled with turtles and koi fish. There is even a stage for local concerts and gatherings within the community. Spending time here brings me so much joy because you can find yourself in a little bubble of quiet and nature, letting you temporarily forget that you are in the Big Apple. 

It took me a while to realize that finding peace in New York doesn’t always mean escaping it entirely. Sometimes, it’s about discovering the pockets of stillness hidden in plain sight. Whether it’s a cozy bookstore or a community garden, the city has these unexpected sanctuaries—you just have to know where to look.

Finding quiet in the loudest city isn’t always easy, but it’s possible—and necessary. Your version of quiet might look different than mine, and that’s the beauty of this place. Whether you’re unwinding with a book or tending to plants in a garden, New York will meet you where you are.

So let the city roar, let the lights flash, and the taxis honk. Somewhere among it all, you’ll find your quiet—and when you do, it’ll feel like magic.

Using this coupon for a free topping at my personal favorite ice cream shop in the city!

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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Making Time for Health

Tuesday, July 8th, 2025

It is always important to stay healthy and take care of oneself. College can act as an obstacle with its overwhelming nature, impeding students from eating good food, exercising and just overall looking out for number one. Time is an essential element to manage if one wants to stay healthy amidst the challenges that college throws at students.

I never imagined that I would have a hard time thinking for myself or learning to act like an adult. For so much of my life I had taken my parent’s contributions for granted and now that I was at school I had to fend for myself, learn how to take responsibility within my own, individual life. Many of the leisures that I enjoyed at home, like a planned dinner, no longer existed at college. Now I had to trudge to the college cafeteria in the mornings if I wanted a decent breakfast before I headed off to my 9 AM classes. This was one of the hardest bits to manage on my own. It was hard to motivate myself to go to the cafeteria in the morning when I hated practically all of the food options that they served, their selection was largely unhealthy. To remedy this I later learned that I would need to buy my own food from the grocery stores downtown, on occasion, if I wanted to start my day off with a somewhat healthy meal.

Getting some food at the cafeteria with friends.

It was a challenging feat for me, however, because I often got very poor sleep on account of procrastinating most of my homework until the night before. This usually resulted in late nights, bad sleep and unsatisfying mornings after. I ended up procrastinating a lot of my work because I often struggled with managing my responsibilities and balancing my priorities. I would do my best to dedicate time during the day to study outside of class, but I often got hungry and had to abandon my studies to make sure I was eating enough food throughout my day. Once night came around, I was usually exhausted, but I still had work to do and I was normally out of time to get it done. This is still a skill I have not perfected, but I have a plan for next year. By combining separate tasks, like eating and studying, I would be able to multitask and meet various priorities at once instead of feeling overwhelmed and dragging them separately out across the day. 

Exercise was another priority that I struggled to get in the habit of. I have a large passion for running and going for walks and when I am home I generally have a friend to keep me responsible. One of my highschool friends and I will run almost every morning during the summer, keeping each other in check. Our consistency was largely rooted in our friendship, we made sure to text each other each morning and leave the house at a regular time (normally 9 AM). At college, however, I didn’t have my friend. I had plenty of other friends, but most of my friends are swimmers and many of them were not interested in running, so I learned that I (like with eating) had to fend for myself. It was practically impossible to motivate myself to run after my horrendous sleep, but I found time later in the day, maybe during a block of time in between classes, to get out and run on one of the hiking trails across from campus. 

A lot of our needs are hard to truly recognize when we accept them as they are when we live with our parents. Our parents provide for us, put food on the table, teach us how to manage our schoolwork and overall how to be healthy. Once we step foot in college, however, it is an entirely different playing field. We have to adapt and find structure in the chaos and uncertainty, finding time to take care of ourselves as best we can.      

Discounted diner food for students with valid IDs.

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 home in your “far-from-home”

Monday, July 7th, 2025

There are so many perks about going to school that’s not in state, or for some, even in their home country. You get to meet new people, branch out from places that you are familiar with, try new foods from all over the world, and have a huge level of independence given the fact that you are farther from home. 

But at the end of the day… We are all human. We crave familiarity. We crave feelings of security, of belonging.

Of home. 

Coming from North Carolina to NYC felt easier than I know the shift has been for others. Despite living in NC, my heart belongs to Argentina: the home of Futbol (3x world cup winners!), Messi and Maradona, Mate (our signature drink), and dulce de leche. Having my roots there has allowed me not only to be bilingual, but also have experience with cities such as Buenos Aires or La Plata that are very similar in many ways to NYC (just without the European charm that cities like Paris and Buenos Aires share.)

La Casa Rosada (the pink house) in Buenos Aires. Our version of The White House

I travel there often to visit family, as everyone besides my immediate family resides there. I consider it such a privilege to be able to have that culture ingrained in me, and I take my experiences, knowledge, and customs everywhere I go. From eating dinner much later than Americans, to celebrating Christmas the night of the 24th instead of the 25th, these are traditions and ways of living that nothing, not even having lived in the United States most of my life, can ever change.

Messi art I saw on my first day in NYC last August

You may be thinking: “Avril, you don’t seem like you are complaining about NYC. So why write about missing home?” The reason for that is because of the diversity and range of foods, community, and culture that I can find from my home country, in the backyard of my college experience. In North Carolina, it is hard to find Argentine products, as it’s much more niche and the population of Argentines in the state isn’t as large when compared to Colombians, Mexicans, or other nationalities. In NYC, I have a much wider net of places I can try, which was just another reason behind many others why I decided to leave NC for NYC.

I have been to Queens, around Manhattan, and even just around Greenwich Village  to find people and foods that bring me back to my beloved country, even if I may be 8,521 km (5295 miles) away. One of my favorite foods from Argentina has to be the empanada.

Empanadas I had at Sabor Argentino in West Village

Similar to other Latin countries, empanadas consist of a dough (for us, flour-based but some other countries use maiz or other things to make the dough) stuffed with meat, cheese, vegetables, ham, or even fish (mainly for Easter). Argentine empanadas are very unique as they are often flaky, and our fillings consists of ground beef with olives, hard boiled egg, spices, and sometimes even raisins, sweated onions with cheese, caprese, spinach with bechamel sauce, and ham and cheese – among other varieties depending on the province. 

While exploring the city, I found one place in the Upper East Side called Criollas. Using organic, local ingredients, this small shop makes one of the best Argentine-style empanadas I have had in the city, and immediately takes me back home. The ones they sell at this shop are baked, and while we do have fried empanadas, the baked ones remind me of those my mom would make me growing up. They are so comforting on a cold day, and whenever I go I enjoy speaking Spanish to the employees.

Alfajores I made for Valentines Day in 2022

They also sell a small variety of sweets, such as alfajores de maicena and medialunas. Alfajores de maicena are these macaron style cookies made out cornstarch (maicena) and layered between a slab of dulce de leche (a thicker, much richer caramel spread) and dipped in coconut shreds around the rim of the entire sandwich cookie.

Medialunas I made in December

Medialunas are a cross between a brioche and a croissant, and can come either sweet or salty. The sweet ones have an almibar (or simple syrup) covering them, making them slightly sticky and irresistable. They also have versions with dulce de leche and powdered sugar which are so yummy.

They recently opened a location near the NYU Campus (right near the exit at West 4th Street), and with the student discount they have I went a LOT at the end of last semester.

Another place I found that serves some of the best Argentine food is around 50th Street at a place called Baires Grill. It is gorgeous inside, with dim lighting, chandeliers, and very fine decor. Everyone I have talked to at the place is from Argentina, and it’s amazing being able to sit down and talk to someone in your native language. I have been 3 times, and something I cannot stop ordering is their vacio, or steak. Brought to you with chimichurri (a parsley, onion, red pepper, and olive oil sauce for meats) and salsa criolla (red peppers and onions in olive oil), paired with the meat it tastes phenomenal and has a flavor that makes me want to come back for more.

A variety of Argentine dishes, including vacio, ensalada rusa, and milanesa napolitana

I always get it with the ensalada rusa, or russian potato salad, which is a common side dish in Argentina composed of potatoes, peas, hard boiled eggs, carrots, and mayo, which they also prepare exactly like home. You cannot leave this place without trying one of their desserts, my favorite being the flan with whipped cream and dulce de leche, which is the way we do it in Argentina, and it tastes just like the brasseries that I go to when I am back there.

Baires Grill in 50th Street

I spent my birthday dinner there back in May, and I went with one of my closest friends who is also Argentinian that I met at NYU. We bonded very closely over our home country, and I am so glad that I was able to find someone to share things about myself to someone who would understand, and speaking to someone in Spanish while being far from family allows me to feel relaxed and definitely makes the city feel comfortable.

Even if you call NYC home already, or if you come from the other side of the country, or even world – try to find what feels familiar. Find that link, that tether that keeps you grounded and makes the city feel exciting. For me, that was being able to meet people from home, which I usually do not have the chance to do when in NC, and being able to have restaurants that serve home cooked foods from Argentina, which I also don’t have in NC, nor my mom closeby to prepare. 

My friends and I in Times Square on my birthday night after eating at Baires Grill.

You are bound to feel homesick even in a city as fun and exciting as New York. But it’s how you manage your time, the people you find to be your closest friends, and the places  you keep going back to because of the people, the food, or the atmosphere, that will make this place be your second home. The city is your oyster after all.

Interested in empanadas? Love to cook? Get 10% off on quality ingredients to make your own at Lifethyme Market in the West Village every Thursday and Saturday with your student ID!



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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