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

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.

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.

“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.”

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 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.”

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.

“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.”

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.

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!

Aidann Gia, Pace University

When my friends and family are unable to find me in my apartment or on-campus, there is a common third place I will tend to frequent in between my LinkedIn meetings or club events: coffee shops. There is nothing more necessary for a college student than an open, safe space to study and send emails with easy access to caffeine. Though, this can be pricier when students need to cafe crawl. I recently ventured to Red Beard Coffee with my friend Paolo for an affordable brunch and experience. We were pleasantly surprised with our time there.

Friends and families took up the seats within the cafe, rambling about inane drama from their high school days or the latest gossip about their sister’s brother in law. It was a social cafe, where individuals joined a collective conversation while consuming Turkish delights and assorted pastries. 

Paolo and I started with drinks: an oat milk mocha and a Pineapple Paradise juice for him, then an iced oat milk hazelnut latte and a Green Antioxidant Fusion juice for me. The freshly blended beverages were made in-house and bottled for customers when they needed a refreshing sip. My latte was far from bitter, and semi-sweet, perfected by its nutty undertones and espresso kick. The mocha was foamy, with simple latte art and subtle notes of chocolate. The contrast of the juices were evident, as the natural-tasting flavors of kale, spinach, celery, and lemon seeped through. The pineapple, cucumber, apple blend was light in sweetness and washed down the heavy flavors of our meal. 

Cihan Cakmak, the kind bearded man from behind the counter, offered us Turkish delights and Turkish coffee. Him and his colleague were both from the beautiful country of unique pottery and inexplicable landscapes. He served the dessert and steaming espresso on petite ceramic platters. The bitterness of the Turkish coffee was something we eventually came to like, though it may be an acquired taste. We broke up our sips with bites of the delight for a pinch of sweetness. Paolo finished his quickly, clearly in favor of the sugary treat.

We shared an avocado toast, adorned with sprinkled pomegranate seeds and topped with fresh greens and halved cherry tomatoes. I appreciated the avocado’s mashed and spread form, rather than left in sliced chunks that would make it a rather difficult experience for the consumer. Our main courses for the early afternoon were served on pastel-pink dishes: a stunning lox and cream cheese bagel and a prosciutto-arugula sandwich. The crunchiness of the bread with fresh mozzarella, cornichons, olive oil, and delicately sweet balsamic glaze harmonized in a singular bite. It was an utterly delicious prosciutto sandwich. Paolo claimed his lox resembled sushi-grade salmon, with the dill pairing nicely. The onions and capers emphasized the other tangy and citrusy flavors. Underneath, a bed of plain cream cheese served as a smooth base to balance the eccentric tastes within the doughy, chewy bagel. 

With the buttons on my jeans barely hanging on, we ordered several desserts. Placed on speckled platters were a slice of torta caprese bianca cake, a pecan bar, and a classic layered brookie. The lemon-flavored bianca cake, a gluten free menu item, was tart and dense. The pecan bar oozed with caramel and broke easily, necessary when sharing with friends. The brookie was more of a tougher brownie with a thin layer of cookie dough resting on top. None of the desserts were sickly sweet and quite enjoyable with our coffees. 

For students looking for a chatty, lively atmosphere with affordable brunch options and a wide selection of beverages to quench their thirst, Red Beard Coffee is a smart choice. Partnered with Campus Clipper, the establishment is offering 20% off to students who show their valid ID and the coupon below. 

Aidann Gia Bacolodan, Pace University

Sans woolen mittens or insulated coat pockets, my hands have fallen still, turning them into blossoms of crimson and patches of dry skin cracking in between my fingers. Winter is a rough time for students, especially in New York City, when most of us walk between stations and are without the comforts of automatic heated car seats. I escaped the cold and my naked hands were able to find a warm safe haven, taking hiatus from the wintry weather. One beautiful and quaint restaurant welcomed me for an evening to enjoy the warmth of a flavorful broth and my personal comfort food, ramen. 

Kamisama Ramen, located in the East Village of Manhattan, seats its hungry guests at their dark, wooden tables, just a few feet away from their inviting bar stocked with drinks from various cultures. The lighting is dim and intimate, setting the mood for dinner with your close friends, loved ones, or a partner. The bustling of puffer jackets and windbreakers eventually subside and my friend Emmely sits with me at a table for two. We are greeted by a cheerful waiter, while we are slightly distressed with pale faces and flushed cheeks. Ramen was just what we needed and the environment perfectly set the mood.

“The restaurant had a warm, cozy atmosphere with a small, intimate setting,” Emmely reviewed. “Everything felt understated in the best way. Nothing over the top, just simple and inviting.”

The appetizer section ran wide, from tako wasabi to agedashi tofu, catering to customers with varying pallets. We selected the green ocean seaweed salad with sesame oil. This was followed by one of my favorites, takoyaki, which are deep fried pancake balls stuffed with octopus. They were buttery and heavy with batter, topped with salty bonito flakes. We chose gyoza, their juicy pan-fried homemade pork dumplings with its flavors heightened by hints of ginger and a green garnishing. These were toasted golden brown at the bottoms, while remaining tender and chewy throughout. To finish off, we ordered karaage perfected with spicy mayo sauce. These deep fried fatty chicken thighs were piping hot, fairly crispy, and easy to scarf down.

The appetizer portions filled the both of us, leaving just enough space for some ramen. The portions of spicy jiro ramen and shoyu jiro ramen were heavy and hearty. Emmely devoured the heaping serving of shoyu before I could have a sip of her soup. I ordered the spicy jiro, a rewarding bowl of tangy flavor and liquid gold after walking in the brisk metropolis. The noodles were soft, light, and oily. I had no complaints. Unable to finish the entire meal, I asked the waiter for take-home packaging and devoured it the next day for lunch. It was just as good as the day before.

Emmely and I were far from hungry by the end of our evening together. We lingered after the check was given, sitting in trepidation of the food coma that would come if we were to stand too quickly and walk on bursting stomachs. The staff were kind and attentive during the entirety of our meal. I truly appreciated the sizes of their appetizers and Emmely favored their shoyu ramen. Once ready to bear the cold again, we grabbed our jackets from the coat hanger, standing just next to a large space heater.

”I feel like this is the perfect place for those busy weekdays when you need a quick, casual hangout with friends,” Emmely concluded.

My friends and I will be returning to Kamisama Ramen. It’s not a far commute from school and has a wide variety for those who love Japanese cuisine. During the late January nights, when students are in dire need of a warm pick-me-up, it is an easy recommendation to stop by Kamisama for dinner. They are offering students a 10% discount when students show their valid college ID and the coupon attached below!