Chapter 7: Facing My Fears

July 24th, 2025

Driving always felt terrifying to me. It wasn’t just about the mechanics of it. It was the idea of being in control, or of being responsible for something that could go wrong so fast. That fear kept me from getting my permit, even though my parents had been pushing me to do it ever since college decisions came out.

To be honest, I had planned to take the permit test last summer before college started. But every time I thought about it, anxiety took over. Instead of admitting that, I snapped back at my parents with, “I’ll get it when I need to.“ Deep down, I knew I was just scared.

But this summer was different. I entered this summer with the thought of being a different version of myself. Part of it was because I was fed up with myself. I was fed up with the constant failures I have been witnessing. 

In college, I’m always the one catching up. The one figuring things out while others seem to be fine. And at home, I could feel the weight my parents were carrying—stress from work, bills, responsibilities piling up. They never said the words, but I sensed it through their words. And on top of it all, they were worried about me. Not out of disappointment, but concern. They saw me struggling in college, academically, socially, and emotionally, and they didn’t know how to help. And I didn’t know how to fix all this. 

This summer, I had made all these plans: To run every day. To eat healthy. To get a job. To become that version of myself I’ve always pictured—strong, disciplined, confident. But one by one, I failed to follow through. I let myself down. Again and again.

So I decided that I needed to take one step. Just one. And that step was getting my permit. I wanted to push myself out there and get that license. I know it’s just a test, but to me, it was like finding a different kind of confidence. I took my first driving lesson on June 18th. I remember sitting in the car, gripping the steering wheel like it was about to run away from me.

Fast forward to lesson ten—my hands don’t shake anymore. My turns are smoother. I don’t have to overthink where to look or when to signal. In parallel parking and U-turns, I don’t hold my breath anymore. 

The night before the test, I couldn’t sleep. I kept imagining every possible way I could mess up. At the testing site, my hands felt cold, my stomach twisted into knots. I kept telling myself to stay calm, but inside, fear was bubbling up. My instructor kept saying, “It’s okay if you don’t pass the first time; most people don’t.” And he is right. But I didn’t have it in me to fail. Not this test. 

This wasn’t just about getting a license. It was about proving to myself that I could face my fears, that I could do something hard and come out on the other side. 

Guess what? I passed. Yes, on my first try. 

But I know this isn’t a magic fix for everything. It won’t suddenly solve all my problems or answer every question I have about college, my future, or who I want to be. What it did do, though, was to give me confidence. Remind me that progress doesn’t have to be perfect or immediate. Sometimes, it’s just about showing up, trying anyway, and trusting in yourself. 

That’s the lesson I’m holding onto from this summer is the courage to start, even when I am scared.

Driving always felt terrifying to me. It wasn’t just about the mechanics of it. It was the idea of being in control, or of being responsible for something that could go wrong so fast. That fear kept me from getting my permit, even though my parents had been pushing me to do it ever since college decisions came out.

To be honest, I had planned to take the permit test last summer before college started. But every time I thought about it, anxiety took over. Instead of admitting that, I snapped back at my parents with, “I’ll get it when I need to.“ Deep down, I knew I was just scared.

But this summer was different. I entered this summer with the thought of being a different version of myself. Part of it was because I was fed up with myself. I was fed up with the constant failures I have been witnessing. 

In college, I’m always the one catching up. The one figuring things out while others seem to be fine. And at home, I could feel the weight my parents were carrying—stress from work, bills, responsibilities piling up. They never said the words, but I sensed it through their words. And on top of it all, they were worried about me. Not out of disappointment, but concern. They saw me struggling in college, academically, socially, and emotionally, and they didn’t know how to help. And I didn’t know how to fix all this. 

This summer, I had made all these plans: To run every day. To eat healthy. To get a job. To become that version of myself I’ve always pictured—strong, disciplined, confident. But one by one, I failed to follow through. I let myself down. Again and again.

So I decided that I needed to take one step. Just one. And that step was getting my permit. I wanted to push myself out there and get that license. I know it’s just a test, but to me, it was like finding a different kind of confidence. I took my first driving lesson on June 18th. I remember sitting in the car, gripping the steering wheel like it was about to run away from me.

Fast forward to lesson ten—my hands don’t shake anymore. My turns are smoother. I don’t have to overthink where to look or when to signal. In parallel parking and U-turns, I don’t hold my breath anymore. 

The night before the test, I couldn’t sleep. I kept imagining every possible way I could mess up. At the testing site, my hands felt cold, my stomach twisted into knots. I kept telling myself to stay calm, but inside, fear was bubbling up. My instructor kept saying, “It’s okay if you don’t pass the first time; most people don’t.” And he is right. But I didn’t have it in me to fail. Not this test. 

This wasn’t just about getting a license. It was about proving to myself that I could face my fears, that I could do something hard and come out on the other side. 

Guess what? I passed. Yes, on my first try. 

But I know this isn’t a magic fix for everything. It won’t suddenly solve all my problems or answer every question I have about college, my future, or who I want to be. What it did do, though, was to give me confidence. Remind me that progress doesn’t have to be perfect or immediate. Sometimes, it’s just about showing up, trying anyway, and trusting in yourself. 

That’s the lesson I’m holding onto from this summer is the courage to start, even when I am scared.

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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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Dreamland Ch. 7: Why you should send that cold email

July 24th, 2025

You’ve surely been told that the worst thing someone can say is “no.” It’s true, and useful, but I think it’s a bit unempathetic. No one ever tells you how awful it can be to actually hear “no” then have to move on knowing there’s nothing you can do — and no real reason to feel resentful of that response. As a teen writer, I heard “no” quite a bit, from publishers who didn’t work with minors, agents who weren’t interested in representing me because they “didn’t fall in love with the idea,” and other professionals who passed on the work for some reason or another. I just had to accept this and move on, every single time.

Like I’ve said, I’m self-published. Not traditionally published. It’s definitely a hurdle, as there is no reason for anyone to go looking for my books, and I’m still learning how to market myself. But for any young authors out there looking for accessible ways to put your work out there, I definitely still recommend self-publishing. Try out other things, but this is always an option, not just a last resort.

I started off looking for professionals on Reedsy, where you can hire freelance editors, illustrators, etc. to work on your project remotely. I found an editor based in London who provided a more seasoned perspective on my work, even for a book targeted to teens. Then I found an illustrator, but I actually should have found a formatter first as I needed to send the fully formatted manuscript to the illustrator so that she could size the cover and deliver the proper files. This was a mistake I made, and then I did it right for the second book.

The hub for writers and professionals. Image Credit: https://www.authormedia.com/how-to-use-reedsy-to-independently-publish-your-book/

However, the second book had a completely different issue. Due to extenuating circumstances, my illustrator had to drop out of the project. This was mainly an issue because she took months to communicate this to me and didn’t help me find someone else, meaning I couldn’t rely on Reedsy anymore as I needed a quicker response and turnover time.

So I went hunting. I found websites and portfolios that were similar enough to the previous illustrator’s style that they could adapt. I found covers that those artists created that I liked, that would suit the genre of my book. One email I sent didn’t immediately produce a collaboration, but the artist sent profiles of other artists that she thought would be able to work with me. And it was one of those profiles that ended up becoming my illustrator for the second book.

It was a hectic and scary process. Things fall through, and you always have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I’m so grateful I managed to secure these collaborations each time, and I pray I’m able to keep them for when I’m finished with this third book. 

This whole ordeal reminded me that I’m still responsible for the labor of getting my work out there, since I don’t have a big company investing in my talents to do it for me. If you’re looking to self-publish, send out emails. Find freelancers and professionals that are familiar with young writers and can teach you about the industry. Don’t be afraid to not know everything and everyone immediately. 

Since I had to do all this myself at such a young age, I’m truly an expert at cold emailing. I can’t even tell you how many applications I’ve sent out into the void, how many email threads I’ve followed up on weeks after getting completely ghosted, how many reporters and publications I’ve contacted as a marketing intern. It can be tiresome and tedious, but you never know what lifelong connection you’ll forge from a simple email.

Self-ownership is both terrifying and freeing. It’s wonderful to have control over my work and authority over the people I work with, but it creates so much more labor for me, a full-time student, and also has little to no guarantee of profit. Amazon, which hosts Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), takes far more royalties than I do. It’s quite irritating. If you self-publish, be aware that it does more to build your portfolio than build your bank account. It’s still valuable, but you should definitely look into different ways you can use your storytelling skills to make a long-term career.

Until then, cherish the liberty of being creative. You are no less an author if you publish online. You’re just taking the necessary steps to put yourself out there. Always aim for the stars, but it’s also always alright to just aim for an email back.

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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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What Are Friends For?

July 24th, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By: Yamilia Ford

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

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

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Niche-ing New York City: Building Your Community

July 21st, 2025
Our suite’s first walk across the Brooklyn Bridge

It was late August, 2023. I was hot, red-faced, dripping with sweat. My heart was racing – from the three trips up and down twenty-three stories or from the debilitating anxiety and uncertainty, I wasn’t sure. There were nine of us, plus a few siblings and too many parents, and we all tried to act cool around each other even though any one of us could have (and later would have) broken down and cried. It was late August when I unknowingly stepped foot into a too-small room inside a too-small suite that would change my life. 

My suitemates were my first community and, two years later, my closest community. We were each others’ therapists before we knew about the Counseling Center, we were each others’ financial advisors before we knew about Career Services, we were each others’ built-in friends before we even knew who we were going to become. It’s surreal to look back on this moment now; I seem to have forgotten the period of time in which we transitioned from roommates to family. Maybe it was when we played We’re Not Really Strangers the first night, or maybe it happened so slowly over our first year that I never noticed the change, but it feels like our community has existed as long as we’ve been alive; it feels like I know each one of them inside and out – and they me.

Me (right), Leah (second to right), and Caroline (second to left)

Two members of this community, Leah Eastwood and Caroline Lattanzio, offer their insight into the necessity of community in finding ourselves and developing our talents. Something I’ve found to be missing in conversations around a certain unifying skill, trait, or opinion is the importance interacting with a diverse range of talents. Yes, as an English major, I thrive in the community I’ve built within the English department. They commiserate with me on the struggles of research as much as they push me to dive deeper, to follow the rabbit hole. But if I was surrounded by this throughout my university experience – if Leah was only surrounded by Film majors or Caroline by Business majors – I likely would not only grow tired of it, but also fail to learn anything else. From Leah, I have learned nuances of screenwriting and directing I wouldn’t have otherwise. From Caroline, I have gained insight into the inner-workings of the music industry.

Caroline and Leah tend to agree with me. “I moved to New York City from Arkansas to avoid being around the same type of person every day,” Caroline notes. Similarly, Leah is glad that our suite had such a vast range of majors, interests, and talents. Seeing other suites break up because they were all members of the same – very competitive – major was disheartening. When we weren’t all competing with each other it was because we used our knowledge and talents collaboratively to help on a creative final or a research project and, miraculously, they all seemed to fit together perfectly.

The Pforzheimer Honors College at Pace provided us a similar diverse range of people, though who all had one thing in common: drive. Being around passionately motivated people – regardless of your talent or theirs – is necessary to keep going when it gets tough. Our Honors advisors are also a huge help in discovering our niches, assuring us that everyone has something that they’re good at, even if we don’t know it yet. Then, like our suitemates and our major departments, they push us to follow that niche, to try it out if not build a career in it. College is a unique time in which our lives are dedicated to perfecting a craft and to learning from everyone else’s crafts as they master their own. There is support and there is help everywhere around us, and it’s not hard to find if we only look.

However, there may be nothing so unique in this way as attending university in New York City. Leaving our tiny city campus, we find ourselves with exponentially more opportunity and community than we ever could have thought. Everyone you pass on the street is doing something cool, exciting, and necessary. Everyone has important knowledge and advice to impart. We just have to listen.

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By Lauren Male

Lauren is a senior at Pace University majoring in English and Communications, with a minor in Journalism. She is pursuing Pace’s M.S. Publishing program. When she’s not reading, Lauren can be found trying new coffee shops, thrift shopping, and spending all of her money on concert tickets.

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

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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Chapter 6: The Screen Between Me and Myself

July 16th, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By Marzia Seemat

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

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

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Dreamland Ch. 6: The Notes App, and other holy grails

July 16th, 2025

If you’re getting sick of my complaining, you’re in luck — I’m finally going to talk about my actual process of writing. My routine is hardly defined and not in any way a rulebook, but I believe it capitalizes well on my sudden bursts of motivation but also works well with a lack of powerful motivation.

It always starts with a note. The birth of an idea, the concept of a concept, that I scramble to make real with text before it fades away. 

I first conceived my fantasy series when I was in sixth grade.My memory of this time of my life is hazy, so for the purposes of this first step I’m going to use a slightly more recent example. In tenth grade, I did a project on World War I and spent a lot of time researching that era of history. I had also been reading a lot of young adult and teen fantasy, returning to recreational reading for the first time since middle school. Sitting in that overlap for multiple months, much of my imagination branched off from this mindspace, and one night I shot up from my bed in the pitch black, already reaching for my laptop. 

I ended up with an incoherent, garbled mess of ideas listed in my Notes App — the early scraps of a duology set in a fictional world based on 1910s Slavic Europe. The main takeaway here is that inspiration will strike quite randomly, so if you aren’t able to force yourself to find it (just as you might not be able to force herself into “the zone”), do what you can to more naturally find a spark. Engage with the things that you are already interested in. Read books, watch movies, learn new topics and skills. While I was fostering an interest in history, I discovered a wellspring of images and narratives. You might encounter the same phenomenon doing something completely unrelated, like with a niche hobby or even while scrolling on your phone mindlessly. You’re never truly mindless, is what I mean.

After this initial conception, I reconfigure the mess into something more comprehensible: a vague summary, followed by a bulleted outline of story beats, and then a chapter-by-chapter outline. Essentially, break your book down, and then break it down some more. Each book in my current series is split into three parts (you obviously don’t have to do this), which helped me visualize the arc for each part and then sever those arcs into individual chapters. I determine what each arc needs to accomplish, so even if I end up shifting chapters around, I don’t lose focus.

For the story I’m currently working on, the third in the series, the main notes folder currently holds three pages: an outline, a bulleted list of various things to look out for during my rounds of edits, and random notes that include a hastily drawn map and outlines for very specific events in the book. For example — spoiler alert — a prison break. 

My three homepages. Don’t mind the caps lock.

There is also a sub-folder for “potential scenes” that I need to have prematurely written lest I go insane with all the circulating images in my head. Remember, your story may follow a certain chronology, but you don’t have to. Even in my drafting, if I don’t have the motivation for a certain scene or I want to skip a little ahead, I’ll type in something like “[more dialogue]” or “[walking along the road]” to signal to future me that a transitional or elaborating scene has to be entered here. If you have the motivation to write at all, don’t waste it — write what feels right.

Of course, the outlining structure depends on the book and what I think feels right for this particular style and/or genre. Below is the way I created sub-folders for the 1910s-inspired story I mentioned earlier. Here I have a section for characters, because of the multiple points of view, and world-building because of the more intricate details of the setting. 

An alternate way to organize your folders.

Don’t box yourself into my process, because I don’t even box myself into my process.

The rest of the method varies. I draft the entire story, rewrite scenes or even entire chapters, and cycle through rounds and rounds of editing until I feel confident in sending the manuscript to my editor. Sometimes, I find things like Google Calendar or Notion helpful to carve out time during the week to work on writing. Next chapter, I’ll talk about the process of finding professionals and self-publishing, but for a long time you as the author have sole authority over your draft. It sounds terrifying, and it is, but it is also liberating.

Your process is your process, ultimately, but I highly recommend taking the steps to make the actual writing and publishing part feel less daunting. It will take more than that to surpass the initial insecurities, but I promise you will benefit from breaking down your ideas into palatable, consumable pieces. Even if things change later on, even if you as a writer and person change later on, outlining and planning will keep the heart of your original idea alive — thus honoring who you were when you woke up in the middle of that fateful night, already opening up the Notes App.

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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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Balance and Time: Finding Organization Within the Clutter of College

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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Home Away From Home

July 15th, 2025

In college, it is important to have a strong support system. Whether it’s your family, friends, legal guardians, or mentors at school, having a good support system allows you to lean on them when you are struggling. When I left for college, the hardest goodbye I faced was my family, specifically my mom and dad. For eighteen years, they have stood by my side and have given me great opportunities and memories, so it was hard to let go and live my life on my own. I struggled in my first semester while I was away, and my family was my support system.

Family can be your strongest support system, or it can be a complicated one. In my case, I’ve had moments where my family lifted me up when I was feeling stressed about adjusting to college life, my academics, and my health. Whether it was a quick phone call from either of my parents or a package of stuff from my room to remind me of home, the little things keep me supported and motivated to keep going.

Although my family has supported me throughout my time in college, there have been times where my family didn’t fully understand what I was going through. They couldn’t always relate to the stress of college, my health struggles, or my mental health journey. It took time for me to realize that family support doesn’t always look the way you want it to. My parents have always been very keen on giving me honest and realistic feedback and telling me how it is, even if it means disagreeing with me and how I feel. This has given me a newfound perspective that support comes in all different ways.

A picture of my family who is my biggest support system.

Friendships, on the other hand, are constantly evolving in college. Some of my high school friends faded out naturally. Others stayed and became my emotional anchors. I also formed new friendships, some quickly, some over time. I think the hardest part about forming friendships is that not all of them last. College friendships are different because you’re growing, changing, and figuring out who you are, and that growth can bring you closer or pull you apart.

Family and friends deeply affect your wellness, mental health, and fitness more than most people realize. When I felt supported, I took better care of myself. I slept better, ate more regularly, and felt motivated to move my body. This proves that if you have a good support system with the relationships around you, you are more likely to succeed in every aspect of your college life.

An effective relationship can give you the stability to maintain yourself. Some key takeaways I’ve learned along the way is to one, always communicate openly. Your family and friends can’t support you if they don’t know what’s going on. Be honest about how you’re doing, even when it’s messy or uncomfortable. The second takeaway is to make time for the community, even if it’s just a 10-minute call or a quick text. The third takeaway is to show up when you can, because support goes both ways. Be the friend or sibling you want to have. The fourth and most important takeaway I’ve learned is to not force what doesn’t fit. If a friendship feels one-sided or harmful, it’s okay to let go.

Your heart, your background, your people, all come with you. Learning how to balance your academic goals with your emotional ties is part of the process. At the end of the day, when you’re done with college, the people you keep around during that process will still be around, and that’s something you should hold onto forever.

One thing I love to do when my family comes to visit me while at college is to take them to a restaurant to try new things. My parents, specifically my dad, loves a good fresh deli sandwich. Whether it’s your family, friends, etc, treat your support system to Finest Deli but using this 20% off coupon.

By: Yamilia Ford

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

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

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Niche-ing New York City: Embracing Your Talent

July 15th, 2025
Caroline Lattanzio (left) and Leah Eastwood (right)

Talent is natural, yes. It’s inherent, born-in, perhaps passed down. But it is not always easy. In many cases our talent must be drawn out of us, through practice, exposure, experience. In the past articles we have learned how to expose ourselves to new – and affordable – genres of talent, and, once we’ve found our talent, how to set a foundation for success in that niche field. But how do we move from point A to point B? Before the acting conservatory or the internship, we need ways to nurture our talents and find a safe and motivating community in which to do so. I sat down with two friends who have been an important part of my community since I first set foot in New York City to talk about how those around us have helped us find and develop our talents.

Leah Eastwood is double majoring in Psychology and Film at Pace and planning to pursue master’s degrees in Psychology and Business. She always had a passion for Film, having directed, filmed, and edited movies with her siblings and friends since she was seven, but she never truly considered film as a career path. It was in a high school drama class, when she had turned in a professional-level short film as her final, that one of her favorite teachers opened her up to the possibility and urged her to further her studies in Film.

However, Leah felt the need to hedge her bets. She knew Film was her talent and her passion, but she also knew it would be a difficult field to succeed in. Having enjoyed and excelled at AP Psychology in high school, she decided she would major in Psych and pursue a career in therapy. As a rising senior in college, though, those lines have blurred. While her Psych classes have solidified her decision to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the field, she has found that her production classes and the hands-on learning have simultaneously allowed her to develop her skills and to seriously consider a Film career. Behind the camera is where she is happiest, and while she still wants to help people, she has found that Psych and Film work together beautifully to create meaningful media with moving messages. 

Caroline Lattanzio moved to New York City from Arkansas, a place devoid of the same kind of creative spirit and diversity in talent that we enjoy here. In her small college prep school, she wasn’t exposed to the same kind of artistic and alternative opportunities that many of us were. To add fuel to the flame, she never really excelled in her classes, either. There was nothing and no one to show her that failing math didn’t mean the end of the world, and there was no activity or outlet to turn to after class. In a particularly tough time, she sat on her floor crying, afraid of failing, even if she didn’t know what she might fail at. Her mom asked her, “What do you actually like to do? What makes you happy?” 

The answer was easy: music. Playing it on the guitar, yes, but also listening to it, experiencing it. She thought back to her first ever concert – Taylor Swift, before ticket prices were what they are now – and remembered how meaningful it was to her, knowing that she wanted to be a part of delivering that experience to others. This is how Caroline landed on Arts and Entertainment Management, a business program on the outskirts of the business department at Pace. It combines perfectly her talent in simply talking to people, advertising herself and charming artists and customers, with her passion in music and concert experiences, and has only helped her develop her skill and knowledge in these areas.

In the next article, we will discuss the community that Leah and Caroline have fostered since starting at Pace, and how they have helped each other grow as people, develop their skills, find solutions to the toughest problems, and connect with an ever-expanding web of similarly- and differently-talented people. It only takes one experience, one person telling you for the first time that you’re good at something or asking you seriously what you enjoy doing, to jumpstart a career, a talent, a life. Our advice: open yourself up to those experiences, those people, and take the risk. Listen closely to those who know you best and learn from them what you might be blind to in yourself. It could change your life.

Seaport Deli is a great 24-hour spot in FiDi for fresh sandwiches, salads, and smoothies. Summer is the best time to go and try their amazing ice cream! Take 10% off your order with this coupon and your student ID.

By Lauren Male

Lauren Male is a senior at Pace University majoring in English and Communications, with a minor in Journalism. She is pursuing Pace’s M.S. Publishing program. When she’s not reading, Lauren can be found trying new coffee shops, thrift shopping, and spending all of her money on concert tickets.

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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