Niche-ing New York City: Surrounding Yourself with Talent (Affordably!)

July 7th, 2025

One of the best ways to find and develop your own talent is to experience it. Living in New York City, talent surrounds us, envelops us, everywhere we go. It poses for pictures with fans just as it passes us unnoticed on the street; it exists at the top of the tallest skyscrapers and under our feet in basements and subway stations. It may be easy to miss, but it’s not hard to find when you look for it. Here are some accessible and affordable ways to surround yourself with talent in the city:

Student Rush/Lottery Broadway Tickets

My roommates and I after rushing tickets for Shucked. Only $40 for great seats!

Whether or not your niche is musical theatre, Broadway is a must-see experience for everyone – but not everyone can afford $200 tickets. Thankfully, many shows offer day-of rush tickets which, if you’re a student willing to wake up early and wait in line at the box office, can get you in for under $50. This rush schedule is a helpful tool to gauge the time and days you should get in line to secure those rush tickets. Similarly, there are online lotteries that you can enter to win tickets under $60 (including Hamilton, which offers $10 tickets – a steal!)

Script Readings

If you’re an aspiring actor, screenwriter, or playwright, script readings are a great way to experience a panel of actors and a new screenplay for free! Script Club NYC is a group that gathers for table reads at Roots Cafe every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., and writers have the chance to submit their new piece to be read in front of an audience at an upcoming Wednesday meeting! Similarly, The Drawing Board meets every 4th Monday and are taking applications for more actors, observers, and submissions.

Discounted and Free Museum Tickets

At the MoMA. Highly recommend!

Up-and-coming artists can only benefit from experiencing art up close and personal at some of the world’s most encompassing and renowned art museums – for cheap! The Metropolitan Museum of Art is pay-what-you-wish for all NYC residents, which includes out-of-state students of a NYC school. The Museum of Modern Art offers $17 student tickets every day of the week, but all New York State residents are eligible to reserve free tickets for Friday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The newly-reopened Frick Collection also offers $17 tickets to students, and pay-what-you-wish admission is offered every Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m. NYC Tourism has a great guide to help you find more deals like these!

Free Summer Music and Dance Classes

Whether you’re a musician yourself, a dancer, an avid listener, or find your talent in niches like stage production and event management, the city’s parks are a great place to experience free music and dancing this summer! Parks across the boroughs are hosting huge artists like Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe, popular indie artists like mxmtoon, Still Woozy, and Men I Trust, and talented jazz bands like The Jimmy Heath Big Band and The Captain Black Big Band. You can also find DJ sets and dance workshops to live music. Secret NYC has an all-encompassing list of the lineup this summer!

As we’ve learned thus far in Niche-ing New York City, practicing your talent goes hand-in-hand with surrounding yourself with talents – those of your friends, your mentors, and complete strangers – and learning from those around you. Finding your niche can be difficult for a multitude of reasons: maybe you feel like you’re good at everything or you’re good at nothing, or maybe you simply haven’t heard of your talent yet, haven’t experienced it, examined it, felt a rush of adrenaline and goosebumps down your arms. In future articles, we’ll look at affordable ways to dive head-first into your talent and get your hands dirty, but for now, seeing the beauty and talent in the city around you is a great way to start!

I highly recommend the teriyaki beef rice burger from Kyuramen. Check it out and get 10% with this coupon and your student ID from Monday-Wednesday!

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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Healing Isn’t Linear

July 1st, 2025

It is in our human nature to believe that you can do everything on your own. In college, there is an unspoken pressure to keep your life in order and maintain the “picture perfect” college image, even when you’re falling apart mentally and emotionally. My depression and anxiety have become a part of my daily life and have intertwined with my college experience in a negative way. Although I have found multiple ways of coping with my mental health, including coloring and doing puzzles, I have found that therapy has really helped me with the demands that come with college. 

I started to entertain the idea of taking therapy when I realized that it isn’t just for people with extreme trauma or people who have deep emotional scarring from their experiences. I didn’t realize that it was a useful tool that everyone could use to feel better about themselves in any setting. When I signed up for therapy, I didn’t know what to expect. I was nervous I’d be judged or that nothing would come of it. I was also concerned because I was getting a male therapist instead of a female, which made me wonder if I could be more personal with a man.

When I reflect on my time spent in therapy, I love that I am speaking the truth without judgment and that my therapist listened without interrupting. My therapist asked thoughtful and thorough questions that helped both him and me understand why I was feeling the way that I was and how we can take those feelings and turn them into a positive instead of a negative. I also loved that his mentally wasn’t to “fix me” but to help me feel better so that I was able to make my life feel more manageable, allowing me to continue my daily responsibilities.

A college student benefiting from therapy. Image credit: https://charleston.edu/counseling/index.php

In hindsight, therapy hasn’t “cured” me. It has been an important tool to help identify the triggers. It helps me with what my therapist calls my “inner critic”. The biggest takeaways that therapy has taught me is that you are not your thoughts. Even though your mind says something that has a negative connotation to it, that doesn’t make it true. Therapy has helped me challenge those thoughts with evidence of the good things that I have done. I also have learned that coping skills are important. Whether it’s using breathing techniques or writing things down, or in my case, doing puzzles and coloring, simple tools go a long way in important your mental health. The most important takeaway is that healing isn’t linear. Some days you’ll feel amazing and other days you’ll feel like you’re back at square one. Progress isn’t a straight line, and it’s important to recognize that there will be good days and bad days and that’s okay.

Therapy is not weakness, it’s strength. It’s one of the most powerful forms of self-care I’ve ever invested in, and if it’s accessible to you, I encourage you to give it a try. I know in some situations it may feel like a “last resort” but anyone can benefit from it. Most colleges offer free or low-cost counseling services for students. Start with one session and go from there. You don’t have to commit to forever, so just commit to showing up, because the truth is, taking care of your mind supports every part of your life. Your wellness. Your fitness. Your relationships. Your academics. You don’t have to carry the weight of college, or life by yourself. There is help. There is hope. And you are worthy of both.

Although therapy can benefit your mental health, other ways include sitting down at a spa and relaxing. Get 10% off at Spa Joie using your student I.D.

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: Talents Out of School

June 30th, 2025
Heather Male

In an attempt to begin this guide with a success story, I met with one of the most talented, most successful people I know to tell her story: Heather Male. My aunt, friend, and role model, she has accomplished what many young creatives living in New York City long to – a balance between a great salary and a fulfilling creative outlet. After work at her corporate day job, she spends evenings writing at coffee shops, taking acting classes at the Kimball Studio, and collaborating with photographer Charles Johnstone on their photo books, one of which is currently on display in The Helmut Newton Foundation Museum for Photography’s Polaroids exhibition. 

What many of us broke liberal arts students long to understand is this: how did she get here? What steps did she take after graduating that can land us a successful career built on our talents? Unfortunately, as Heather has found, no two paths to success are the same, even within the same niche. Her first piece of advice is that we learn to live with that and become nimble and adaptable when it comes to change. Her second piece of advice, however, is that we set up a good foundation upon which to build; while we won’t ever be able to replicate the exact same opportunities – what she calls “happy accidents” – that landed her where she is today, the things we can plan for – like going to school and getting trained – will set for us a foundation that will yield the most opportunities. 

For her, that meant graduating from Fordham University with a double major in Film and Theatre and a minor in Communications followed by a two-year acting conservatory at Esper Studio. Dedicated to the Meisner Technique – based on emotionality and improvisation, producing especially instinctive, empathic, authentic actors – the Esper Studio has also trained well-known actors like Jeff Goldblum, Kristen Davis, Ian Somerhalder, and Kathy Bates, among others. Excellent actors, Heather notes, who are successful and getting paid. It was here, and in the consequent years at the Kimball Studio, where she built her community. She found herself surrounded by actors of different ages, at different stages of their lives, whom she could teach and from whom she could learn – she had a lineup of exceedingly intimate friends to go to for help and advice no matter the problem. 

Outside of acting class, Heather grew her network by bussing tables, running food, and cocktail waitressing, jobs that she found made her the best money while also providing her the opportunity to meet hundreds of new people every day and to develop relationships with her regulars. She never felt like she was sacrificing time that could be spent creating because the job was layered with possibility and benefit – you never know who you’ll be talking to that night, and in New York City, it is a near-guarantee that you’ll meet someone important. Whether you work in food service, retail, or as a barista at Starbucks, Heather just advises that you stay in the mix. College students should find a way to spend their breaks in the city, get out of the apartment, and establish your community – “To have the highest odds of a happy accident, you have to be here.” 

Believe me, Heather knows it’s not the easiest city to live in, especially compared to the glamorized New York City we all dream about. Whatever your talent, however, suffering will help you – it will add a new dimension to your character in a play, it will add a unique emotion to your painting, it will prepare you for any conflict that comes up in your PR job. We learn by experiencing, and the best way to experience is to get out there, to meet people, to begin building your foundation for success.

Treat yourself to authentic Italian pizza in the Financial District! Take 20% off 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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Paris, Texas and how it changed the way I see NYC

June 28th, 2025

One of the most exciting aspects of going to school in NYC is the artistry and magic behind the film industry here. As a film enthusiast, filmmaker, and actor myself, I have always believed that although the industry lies in Los Angeles, that the heart of indie, unique, and distinctive voices lies here. Being in the same environment where legends like Scorsese, Bob Dylan, Al Pacino, Spike Lee, and Robert De Niro stepped foot in and marked their paths inspires me everyday as an artist, but more importantly makes me want to forge my own path and my own artistic process. 

Martin Scorsese and Robert de Niro on the set of Taxi Driver (1971).
Image credits: https://www.fastcompany.com/3066462/cinephile-alert-the-martin-scorsese-museum-exhibition-has-come-to-nyc

When I arrived in NYC to start classes, the first thing I set out to do was to visit the historic and iconic IFC Cinemas in the West Village. Upon seeing it I felt transformed. Despite having been in New York a few times before, I had never gotten a chance to explore it through my love for art, and even just seeing felt magical until now. They were doing a showing of Paris, Texas, a film that absolutely floored me the first time I watched it due to its philosophical richness and emotional depth. I decided that that would be the first film I would watch in New York City, and I couldn’t have chosen a better film to set the stage for such a monumental chapter in my life – the first year of college; away from home. 

IFC Center in West Village, NYC

What captures me about Paris, Texas is the striking portrayal of what it’s like to be on a search to find yourself, to see what your place in the world is and why it’s meaningful. The protagonist, Travis, is introduced to the audience as an amnesiac who is lost, wandering the desert alone without any idea of who his past self entailed. The film shows the journey he faces in reconstructing his life, but more importantly, how the choices he makes as he finds himself are different from those of the man he abandoned. It touches on a core belief of Jean Paul-Satre, that existence precedes essence; that the choices you make and reasoning behind them are what determines your destiny. Essentially, we are all born with a Tabula Rasa, or a blank slate. There could not be a moment that is more deserving of this ideology than going to college. When we enter college, we can all be a blank slate. You don’t have to be the same exact person you were in high school, and the choices you make while in college are what often set yourself up for what can be a very rewarding and fulfilling life.

Paris, Texas Still – Travis wandering desert
Image credit: https://inalonelyplacefilm.com/2014/11/30/paris-texas-a-visual-trip/

As an artist and especially someone pursuing a fine arts degree, I think that we are all blank slates. We are all trying to find not only what motivates us to create art, but also our own niche and our own style of artistry. “I think college can be an opportunity where your art will grow, flourish, and expand beyond your very eyes with the help of your education and the people you meet. Even for non-artists or people who enjoy art as more of a hobby, this idea can be put into practice in careers. We are trying to find what makes us good at what we are, what makes us want to pursue what we are pursuing, and more importantly we are exploring who we are as people. 

Another aspect of Paris, Texas that I find is worth mentioning is its ideas regarding time, memory, and space. Director Wim Wenders uses a variety of open, vast shots, where the characters are seen as miniscule behind the scenery of the American west. This choice is intentional, as is any choice a filmmaker makes in the creation of their films, but what makes this such a valuable choice is the statement it makes about our place in the world. Arguably we are only a very small fraction of history, of the world, of time.

Paris, Texas still: Travis wandering desert
Image credit: https://spfilmjournal.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/paris-texas-by-wim-wenders-1984/

Like Travis at the start of the film, we are immediately subjected to being in the vast, empty, and almost liminal south Texan desert, leading us to feel the same confusion as him. After he gets reunited with his brother and begins his journey to find his ex-wife, the closer he gets to the city and urbanization the more his memories start to return back to him. Paris. Texas not only evokes the fact that memory keeps us all grounded, but also suggests that time can reshape itself. We can’t necessarily forget our past, but maybe we don’t have to. Being able to self-reflect and grow from our past, while also keeping the value in the memories that matter is a lesson that I think anyone should take from this film, and also this important stage in life. In a city like New York, you can almost feel as isolated and stuck with your own thoughts as if you were in the desert, but being able to use those moments with yourself and feel connected to what feels like home is often what gives us the motivation to keep going towards our goals and dreams. 

Entrance of the IFC Center in West Village

What left me most in awe after exiting the theatre during this showing was the ending of the film. On the big screen, there is absolutely nothing like it. The green light on the empty parking lot roof that overlooks the twilight sky, seeing Travis leave his child with Jane after he finally tracked her down, and ending with him being alone once again is more open to interpretation than I can think of.

Paris, Texas still: Jane and her son reunite
Image credit: https://inalonelyplacefilm.com/2014/11/30/paris-texas-a-visual-trip/

The main thing that I find powerful about the ending is the idea of space, silence, and letting go. The fact that he lets Jane and their son go off, without his physical intervention, shows the way in which internal redemption doesn’t always end in a “happily ever after.” He acknowledges that his past self did harm, and rather than go back, he decides that keeping space between them is the best course of action he could take, but leaves satisfied in his ability to fix something. His transformation and character growth was introspective, and despite being left in the same physical predicament that he started (alone, wandering, a nomad), he isn’t who he was at the start of the film because he remembers his past. In more ways than one, I think this is reflective of how I see my college journey. Wenders captures brilliantly the weight that lies within silence, within solitude, within goodbyes, and within starting over, and similarly, college can feel like that too. You are learning your place in the world, you are saying goodbye to a life that you can’t completely go back to, and you are learning to become your very best company. College forces you to confront the idea of who you think you are, and will lead you to grow inwardly and internally, rather than it being a big, climactic moment. 

Paris, Texas still: Travis watches as Jane and their son drive off
Image credit: https://velveteyes.net/movie-stills/paris-texas/

Change can be scary, college can be scary, even being alone can be scary. But it doesn’t always have to be. Change can lie in what feels familiar and can push us to new corners if we let it.

After your film experience at the IFC, take 20% off at Absolute Coffee!
Enjoy coffee, tea, pastries, and more!


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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Dreamland Ch. 3: Humility, and how the city of dreams can make you feel like a nobody

June 25th, 2025
The city of dreams in question. Image Credit: https://www.rolcruise.co.uk/blog/a-guide-to-new-yorks-skyline

It turns out I’m not the only person in the world who loves to write. Wild, no? I grew up around Indians and Indian Americans, which meant that, generally speaking, any artistic prowess was meant to be fostered in between better, more lucrative things. But more than that, I just happened to not surround myself with people who would’ve thought to seriously pursue English. I didn’t think myself above or below them in any way; we were just different. I appreciated that, honestly. But I did spend those months before college eager to meet more like-minded people, and it was still a shock to see the gradient of creatives walking down the street alongside me.

Something I didn’t expect to contend with was this feeling of no longer being special. I’ve always been friends with curious, bright people, but at NYU it’s as though every single person I meet has created something, reinvented something, pushed something to its limits and then beyond. I, on the other hand, have written something that falls in a long line of stories in the same exact genre, and will soon fall to obsolescence. 

In New York, I began to feel this immense pressure to be entirely singular. I have always been reserved about sharing the details of my writing with other people, but I now felt obligated to add caveats: I wrote these books at such a young age that they are bound to be less than perfect, I plan to move beyond this genre when I’m older, I read so much more than this (I read classical literature, please recognize my intellect). 

The craziest part about this? Nobody cares. 

I keep having to remind myself that I can still take pride in having put in the effort to bring something to fruition. It doesn’t make sense that I can write two entire novels and still feel inadequate, then turn around and assure everyone else that there is no time limit to accomplishment. Why can’t I apply that logic to myself?

Also, there are students at NYU better at writing than I am, big shocker. I see that every day I sit in a creative writing class, and before the disheartenment sets in, I force that fact to motivate me instead. I get more passionate, and I become a stronger writer.

What people actually love to hear is you talking about why you care, what you’re passionate about, the things that make you happy, whatever that might be. Not once have I experienced judgment or scrutiny for not looking to write the next Great American Novel, but I preempt my explanations in anticipation of that. It’s more pathetic, I think, than actually facing judgment. If someone does not want to hear about your dreams, they will not be privy to their fulfillment. That is their loss, not yours.

I can go on and on about this, prove with receipts what you can learn by understanding your merits and embracing your shortcomings, but the truth is, I’m still working toward practicing the certain, unadulterated self-confidence I preach about. I can be awful about taking compliments from other people, and even worse from myself, so I imagine it will take a while to talk myself up to other people without feeling the weight of unease. Even during interviews, when I enumerate my skills and qualities, I am simply performing. If I get the position, it isn’t me I have to thank, it is that facsimile of myself. The city and its endless opportunities can at once make you feel like a star and an imposter.

But I am the one who wrote those books. I am the one meeting those people, getting those internships, putting myself out there. I am the one experiencing the countless rejections, and I am the one who breaks down and picks myself back up to try again.

Whatever it is that you do, if it is something you are passionate about, the people worth your respect will respect your passion in kind. But more importantly, you will learn your own value once you set aside the impression that you must be uniquely expert in all that you do. Someone will be better than you, more reputable than you, and receive accolades you’ll take years to touch, but that’s no excuse to stop. 

The people you meet are not looking to rate you but to learn about you. So tell them, and leave nothing out.

Students get 10% off at Compilation Coffee Roasters in Brooklyn with valid ID. Redeem now for coffee and pastries.

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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You’re Not Weak… You’re Human

June 25th, 2025

Mental health is one of those things you don’t always notice slipping, especially in a college setting. When I first entered college, I had never really believed in mental health. I believed that mental health was an excuse to not be present and to neglect your responsibilities. Throughout my time in college, I always had the mentally of pushing through the hardships and problems I have had and as opposed to blaming it on mental health.

In the beginning of my spring 2025 semester, I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Further into the semester, I was then diagnosed with depression, which is commonly linked with anxiety. These diagnoses made me realize I was not above mental health. I spent a lot of time trying to recognize the factors that played into my depression and anxiety so that I can control my feelings and emotions and be the best version of myself in college. 

At the end of the semester, I had realized that my mental health wasn’t just a personal issue, it was my overall full-body experience. It impacted my appetite, my energy, my physical movement. My lack of motivation led to skipped meals. My anxiety led to late-night scrolling and poor sleep. My depression made me cancel plans, which led to loneliness. The more I ignored my mental health, the worse my wellness and fitness became. 

Then, I learned that these diagnoses correlated with my scoliosis. I also felt very self-conscious of my scoliosis, as in making sure I was covering up my back with a sweater in hot weather or fixing my posture so no one would notice and make fun of what I call “my hump.” When I reflect, I understand that I continue to live in fear of people seeing my back and making fun of it. I also believe that the family and friends I kept around were not very supportive of my health, prompting me to be upset and push my anxiety with my back further.

When it comes to depression and anxiety, I have learned that I need to surround myself with people who are sympathetic to my health and make me feel better about myself and more supported. Going into my senior year of college, I have a few pointers that will help me manage my mental health. The first one is to not minimize it. Saying “I’m just tired” or  “I’m just having a rough day” when you’re actually overwhelmed doesn’t help. Being honest with yourself and your feelings are the most important. The second one is to establish a good routine. Even if it’s waking up, eating, going for a walk, doing one assignment, etc., it can create a sense of structure when everything feels chaotic. The third one is the most important one for me, and that is to stay connected. Isolation can make mental health worse. Reaching out to someone such as a friend, a resident assistant, or a counselor can help you feel seen and heard. The last one is to practice small moments of joy. Whether it’s music, sunlight, journaling, or your favorite snack, the small things you love can spark comfort or meaning.

Three college students relaxing. Image Credit: https://admissions.usf.edu/blog/the-importance-of-sleep-for-college-students

College is hard enough on its own. Adding mental health challenges can feel unbearable, but struggling doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human, and you’re allowed to pause, ask for help, and heal on your own timeline. Just know that you are not alone in feeling this way and it doesn’t make you broken. You’re doing your best and that’s more than enough.

Whether I’m painting on easels or coloring in my coloring book, art is a great way for me to relax and focus my mind. Bring a group of 8 and use code CAMPUSCLIPPER for $50 off!

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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What is “wellness” anyway?

June 20th, 2025

Wellness.

It’s everywhere, and it’s constantly making  its way into our daily lives. Whether it’s Tiktok influencers buying concerning amounts of expensive makeup and skincare to “prevent aging” and look as young and pristine as possible, or other influencers posting mind-boggling exercise routines to achieve unattainable body standards, it feels as though what was once known as wellness simply isn’t well anymore – it’s junk. 

It’s particularly overwhelming to consider the amount of young adults like myself who use these types of apps and succumb to this information. According to Pew Research Center, 78% of 18- to 29-year-olds say they use Instagram, and 62% of 18- to 29-year-olds say they use TikTok. Looking at other studies, such as a survey done by Katrine Wallace, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago, 56% of Gen Z use platforms like TikTok for health advice without double checking sources. Recent studies also show the way in which young adults are more unhappy than ever before, lowering the happiness curve which should be higher for young adults aged 18-29. When combined with uncertainties of the future and higher risks of anxiety and depression due to isolation from peers and family, how does that affect a time where one is supposed to find who they are, and find the people that will ultimately become colleagues or lifelong friends? How do we combat a never ending cycle of isolation caused by being on our phones for hours without end, while also making sure to take care of ourselves and enrich our brains?

Coming off from my first year of college at NYU, these are some tips I would encourage you to try in order to feel peace, happiness, and zen while balancing a new environment, peers, and classes.

I. Exercise

Running along the Hudson River Park.

New York City is the perfect backdrop to get into any form of exercise, but my favorite is running. Being a Cross Country and Track runner in high school, one of the first ways I tried to find community was through running, and luckily NYU has a running club where I was able to do many 5K, 10K and even my first half marathon with!

Me, excited after running the Brooklyn Half Marathon in April.

Even when it comes to exercising alone, running along the Hudson River Greenway has been one of my go to spots for tranquility, great views, and fresh air. Being cooped up all day in a dorm room, library, or classroom is not going to make you feel productive; being active often gives you the clarity needed to do assignments and tasks with your brain feeling much more resetted. Even if running isn’t the sport for you, finding time outside whether it’s window shopping, drinking a warm coffee on a rainy day while strolling the streets, or even hitting the gym for a good weight training session is enough to be a productive yet enjoyable break from the hustle of school work. Being in such a walkable city allows for exercise to happen even without thinking, and some of the best ways I have gotten around have been by simply running throughout New York and seeing what is out there.

II. Nutrition

Late night run to Joe’s Pizza.

I love NYC Pizza like anyone else, but if I had to constantly eat it I think my body would shut down. Finding ways to eat healthy (getting fiber, protein, carbs, and healthy fats) will ultimately lead you to feel satiated, energized, and may even improve your mood and alertness if you tend to feel fatigued. Oftentimes, college is the first time in which you are let go from the foods that your parents would constantly give you, and being on your own often leads to people struggling to find or maintain a healthy relationship with food. It is so important to learn what foods really fuel your body, because at the end of the day I find that money is best spent on what makes your body feel its best.

Mid-day lunch break at Le Botaniste.

One of my favourite places to have lunch in the city, Le Botaniste, has locally sourced plant based meals at pretty affordable prices. Eating there always makes me feel comforted, happy, and leaves me knowing that my body is going to feel rewarded with nutrients that will help me go about my day. My roommate and I also got heavily into making our own smoothies, which in NYC can be quite expensive. Buying ingredients such as frozen fruit, coconut milk, and getting bananas from the dining hall were ways in which we saved money while also eating something that is equally as nutritious as it is delicious. Being creative and economical is all it takes, along with some effort into researching, to find what foods are best for your body and will leave you feeling happy in the process. When you have a the late-night craving though, Joe’s is a classic to hit up.

III. Social Connections

Me, out with some friends on my birthday.

One of the most important tips I can give anyone entering college – GO OUT THERE!! College is the last time where you are in a generally controlled environment, often living with people roughly your age, and getting your first taste of what it’s like to be an adult. Find the people and circles where you feel heard, seen, and appreciated. There is nothing worse than having people around you that don’t care about you and your well-being, and finding the people who see you for who you are is what will make college feel like home.  Join clubs, try new activities, and share aspects of yourself that you once thought were silly or that you have never had the opportunity to do so otherwise. Finding the people is the most crucial step in making college feel enjoyable and doable, especially when classes start feeling rough and time feels like it’s slipping away.

Enjoying some watercolor painting and coffee at Moshava Coffee.

Find the connections that will be there for you when you first come onto campus so that when those times come, you know who has your back. Another great tip I would advise is to enjoy your own company. College gets hectic and not everyone is available to hang out all the time, so learning to appreciate the amazing person you are and enjoy the variety of solo activities there are out there will help combat boredom, and maybe even help you find out new and exciting things about yourself.

Wellness means a lot of things for different people, but the main thing that comes to mind when I think of wellness is how subjective it is. Finding what makes me feel well, healthy, secure, and happy may be completely different to what makes you feel well, healthy, secure, and happy – and that’s completely okay! The main thing I would suggest is to be open to new ideas of wellness, confide in people who have your back, try new things, and take advantage of the resources, people, and opportunities that lie at your fingertips. 

Maybe that’s what wellness is. A community. Your community. Be brave, and open doors to find it.

After your workout, or even as a mid-day snack, try Playa Bowls! Get 10% off with your student ID on your next Açaí bowl, smoothie, or coffee!

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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Niche-ing New York City: Finding Your Niche

June 18th, 2025

Finding Your Niche

New York City is particularly famous for creating particularly famous people. Lady Gaga, Timothee Chalamet, Cardi B, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Lena Dunham – all globally acclaimed despite their vastly different talents – each grew up among the 8 million New Yorkers we pass on the street, the neighbors whom we greet every day, and the strangers we squeeze against in packed subway cars. There’s something about this city – maybe it’s the reservoir water, maybe it’s magic – that produces talent like no other. Los Angeles may be teeming with Hollywood actors and London with members of the royal family, but New York City claims some of the most successful rappers, designers, and thespians, but also businesspeople, professional athletes, and politicians. New York City has a diversity in its people – and thus in its talent – equal to no other city in the world. 

An image of the crowd at Lorde’s free performance in Washington Square Park, Apr. 22 2025.

There is a reason why I moved here, why my classmates attend school here – the actors, writers, artists, business majors, and criminal justice minors alike – and it’s this: opportunity. The chance to meet people who could skyrocket your career – the scout who could sign you off the street, the friend of a friend who could refer you for a huge internship, or the 500th customer of your closing shift at Starbucks who would love to publish your sci-fi novel. New York is a city that allows you to find your niche and hone your talent with no judgment and with complete confidence. 

Me presenting research at the 2025 American Historical Association Annual Meeting.

Of course, there is a caveat: you must want it, you must try for it. You must leave your shoebox apartment and look for that opportunity. You must surround yourself with talented people and seek out community. You’ll need a support system through your failures and friends to congratulate you on your successes. You’ll stay motivated by motivating those around you, and you’ll learn from them as much as you teach them. 

Me with four of my freshman year suitemates — my very first community.

As a student, this can come quite easily. I was thrust into my community quite unexpectedly when I was assigned eight roommates with whom I would squeeze into a tiny New York City freshman dorm. Even as this community shrunk after move-out, it grew as we branched out, and soon we had a web that crossed apartments, dorms, clubs, departments, and even schools. In my freshman year I joined the Honors blog for a chance to try something new and beef up my resume, and I left with some of my closest friends – and most strategic connections, but we try not to make that too obvious. 

Caroline pursuing her talent.

As we will hear in the coming interviews, it is harder to build a strong community when you aren’t forced into a ten-by-ten box alongside them. It becomes even harder when you don’t know what your talent is yet, or you haven’t entered your niche. Some of us – like me – find out in grade school that there is only one subject whose homework doesn’t feel like a Herculean task, but others don’t encounter their talent until much later. As the coming articles will discuss, New York City is the place to be if you want to discover your talent and hone it, to turn it into a fulfilling career or simply a weekend activity. 

What I do know for sure, however, is that talent – and the chance to tend to it – is necessary. It is what makes us feel good about ourselves, what makes us feel useful. It is something that nurtures our ego after a failure or a rejection, and something that drives us to work past it. It brings us together as friends, as New Yorkers, as humanity, and I want to help you find it. 

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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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Dreamland Ch. 2: Surefire tricks to get your relatives to stop asking you about school

June 18th, 2025

Money. It makes the world go round, or something like that. I may have decided my passion from a young age, but I hadn’t decided on a job, not in any practical way. The hard lesson everyone learns between ages 17 and 21 is that choosing your dream is different from choosing your major, which is yet again different from choosing your career. I learned this lesson the moment I fostered my love for creative writing, and I keep learning it every day.

It’s not so bad, really. I’m studying English, which is very transferrable to a number of different fields, no matter what people will tell you. You only have to engage in a quick cursory scroll through any social media platform to understand that people lack writing skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills. People lack empathy and can’t formulate nuanced opinions. I’m not suggesting that everyone become an English major, but I do encourage a reworked perception of what the field can offer. 

So I don’t regret what I’ve chosen; I only regret not pushing myself out of my comfort zone far sooner, all the way back in high school, in order to learn the skills I’d need to shape my career in English. In freshman year of college, I unfortunately hesitated to join extracurriculars and attend general meetings that would allow me to meet new people and find things I might be interested in. I’ve since overcome that hesitation, thankfully, and now I know that I enjoy journalistic writing, marketing, communications, and more generally, learning new things.

That doesn’t mean the insecurity doesn’t creep in every once in a while. Every month, I spend at least one evening freaking out about what I will do after I graduate, and I panic-apply to a million jobs that I ultimately don’t hear back from. My parents are incredibly supportive and love to hear about school, but I’ve noticed that my family friends, the aunties and uncles, aren’t quite sure what to ask or if there is anything to even discuss. I get it, truly, but I can’t help but compare myself to my sister and others in our family who’ve chosen something more recognizable.

If you’re in the humanities, you probably understand this feeling—the tugging sensation that suspends you between your wildest dreams and the real world below. The Icarian knowledge that either side will damn you. Most of the time, it doesn’t feel quite this theatrical, but I don’t think anyone is immune to the chilling realization, even if inaccurate, that the things you do as a teenager determine the rest of your life. Such is the condition of being a teenager in the first place. Why can’t we all just do what we love, right?

NYU’s Silver Center for Arts and Sciences, home to English majors and others. Image Credit: https://meet.nyu.edu/locations/silver-center/

The divide between your passion and your career prospects might feel chasmic now, but there are ways you can reconcile even the most distant of pipe dreams and the most mundane 9-to-5 jobs. 

I used to work for NYU’s outreach and fundraising organization, which was often the bane of my existence, but I took every shift as an opportunity to learn about other people and their backgrounds. I learned about their fields of interest and the ways they used their schooling to propel them into careers that suited their niche interests. I once spoke to someone that illustrated tarot cards. I still quit that job after a semester, but I have plenty of stories to tell. which makes the semester of asking strangers for money sort of worth it. I don’t intend on continuing that sort of work full-time, but I know that if I keep collecting stories and experiences like that one, I’ll find joy in any job.

My ultimate goal is to have a job that sustains me financially and doesn’t make me dread it every night and morning, but I think eventually I’ll come to accept that your job won’t and probably shouldn’t be your life. If I completely turn creativity and writing into my source of income, will I still covet them as I do now? 

If you siphon all your passion into the thing that you have to do or you lose your stability, is it still passion? 

My hope is that I can look down that cavernous gap and feel security in traveling between both sides of it. My hope is to make just enough money that I feel content waking up each morning—though I certainly wouldn’t be mad if I made a little more. Money might sustain you, but your passions will keep you alive.

Students receive a 10% discount at Dim Sum Palace at three locations in NYC. Redeem now for authentic Chinese dim sum.

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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The Body I Brought To College

June 17th, 2025

The first thing they tell you when you enter the world of college is to make your health and wellness a priority and that downtime is important. As a college student, you are constantly thinking about the assignments to turn in, the exam you need to cram for since it’s worth forty percent of your grade, or the big group project that your professor recommends starting two weeks into the semester even though it isn’t due until the end of the year. 

Your health and wellness is an essential part in being successful in your college experience, but it isn’t about hitting the gym or eating a salad. They’re about how your body functions, how you manage stress, and how you show up for yourself every day. In college, it’s easy to treat your body like an afterthought and not prioritize the key functions such as sleep, nutrition, and movement. When you don’t listen to your body, it starts speaking louder through exhaustion, illness, and burnout, which can make it difficult to perform at your full potential best in all areas of college.

A college student suffering from burnout. Image credit: https://songdochronicle.com/2384/latest-posts/am-i-lazy-or-exhausted-academic-burnout-rises-among-university-students/

My entire life, I have suffered from severe scoliosis, a condition where my spine is curved in an “s” shape. Although I have managed this condition throughout my life, when I entered college, it gave me several different challenges that I didn’t realize I’d have to face. Nurturing a proper sleep schedule, having good eating habits, and maintaining minimal movement are important in college, as it can balance out the academic stressors. Before college, I never really thought twice about my body. Even with my medical condition, I ate when I was hungry, slept when I was supposed to, and was at my peak physically. Once I entered college, I didn’t realize that the pressures of academics in combination with my medical condition would make my time in college even more challenging than expected, forcing me to rethink everything about wellness and fitness. A lot of days, my body feels like it’s working against me. I wake up tired, my muscles ache, and I can’t push myself the way other students can. It’s frustrating and isolating, but it’s also taught me the importance of listening to my body and honoring its limits.

I’ve learned to be intentional about rest and my sleep schedule. At night, I give myself a 9 p.m curfew and a bedtime of 10 p.m, which allows me to relax before I close my eyes so that I can sleep better at night. I’ve also had to redefine what fitness meant for me, meaning going on nice, long walks around the city, doing yoga, or choreographing dances to keep myself loose. Everybody’s health and wellness looks different in college, but there are very consistent ways to make sure that your health and wellness are acknowledged and prioritized. First, sleep is non-negotiable. It is recommended to get 8 hours of sleep, so aiming for 7 to 9 hours is best. You should fuel your body consistently. It’s okay to eat what’s available, but try to include whole foods when you can, especially fruits, protein, and complex carbs. You should also move with intention, even if it’s 10 minutes a day. Find movement that feels good for you. Although it’s okay to push yourself, you shouldn’t push yourself too hard, because it’s supposed to feel invigorating and reviving instead of feeling like an obligation. The most important aspect is to be honest with yourself and your needs. Whether you live with a health condition or not, give yourself grace and adapt your routines accordingly. 

Wellness and fitness isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being aware. Although college stresses the importance of academics, it is important to prioritize health and wellness. Your body is the one place you have to live in during college. Take care of it like it’s your most valuable asset.

Nibble Fitness is a great way to help you with your wellness and fitness! Use your student I.D to schedule your complementary fitness assessment!

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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