Posts Tagged ‘collegelife’

Paris, Texas and how it changed the way I see NYC

Saturday, 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.

Share

Lights, Camera, Action: NYC Live

Tuesday, June 24th, 2025

One of the most surreal parts of living in New York City is how casually you can stumble into pop culture history. A-list celebrities walk right past you, red carpets roll out on random weekdays, and entire TV shows are filmed just a few subway stops away. As a Film & TV student and certified entertainment lover, I have spent the last three years figuring out how to tap into this world as a college student without a lot of extra money to spend. However, from movie premieres to live tapings of your favorite shows, NYC has its own front row (if you know where to look). 

Let’s start with something unforgettable: my first time attending a Tonight Show taping. Just a couple days before moving into my freshman year dorm, I was sitting in my mom’s hotel room scrolling online for fun things to do once my parents were gone. I discovered the website, “1iota” (a site you should definitely bookmark) and signed up on a whim for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. A couple of days later, I received an invite in my inbox granting two tickets to the live show! A few weeks later, my roommate and I were sitting just two rows behind Jimmy Fallon. From the applause signs to the camera crew and the band warming up before the show, the energy in the room was electric. We got to see Cameron Diaz, Matt Smith, and a musical performance from the iconic Sheryl Crow. The best part of it all? The tickets were completely free. It felt like a backstage pass to something millions of people only ever see from their couches. 

This is me in the waiting room for Jimmy Fallon! I may have a mask on, but I am smiling underneath!

Beyond late-night shows, there’s a whole world of movie premieres and advanced screenings constantly happening across the city. Many studios host invite-only screenings in Manhattan, but here’s the secret: you don’t have to be on “the list.” Sites like Gofobo, See It First, and 1iota often release passes to the public if you’re quick enough. A lot of my friends assume that I have a secret “in”, but the truth is, I’ve just been lucky. If you consistently apply for tickets, you will get “lucky” too. I have been able to see Tom Holland on LIVE with Kelly and Mark, Finn Wolfhard at A24’s The Legend of Ochi screening, and so much more. These pinch-me moments remind me of why I love this city so much, you never know what you may get special access to. 

New York also offers more casual (but just as magical) brushes with celebrities and entertainment. I’ll never forget a moment that happened in the middle of doing laundry, when my friend texted me that Timothée Chalamet was filming on Bond Street. Without hesitation, I left my clothes in the wash and sprinted out of the dorm (and while I don’t condone laundry abandonment, for Timothée, I’d argue it was justified). Sure enough, when I got there, the street was nearly empty, and the crew was still setting up. Because the word hadn’t spread yet, they let me stand remarkably close to the action. I soon realized I was watching a Bleu de Chanel commercial, directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese. I stayed for hours, completely mesmerized. As time passed, more fans trickled in, but the experience remained surreal. And yes, Timothée greeted the crowd— I got to high-five him. It’s moments like these that remind you why living in New York is unlike anywhere else, the extraordinary isn’t rare here, it’s just around the corner. 

If you’re someone who likes to be part of the excitement without a big crowd, you can still soak in the atmosphere by showing up early to events like talks, panels, or special screenings. The best part? Most of these moments cost nothing. You don’t need a fancy invite, a press pass, or thousands of followers. All you need is curiosity, a little research, and a willingness to be in the right place at the right time. Plus, there are often student discounts! Overall, Living in NYC means the entertainment industry isn’t just something you admire from afar, it’s truly woven into your daily life. For film lovers, aspiring creatives, or anyone who just wants to brush shoulders with the excitement of the screen, the city offers opportunity after opportunity. You just have to be willing to chase it a little.

If you want to catch the eyes of your celebrity crush on the streets of NYC, use this coupon to receive up to 20% off of your treatment! 

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.

Share

Intentionality as a Young Adult: Identifying What You Find Valuable

Friday, September 27th, 2024

I originally went into college as a Political Communications major, my school’s version of Political Science. I had always been very passionate about politics and thought the best way to utilize this interest was to go into the political field directly. Maybe become a lawyer, or even run for office one day! About a month into college, though, I realized there was no way I could continue with this as my full-time job. It stressed me out way too much, and I could feel my mental health beginning to decline in the worst way. I also go to a very creative college, and I looked around at all my peers, many of whom were following their creative passions, and felt jealous that my whole life wasn’t the one thing I’ve always loved above all else — writing. So after my first semester, I ended up changing my major to Creative Writing. 

I don’t start off with this story to tell anyone that going into a creative field is definitely the right thing for them. On the contrary — going into a creative field has its downsides too. The study “Creative Burnout: Suffocating The Future of Design” by Kayla Roles discusses in depth how creative individuals who make their passion their whole life can experience a type of burnout that prevents them from finding joy in their art.

(Photo Credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-sitting-on-bed-with-flying-books-yHG6llFLjS0)

I tell this story instead to demonstrate how I began to identify the things I find valuable in my life. While I care deeply about politics, I also value my mental health. And above most other things, I value my creativity, and having avenues to explore it in my day-to-day life; hence why I wanted to study it full time.

But how do you truly identify what you find valuable? You may have a vast array of interests and, as I mentioned in the previous chapter, experience a choice paralysis in determining which are the most important to you. I have a series of questions I tend to ask myself when deciding if I should pursue something new. First, what are the things I find myself gravitating towards the most often? What do I spend the most time thinking about? For me, one of these things, whether it was negative or positive, was food. Even if I was anxious about my food consumption, it was ultimately because I’ve always enjoyed food so much. 

Like in the case of Political Communications, I also always ask if this is something I can actually see myself doing. While you may have certain passions, not all of them are realistic with our lifestyles or personalities. I also have a vested interest in sea creatures, but I don’t think it’s realistic with my current education or location to try and become a marine biologist. 

Lastly, if something is truly valuable to you, it will also add value to your life. Like with the food example, you may really enjoy specifically fast food. However, if you’re just eating fast food all the time, that isn’t going to be particularly positive for your body. You can always reshape this into something more positive overall, though, such as an appreciation for food in general. That way, you can find healthier alternatives that you may end up enjoying more!

At the end of the day, even if the things that you find valuable don’t necessarily become your job, it’s important to make time for the things that you find true value in. Just going through the motions in your everyday life won’t lead to living the life you truly want or deserve to lead. However, if you are interested in making a career out of your passions, or using them to make some extra cash, then be sure to check back in for my next chapters. 



For when you’re stressed out by all the potential opportunities in your life, you can get 20% off your next treatment at Best MG Spa! Just pay with cash and bring this coupon and your student ID. 

By Izzy Astuto

Izzy Astuto (he/they) is a writer currently majoring in Creative Writing at Emerson College, with a specific interest in screenwriting. His work has previously been published by Hearth and Coffin, Sage Cigarettes, and The Gorko Gazette, amongst others. He is currently a reader for journals such as PRISM international and Alien Magazine. You can find more of their work on their website, at https://izzyastuto.weebly.com/. Their Instagram is izzyastuto2.0 and Twitter is adivine_tragedy. 


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.

Share

The Trader Joe’s Experience

Tuesday, July 27th, 2021

As my fridge became empty, I realized it was that time of the week again! Trader Joe’s time! When I say this store is my home, I mean it. Trader Joe’s makes me feel elated. When entering those red and grey doors I was hit with a buzz of energy. Looking up and down the aisle as I see the ripened watermelon and berries to my right, and to my left the tropical fruit of my heart which is papaya, mango, dragon fruit, etc. I love Trader Joe’s because I always know I am getting the best and freshest produce there is. Then as I walk down the aisle I see the ripened vegetables. One of the most convenient things about Trader Joe’s is that they have already cut-up vegetables in the refrigerated section. This makes it very easy for a college student like me to buy something fresh and not make a mess of it in my dorm room since everything is already cut and mostly prepared. 

Laura McCamy, Bethany Biron. “36 Products to Buy at Trader Joe’s – and 15 You Should Skip Every Time.” Business Insider. Business Insider, 31 Jan. 2020. Web. 27 July 2021.


While I take my trip around the store, it is hard to not buy everything in sight. Maybe in the future, I could, but right now I had to buy what was convenient for my dorm food. That means sticking with their pre-packaged fruits and vegetables to create less of a mess for me, and to keep my roommate happy. As my adventure continues I walk into their snack section. As a college student, having a variety of snacks is a must. For whether you are busy, socializing, etc, snacks are always a good thing to have in a dorm room. My top favorites from Trader Joe’s are the peanut butter-filled pretzel bites and any kind of granola they have. Their snacks come in big but compatible sizes that are perfect to store underneath your bed or wherever else. Along with their snacks, their hummus is the perfect pairing with some pre-sliced veggies for another snack option. If you have a mini-fridge you need to buy their hummus. It’s fresh and a perfect source of protein for those who don’t eat meat. Then if you’re lucky enough to have a freezer in your mini-fridge then you have to check out the frozen section that has food ranging from many different types of cuisine, to even mini chocolate lava cakes as a sweet dessert treat!

Moody, Liz. “Found: The Healthiest Snacks You Can Buy At Trader Joe’s.” Mindbodygreen. Mindbodygreen, 22 Nov. 2019. Web. 27 July 2021.


Going grocery shopping will literally take me an hour. You want to get your hands on any trader Joe’s branded item. I know for a fact the popular “everything but the bagel seasoning” makes other seasonings look like a joke. It is a Trader Joe’s brand which makes everyone want to buy it 10 times more. Who am I kidding, I do as well. You can season your vegetables with this as it dips into their delectable, smooth, creamy hummus as the best snack there is to have. 

Overall, the best part of trader joes is as I walk into the checkout line I always know that all of the food I am getting whether it is snacks or produce it is very affordable. I can get a bunch of fruit and vegetables for under $30, which makes my purchase of getting all of the delectable food so much better.

By: Hanna Mandel

Hanna Mandel studies Drama at NYU Tisch in hopes of being on the big screen one day. She hopes to venture into writing, directing, and producing. She loves to travel and explore new places, as well as trying new foods!

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.

Share