Posts Tagged ‘student guide’

Soul-Healing With New York Art And Adventures

Tuesday, November 13th, 2018

My first NYC adventure brought me solitude and artistic enlightenment. I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in upper Manhattan to compose sketches of ten of my favorite paintings for a painting class assignment. On a cloudy Saturday, I made my way to the MET with nothing more than my sketchbook, a pack of art pens, and my wallet.

I knew the MET was every New York artist’s dream but I discovered that the MET is also an escape from reality, a passage through different times and places. In one room I was a Christian from the 16th century. In another I was a French child playing on the shores of the Seine. 

One Egon Schiele sketch captivated me: “Girl 1918.” It was not a grand painting or sculpture, but a simple sketch of a nude girl, leaning over the arm of a chair on her right side, in a somewhat sitting, somewhat lying posture, as she stares forward, relaxed and mouth slightly opened, towards the unseen artist Schiele. I pictured myself as this girl in this tranquil position.

As I sketched the complexities of the girl’s human form, I realized why this specific nude sketch stood out to me. Prior to visiting the MET, I was recovering from a messy breakup. An ex had been out of my life for about four months. But for some reason, whether out of loneliness or hatred, he decided to drag me down on the internet. I found myself in the same heartbroken, mistreated funk I had been in four months ago. When I saw “Girl 1918,” I had found an art piece that reflected my disheartened state and vulnerability.

Immersed in the early stages of my sketch, I had to get up from the bench and move closer to work to mimic the exact lines and movement Schiele achieved. Suddenly, I heard a man from behind me ask if I wanted to borrow a pencil. I guess he had seen that I was sketching with pens. I accepted his offer and started again on my sketch, finishing just as the man returned. When I gave him back his pencil, the man complimented my work and I was overjoyed. I had felt what the girl had felt.

I saw many more resonating art pieces. Otto Friedrich’s “Scherzo” (1913) displays nude children playing on a beach, and it reminded me of my joyous, carefree upbringing in the islands. Instead of the flowery subjects on that flower-speckled beach Friedrich painted, I thought of my friends and family in place of the flowers. 

The following Saturday, I went on another adventure, this time not alone. My friends and I went to Central Park right before sunset. We watched as the sun descended behind the skyscrapers in the distance, so far away from us as we perched on this boulder revealing the green expanse before us. It felt nice to be surrounded by trees, which seemed to envelope us, completely hiding our views of the city. This is forest bathing in New York City. Forest bathing, for those of you that haven’t heard of it, is the Japanese therapeutic practice of shinrin-yoku, when one becomes connected to nature through one’s senses. 

I spied a man playing a beautiful string instrument underneath an old yet beautiful tree. His music seemed to be an extension of that tree into another art form, from living to musical. I wish I had money to give to him. Live music, no matter the kind, touches my soul, especially when it seems to be an embodiment of Central Park itself.

My time at the MET and Central Park were moments of healing. Those paintings reminded me that although heartbreak has remained through mankind’s history, love of oneself, of art, and friends has lasted as well. Being surrounded by people that make you laugh like a child. Being immersed in nature is the best medicine for a a funk. New York can be a very busy place, so it’s nice to find those special places where you can chill and regain your composure; don’t let the fast pace knock you off your feet.

  1. If you’re feeling down, go connect with some art.
  2. Whenever you need relief, venture to nature spots and connect with the Earth.
  3. If these don’t relate to you, then there are a million other options that will bring you peace, joy, or comfort.

By Solana Joan Suazo


Solana is a freshman at NYU Steinhardt, studying art and psychology. Solana spends many hours walking around lower Manhattan with her friends, sketching in the park, or finding new inspirations for her art around the city. When she isn’t playing volleyball or meditating, she’s usually watching Game of Thrones with her roommate, daydreaming about California beaches and buys, or painting a new picture for art class. She loves coffee, chocolate, and ramen, of course.

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 encourage 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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Why is the Campus Clipper Student Guide Right For Me?

Wednesday, August 14th, 2013

As a college student in New York, you’re constantly busy. You probably have an internship, a job, a social life, essays to write, homework to do, an on top of that, classes that you actually have to go to sometimes. The one big thing you’re definitely avoiding while taking care of all of these other things? Your finances.

It’s difficult! New York is an exciting city, and you’re extremely lucky that you get to spend your four years of college here. You might be a person who likes to go to concerts, or see your favorite comedians, or you might just enjoy going to a bookstore and splurging on books. Whatever your vice may be, there’s too much to do and see while you’re living here.

Campus Clipper is the best way for a student to not have to skimp on the fun stuff. You’ll get savings on things like school supplies, copy shops, textbooks, food, even spas and dry cleaning. That way, when your favorite band comes to town, you don’t have to say no.

The best thing about Campus Clipper: it’s free! We’re going to provide our new fall student guide and coupons absolutely free of charge. So whether you need props for your student film shoot, or a little relaxation time with friendsCampus Clipper is the best choice for your Manhattan lifestyle.

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Erin O., NYU

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