You know you've been an NYU student for at least a year when you try your best to avoid the crowds in front of Silver at 12:15 pm. In fact, you know it isn't your first year at NYU when you strategically plan your schedule to avoid 8 am's. How we all woke up before 7 am in high school (and survived an 8 hour day) is still beyond me..
You see those posts that state "you know you're an NYU student when.." and you smile because the points in the article are way too accurate. It's crazy how a school as large as this one can connect in the smallest ways (from complaining about how far Mercer is at 9:30 am to understanding the beauty of the free bus system). Only at NYU would there be a Starbucks located 2 blocks away from each other and only at NYU would both be filled with people at all times during the day. Aside from recognizing that NYU is a home amid a sea of buildings (yes, my classes are right across a crawfish restaurant and in between a pub and a pizza shop), can we see that there are a few signs that indicate that you've been at this school for at least a year?
1. Registering for classes is never fun or easy.
Even after years of using Albert, there is nothing more frustrating than the 2 hours before and after your registration time. The class that you wanted? Filled. The class needed to complete your major? Filled. The class that requires 4 prerequisites at 8 AM on Friday's? Open.
*Checks again a week later and all are closed instead*
2. Do I know you?
It's the fall semester of your third year and you run into that one friend you haven't seen since freshman year. Do you think they remember you from Welcome Week? Throwback to that moment when you both had no idea what was going on but somehow tried to play it cool.
3. Trying to use your NYU discount to its advantage and getting the "No, I'm sorry, it doesn't apply here" response at almost every store you go into.
*Goes to Trader Joe's and asks if everything can be free because you're an NYU student who just needs to eat* A for effort right?
4. Recognizing how everyone here accepts one other.
Here, we stand tall with one another and we most definitely do not let hate overpower our love for each other. Peaceful protests in Washington Square Park is just the beginning of how strong our campus is together.
5. Finally meeting a group of friends who understand you.
Freshman year was a strange time in that people were everywhere at all times, so to find a solid group of close friends felt a lot harder than expected. NYU also made it a bit hard because of how spread out the campus was, but once you met the right people - the campus seemed to be just the right size.
Through it all, I can't imagine myself anywhere else. NYU may not have the game days that most state schools have, but we do have the heart of Manhattan. The people here are incomparable to any other school, the vibe is one of a kind, and this vigorous city is home to a myriad of personalities. We have all learned to grow up quickly as we were thrown into the adult work from day 1. From the night outs on the town to the busy weekday mornings, there isn't a better place to call home. To call New York my new home is still a dream and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.
NYU has given me what I never would have expected to have received: love, friendships, opportunities, confidence, hope, and endless possibilities.
