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THE HOW TO ISSUE City life can be confusing. Here’s how to make it work for you. WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 95 | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

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Washington Square News November 18, 2013

Transcript of WSN111813

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THEHOW

TO

ISSUE

City life can be confusing. Here’s how to make it work

for you.

WASHINGTONSQUARENEWS

Vol. 41, No. 95 | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

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ON THE SIDE COMPILED BY THE WSN STAFF

2 NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

GOT AN EVENT? EMAIL US AT [email protected] OR TWEET US @NYUNEWS. GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? EMAIL US AT [email protected].

Editor-in-Chief JONATHON DORNBUSH

Managing Editor

JORDAN MELENDREZ

Web Managing Editor

HANQING CHEN

Creative DirectorLYANNE NATIVIDAD

Blog EditorAMY ZHANG

Special Issues DirectorKALEEL MUNROE

SENIOR STAFFnews EMILY BELL, NICOLE BROWN, MICHAEL DOMANICOinvestigative KAYANA JEAN-PHILIPPEarts JEREMY GROSSMANfeatures JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOUsports FRANCISCO NAVASmultimedia JONATHAN TANcopy CASEY DALRYMPLEsocial media GENTRY BROWNsenior editors VERONICA CARCHEDI, TONY CHAU, DAN HINTON, MICHELLE LIM, STEFAN MELNYK, SAM RULLO, WICY WANG

DEPUTY STAFFnews KEVIN BURNS, NEELA QADIR, BILLY RICHLING books/theater DYLAN JARRETTfilm ALEX GREENBERGERentertainment ISABEL JONESmusic JAKE FOLSOMthe highlighter blog VALERIE NELSONfeatures MARINA ZHENG beauty & style ARIANA DIVALENTINOdining DANIEL YEOMsports CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANOmultimedia RACHEL KAPLAN, JOON LEEvideo ALEX LINZMEIER

OPINION PAGEopinion editor RAQUEL WOODRUFFdeputy opinion editors EDWARD RADZIVILOVSKIY,PETER KEFFER

ADVERTISING BUSINESS MANAGERELLEN MCQUEEN

CIRCULATION MANAGERCHLOE COFFMAN

SALES MANAGERALISON LIZZIO

PROMOTIONS MANAGERKALEEL MUNROE

UNIVERSITY AND ALUMNI COORDINATORCLAIRE MAHANY

SALES REPRESENTATIVESARIANA DIVALENTINO, ETHAN JACOBS

ADVISING

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

NANCI HEALY EDITORS-AT-LARGE

JAEWON KANG, AMANDA RANDONE, EMILY YANG

About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods.

Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Jordan Melendrez at [email protected] or at 212.998.4302.

NYUNEWS.COM

WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

NYUNEWS.COM EXCLUSIVES

Violets start off basketball season with bang The team kicked off with a win in the NYU Basketball Tip-Off Tournament. Violets jumped out to an early lead and then ended the game with a win at 80-63.

Kennedy’s assassination does not define his legacy With the 20th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination nearing, critics must not consider his presidency a failure.

Victoria anticipates second EP Tisch senior Kiah Victoria, a student in the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, is set to release her second EP “Gravitate,” on

Tuesday, Nov. 19. Victoria wrote the songs on the EP while she was studying in Berlin, Germany, which influenced the sound.

NYU Poly hosts Hackathon finals The winners have been decided. After five Cyber Security Awareness Week competitions where students from various universities competed for cash prizes and scholarship awards. Check out our online article for details.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

and we’re sitting on our dorm room floor, exams forgotten, essays abandoned and problem sets cast aside, trying to piece together the rest of our lives.

Some of us want to believe we have everything figured out, and some of us are still grappling with where we’re going. No matter where we are in our

college careers, it’s hard to believe how fast four years can fly by.

While there are hundreds of advice pamphlets and blog posts about how to navigate a college experience locked away inside the four walls of a grassy

college compound, not as much exists for what an NYU student might call a college experience. That’s because we chart our own college experience in the city instead of letting it be defined by the confines of a college campus.

IT’S 5 A.M. ON A MONDAY NIGHT

In these pages, we try to unpack the day-to-day struggles of being a student in the city into digestible nuggets. We’re asking the questions that we all face at one point or another wandering around Washington Square Park, from how to fit into the fabric of the city to how to carve your own career path. We’re trying to offer our best tips to the crammers at Bobst Library on how to stay up all

night and how to avoid the ill-planned schedule you may have set this semester. We’re trying to bring people together as we ponder how to connect with

professors, how to build a student club and where to start a romance in the city.

The ideas in this issue are more than words printed on paper — they’re a call to action for us all to become more in touch with the city and the thousands of people around us. We don’t have all the answers, but just like everyone else,

we’re looking for them.

Hanqing ChenWEB MANAGING EDITOR

Kaleel MunroeSPECIAL ISSUES DIRECTOR

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By CASEY DALRYMPLE

Eventually — through poor planning or a difficult schedule — it will happen to you. Your homework and other obliga-tions will stack up, and the deadlines will creep closer and closer until they are tomorrow and you have no other op-tions. You’ll have to pull an all-nighter.

DRINK YOUR COFFEEA rookie mistake is to over-caffeinate. Think twice before chugging down energy drinks. If you consume your vitamin C all at time, you may become jittery instead of developing a healthy, focusing buzz. Those jitters will cause you to crash later when staying up is truly imperative.

CHANGE YOUR SCENERYA change in venue can do wonders when it’s crunch time. Being in a focused environment — your dorm’s study lounge, the basement of Bobst, the common space of your apartment or house — can translate to actually being focused, which makes the work easier. Moving around can also help break up writer’s block for when an essay is due in six hours.

DINING DOLLARSKeep in mind that Dining Dollars are not simply for dining. Third North’s Quick Stop and Upstein offer toi-letries, laundry detergent, cold medicine, air freshener and other items for dorm life. They are also stocked with refrigerator staples like Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, packs of Red Bull, bread, milk and other grocer-ies. While Dining Dollars roll over from the fall to the spring semester if you keep your meal plan, make sure to have some saved up for finals time each semester.

PACK YOUR TO-GO BOXWhen you grab your meal plan to-go, pack a couple extra slices of pizza and pick up some apples and oranges so you don’t have to swipe again later in the day. Also, those paper cups can hold cereal, soup, peanut butter, goldfish and other foods, making them a great way to stock up on snacks.

DINING SPECIALSTired of the traditional fare at your local dining hall? Keep your eyes open for special events at the dining halls, including a Nacho Bar on Nov. 19 at Hayden dining hall and a State Fair theme taking over Third North courtyard cafe. And don’t forget about Pal-ladium food court’s famous weekly Sunday brunch. Most dining halls will also feature rotating Restaurant Nights.

BE GENEROUSMeal plans can lead to new friends and even earn new mentors. Weekly meal plans roll over on Satur-day nights, so make new friends by cashing in your extra meals at Dunkin Donuts for friends or feeding an upperclassmen with no meal plan. Feed a hungry classmate by contacting the NYU Meal Swipes Face-book page and putting your meal swipes up for grabs.

HOW TO: EFFECTIVELY USE YOUR MEAL PLANS

By KLEIN ALEARDI

ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON? Some people are up with the sun every morning, but for others, barely rolling out of bed is a tremendous effort. Consider which type you are

when scheduling your classes.

WILL YOU WORK? For people who don’t want to find themselves without spend-ing money, you’ll want to take into consideration the hours you will be working. In these

cases, the best strategy would be to block your classes — schedule all of your classes in the morn-ing to have a few hours to work.

DON’T OVERWHELM YOURSELFThe most important step in compiling a schedule is to be honest about what you can handle. Don’t take four of the hardest classes of your college

career in one semester — you’re only guarantee-ing yourself a tough four months. Think about the work load before finalizing your schedule.

LOOK OUT FOR THE TEACHERA teacher can make or break a class, so you want to be sure to choose a good one. Talk to ot-her students, or even keep rate-myprofessor.com open while scrolling through Albert. Take

note of the hotness rating — having a professor that is easy on the eyes is scientifically proven to improve learning in the classroom.

CONSIDER YOUR COMMUTENot everyone can live two min-utes from Washington Square Park — for some of us, on-campus housing still means classes can be only a bus ride away. If you have a long com-

mute to class, don’t pick an 8 a.m. and don’t space your classes out unless you want to spend all day trapped on campus.

HOW TO: PLAN OUT CLASSES TO SUIT YOUR SCHEDULE

HOW TO: BUILD STRONGER BONDS WITH PROFESSORS

PARTICIPATE IN CLASSYou pay tuition, so you should reap all of college’s benefits, even if that means you are the only student in class who answers a professor’s ques-tions or participates in discussions. While the rest of the class stares lifelessly at the professor or just bla-tantly nods off into oblivion, you will be cultivating a strong relationship with your professor.

By MICHAEL FRAZIER Whether you’ve had good experiences

in the past, building relationships with professors is an important part of a col-lege experience. From seeking extra assis-tance outside of class to asking for a let-ter of recommendation, forming bonds with your professors is worth more than a class grade.

HOW TO: PLAN SUCCESSFUL, EFFICIENT ALL-NIGHTERSBEWARE OF YOUR BEDAs the midnight oil burns, and you inevitably become bleary-eyed, a long nap can seem like a tempting, almost logical option. Instead, lie down for a short time to recharge. Try to actually limit yourself to 15 to 30 minute naps. Anything more than that, and you’ll just wind up more tired than you started.

CARDIOIf you’re still feeling groggy, do some cardio — jumping jacks or arm twirls. When you blood starts pumping, you’re less inclined to want to lie down. An object in motion stays in motion.

POWER IN NUMBERSStaying up all night can be demoralizing. A friend can help you through to dawn, keep you focused, remind you of what’s at stake and point out that you will, more likely than not, survive. And you can do the same for him or her. Think of the entire night as a bonding experience.

Above all, don’t abuse the all-nighter. It is a powerful weapon — the most powerful in the procrastinator’s arsenal — but like all weapons, it is not to be abused.

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GO TO OFFICE HOURSNever be ashamed if you need to at-tend office hours because you missed class or do not understand a concept. Devoting some of your personal time to learn shows a professor you care about the class and your education, and it says a lot about your charac-ter. The professor will be elated that you came to their office hours, but re-member to be punctual if you make an appointment.

HOW TO: OVERCOME MIDCOLLEGE CRISES

By ARIANA DIVALENTINO

Take a walk around Bobst Li-brary on most nights and you may see at least one strained stu-dent fighting back tears. The pres-sure of school-work, internships and extracurricu-lars is difficult enough when it is gratifying. When it isn’t, it can be suffocating. If you find yourself sur-rounded by empty cups of black cof-fees, waist-deep in work, asking yourself, “Why am I even doing this?” it might be time for a change.

I don’t think a single one of my friends is going to end up grad-uating with the same degree and life plan he or she had in mind when he or she started college. More than one pre-med biology major freshman has transformed into a senior finishing his or her English degree, and vice versa. Chang-ing your mind about your ma-jor even five times in one year isn’t unheard of, a claim to which I personally can attest. As impossible as it may seem at first, rerouting your college and career plans can be a liber-ating experience.

Sometimes friends and fam-ily know you better than you know yourself. Always try talking through your con-cerns with the people you trust and who care about you. Your loved ones, naturally, want the best for you and can provide an incredible source of strength when you’re feel-ing lost and unsure of your-self. Steer clear of naysayers, however — there’s a differ-ence between giving difficult but helpful advice and being negative and closed-minded. Often, those who are trying to be supportive only end up

advising against a major life change because of precon-ceived notions they hold, ei-ther of you or of your career choices. This process can re-sult in obstacles that only add to the stress of your midcol-lege crisis. Parents are no-toriously guilty of this. The best you can do is explain the weight this alteration will lift off your shoulders — and gen-tly remind them that you’re an adult now, making your own adult decisions.

Once you’re more or less con-vinced you need to go through with change, logistics become the next step. If what you’re

considering is a change of major, talk to your advi-sor or someone in the department you hope to join to see if it’s aca-demically possible to still graduate on time. The earl-ier you are in your academic career, the easier a switch will be. If it’s look-ing unlikely, and staying an extra semester or two is not a financial possibility for you, consider making a smaller change, like picking up a minor. However, some changes of career don’t even require a different degree. If you have skills and a will-ingness to learn, nearly any type of

career is within reach. Consid-er dropping by the Wasserman Center for Career Develop-ment for help with restructur-ing your resume and looking for internship opportunities. Ultimately, only certain fields require a specific degree and most can be broken into with proper experience. College can be a testament to your abil-ity to work hard, utilize skills and accomplish something. Your major can only count for so much.

The truth is that no matter what common wisdom tells you, any career you could pos-sibly choose will have its own collection of ups and downs, and hard work is inevitable. If you’re not devoting all those hours pouring over books, job applications and eventually the trials of post-college life for something you care deeply about, you simply won’t be satisfied. College is the time to take risks — if it feels like something’s missing, now is the time to take a deep breath, be fearless and make a change.

Learn how to deal with the decision to change your major and how to take the most advantage of your time in college.

AS IMPOSSIBLE

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CAREER PLANS CAN

BE A LIBERATING

EXPERIENCE

HOW TO: CREATE YOUR OWN STUDENT CLUBS

By DEBORAH LUBANGA

It may not be common kno-wledge that Carleton College is home to the Moustache Club or that the University of Min-nesota encourages the classic past time of creeping with the Campus People Watchers Club. Similarly, the Digni-fied Educated United Crust Eaters Society, which has a thriving chapter at Western Michigan University, was no-ticeably absent at this year’s Club Fest. At NYU, facial hair aficionados, people-watching connoisseurs or fans of pizza crust have no formal place to gather for the purposes of sharing their grooming tech-niques, spying tactics or eat-ing habits. However, there is no need to transfer to one of these universities to join such clubs. Instead, be proactive and fill the club-related void in your NYU life by starting your own.

Club applications are due in October, and while this year’s deadline has passed, you have plenty of time to plan ahead. And deciding how your first general meeting will run is not something to take lightly. If you have an idea for a new club, familiarize yourself with the New Club Development Pro-gram. Organized by the Student Activities Board, this mandato-ry program helps clubs through the inaugural year and includes a step-by-step process on how to be a university-recognized club.

Prospective clubs in the

NCDP are expected to pro-duce clear statements about the prospective club’s mis-sion and uniqueness, both of which should explain the goals and objectives of the club to distinguish it from existing organizations. Throughout the school year, the SAB will monitor the club as it functions on a trial-basis. In the spring, the SAB will conduct a fi-nal evaluation to determine whether the club will be-come official.

While not much can be done in terms of starting a club this school year, if you have an idea to fill a gap in the current roster of clubs, start laying the groundwork to increase the club’s likeli-hood of becoming a fully-fledged, SAB-approved club next year. Start gathering the required 100 signatures in support of the club now to save time later. Moreover, make sure to stay in contact with the individuals who sign the petition — your club could potentially start with 100 members. Consider re-serving some space around campus to host informal in-terest meetings. Take advan-tage of the many NYU-related Facebook groups to engage in some shameless self-pro-motion. Be interesting and capture the spirit of your club with a funny video or picture. And if all else fails, remember if you offer food, students will come.

EMBRACE ONLINE COMMUNICATION Keep an open line of communica-tion between you and your professor by emailing them articles and videos pertaining to the topics discussed in class. It may sound like additional work, but you can learn more by en-gaging in intelligent conversations outside the classroom or continuing a thought that might have been halted because of time restraints.

DO THE WORKThis should go without saying, but do the work your professors assign you. You cannot participate in class or know where to start when writ-ing an email to your professor if you are unaware of current class topics. It is easy to fall into the background of the class or lose fo-cus, but this causes you to fall into the background of your professor’s mind as well.

COMMUNICATION IS KEYOne of the most important things to remember about building a re-lationship with a professor is com-munication. Talk to your professors and treat them as you would treat a friend you respect — within reason. But not all conversations with pro-fessors need to be about class. They are people who have a life outside the classroom too, and professors have a lifetime of experiences that could help you learn.

UNIQUE ALL-SQUARE CLUBS

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Scuba Dive & Snorkel Club

Cheese Club at NYU

Sweet Side of LifeTea & Philosophy

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By FRANK NAVAS

Saying that adjusting to NYU was hard for me is an understatement. I was alien-ated, lost and foreign to every portion of the experience when I arrived — the food, the language, the culture and the weather.

You could say that I’ve forced my-self to love it here. But freshman year, when everyone else seemed to have an unabashed obsession with the city, nothing in particular about New York attracted me. I was here for NYU, for the classes. But fitting in, finally feeling comfortable living in this city meant overcoming a few hurdles, including my fondness for home.

Hailing from Miami, my high school

was 98 percent Latino, one percent Asian, one per-cent other. The wonderful pastiche of warm culture there invited interaction with strangers. The bag lady at Publix, our local version of Gristedes, offers life advice in her heavy Cuban accent as she puts

your eggs under the gallon of milk. In New York, I found the forced silence

in the elevator upsetting. The expectation of distance irked me. But as an Argentine familiar with close interaction — we kiss other men when saying hello — I was able to adjust. I missed home, the freedom of speaking Spanish to the person next to me and picking up a cheap arepa at a gas station at 4 a.m. The closest thing I have found to arepa vendors are the halal trucks that line the streets in front of Pal-ladium food court — not exactly the same, but it would do.

Half of my day’s thoughts are re-lated to the weather as I brace for the city’s chilling winds. At home in Florida, an area in a constant state of tropical bliss, this was never a prob-lem. With that mindset going into last September at the beginning of my first fall in New York, I did not take the weather seriously.

I had heard that it got cold “for real” in November, but having lived in 80 de-gree Novembers for the last 12 years, that sounded improbable.

Then came the snow. I still did not have a winter jacket, and I froze over. So if you’re from the South or the al-

ways-sunny California, be prepared and take it seriously. I know fall and winter are elegant and you’re supposed to buy a peacoat to be a real New Yorker, but I would opt for a thick wool that will actually keep you warm rather than a puffy Moncler.

As strong as the longing for home might be, there are little ways to bridge

the gap. It takes time to adjust. I guess I faked it

until I finally made it. But it feels natural now. The easiest way out is to look for friends in familiar places. For me, it was sports. If you like soccer, head to Pier 40. All it takes is asking to hang out. It’s corny, but the smallest similarity in interests means great bonds can bud.

One NYU student’s take on adjusting city life and culture

HOW TO: FIND WHERE YOU FIT INTO NEW YORK CITY

I DID NOT TAKE THE WEAT-HER SERIOUSLY. I HAD HEARD THAT IT GOT COLD ‘FOR REAL’ IN NOVEMBER, BUT HAVING LIVED IN 80 DEGREE NOVEM-

BERS FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS IT SOUNDED IMPROBABLE.

HOW TO: FIND CHEAP, ENTERTAINING DATES THROUGHOUT NEW YORK CITY

By LARSON BINZER

MUSEUM AND PARKNew York City is home to some of the greatest muse-ums in the world, most of which are free for students, so take advantage of it. Pack a blanket, stroll through a museum and then snuggle up under a park tree to watch the sun set. The American Museum of Natural History or the Metropolitan Museum of Art cater to history buffs while the Museum of Modern Art has more to offer those with more modern interests. There’s even the Museum of Sex if you’re in more of a risqué mood. It’s not near Central Park, but the subway can bring you right there.

American Museum of Natural History: Central Park West at 79th StreetMetropolitan Museum of Art: 1000 Fifth Ave.MoMA: 11 W. 53rd St.Museum of Sex: 233 Fifth Ave.

JAZZ STANDARDFor fans of the New York City jazz scene, this is a perfect location for a relaxed date and great music. The Jazz Standard hosts a variety of shows each week with tick-ets ranging from $20-$35 ($5 off for students). On Mon-day nights, the club offers a special, including a student discount that brings the cost down to $12.50 for the sec-ond set. Although the food is delicious, it is a bit pricey, so

eat beforehand and go later to enjoy a late night vibe and smooth songs.Location 116 E. 27th St. Check-jazzstandard.com for concert times.

STATEN ISLAND FERRYAlthough it might seem a little cheesy, taking a half-hour ferry ride and watching the sun set over the Hudson River while holding your spe-cial someone’s hand could be a great pre-dinner activity. Plus, the ferry is free. Board the ferry with a departure time 10 to 15 minutes before sunset. Ferries run every 15 to 20 minutes in the evening. Find a place to eat on Staten Island or bring a romantic dinner to eat on the ferry.

Location: 1 Whitehall St. (take the R train) last train runs at 11:30 p.m., but you’ll want to catch one before sunset at about 4:30 p.m.

BATTERY PARKTake a trip to lower Manhat-tan and stroll through Battery Park. It offers beautiful green scenery and a clear view of the Statue of Liberty from the Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park. Or take a walk along South Cove for a quiet view of the har-bor, where you can explore the North Cove and its Sail-ing School or visit the Battery Park City Esplanade to watch a volleyball game. The park is a fun, romantic date spot for any couple. Also, the World Financial Center is filled with

cute places to eat for a bite be-tween your park adventures.Location: lower Manhattan (take the 4 or 5 train downtown and walk west)

BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSICWhether you’re interested in music, film, theater, dance or comedy, the Brooklyn Acad-emy of Music has something for you. Student rush tickets are only $10 if you arrive 90 minutes before showtime. So go, grab your tickets and then find a bite with your sweetie before enjoying a fantastic show.

Location: 30 Lafayette Ave. (take the Q train to the Atlantic Ave.-Barclays Center stop)

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HOW TO: PLAN, PREPARE FOR SEASONAL STORMSBy BRYNA SHUMAN

A little over a year ago, Hurricane Sandy struck the New York metropolitan area, leaving many students unequipped to deal with such a disaster. This year’s hurricane season may be over, but don’t be caught unprepared if any type of seasonal storm strikes.

PACK IT UPBefore a disaster hits, prepare a bag of important essentials in case your building loses power and evacuates. Pack a change of warm clothes. Keep important

documents, such as passports and birth certifi-cates, on you — otherwise, they could be lost in the event of flooding. Write down a list of emer-gency numbers so you have contacts if your phone dies. Also, remember to stock up on cash before the disaster hits. Although this might be coun-terintuitive, don’t worry too much about food or water. NYU will evacuate students to a building with a backup generator, where such necessities will be provided.

IN AND OF THE CITYNYU may not be your only re-source during the aftermath of a natural disaster. Take advantage of a local coffee shop to charge your electronics, or use your

neighborhood dumpling joint to provide you, for a price, with meals cooked in the dark when you grow tired of university-issued rations. On the bright side, past disaster situations have shown moments of altruism, too. Midtown apartments with power ran extension cords outside their buildings, inviting people to charge their phones. If you need help during a natural disaster, don’t be afraid to look around and ask. You never know who may be willing to help.

HOW TO: FIND GREAT EATS AROUND NYC FOR CHEAP

By CHANDLER WEST New York City’s renowned food scene is one of the most fascinating aspects of the city to explore. Unfortunately for some college students, budgets can often be as small as the city is large. Here are four places to find a satisfying meal without feeling guilty when you see the check.

CAFÉ ANGELIQUEAccepts credit cards

Café Angelique is an ideal place to grab coffee, pastries, lunch or breakfast. Its chai tea lattes are some of the best around. For breakfast, oatmeal with cinnamon, nuts and rai-sins only costs $3.75. If you’re in the mood for something more savory, they have mushroom omelet sandwiches for $5.10 or ham and swiss croissants for $4.20.49 Grove St. and 68 Bleecker St.

TAQUERIA DIANAAccepts credit cards Taqueria Diana is a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant with-delicious and authentic Mexican food. Taco prices range from $3 to $3.50. Burritos cost between $6.75 and $8.50, and come with a free horchata. The chicken quesadilla for $8.25 is a tasty option. The food fills you up fast, so don’t be surprised if you end up taking home leftovers.129 Second Ave. between East Seventh Street and St. Marks Place

JOE’S PIZZAAccepts credit cards It’s not surprising that Joe’s Pizza makes the list. Whether you go to the location at 7 Carmine St. or the Union Square spot by Palladium residence hall, you’re sure to enjoy the restaurant’s old-school New York City-style pizza. A slice of plain cheese pizza is $2.75, and a topping bumps it up $3.50.150 E. 14th St.

PEELSAccepts credit cards The atmosphere inside Peels makes it feel like you’re spending more money than you actually are. It’s an excellent brunch spot on another budget, especially if you go for the Build-A-Biscuit sandwiches, which start at $3.00 and can be completed with eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, avocado, cheese, gravy, fried chicken or a combination. Another menu standout is the shrimp & grits ($15.25), which is one of the more expensive options on the lunch menu, but the flavor is definitely worth the price.325 Bowery

HOW TO: ENJOY UNIQUE NEW YORK FESTIVITIES DURING HOLIDAY SEASON AWAY FROM HOME

By ADELINA ZHANG

Even if you’re feeling far from home this holiday season, you can find something in New York City to keep the homesickness at bay. The city celebrates the holiday season in a variety of festive and en-tertaining ways, so allow yourself to take in and spread the holiday spirit even if you are not at home with your family.

GO ICE SKATING IN BRYANT PARKLocated a few blocks away from Times Square is a large ice skating rink with free admission. If you don’t own ice skates, the cost is only $15 for a rental pair, making it the ideal night out or a romantic date. The Winter Village at Bryant Park also offers snacks and shopping kiosks to visit be-fore or after skating.

WATCH THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE Bundle up, head to Midtown and choose a spot to watch celebrities, music performers and colossal balloons pass by for the annual Macy’s Thanksgiv-

ing Day Parade. You can also see a sneak preview of the balloons while they are being inflated at the American Museum of Natural History the day be-fore Thanksgiving.

HIT THE SALES FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPINGThere are always great deals after Thanksgiving, so if you want to snatch up inexpensive retail items, then head up to Penn Station and take a train to Wood-bury Commons. But if you’re brave enough to with-stand crowds and are looking for a good deal on the latest technology, camp out at your local electronics store on Black Friday. Be sure to bring a friend, blan-kets, chairs and something to pass the time.

WATCH ‘THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR,’ STARRING THE ROCKETTESThe must-see show contains music and dance num-bers to put you in the holiday spirit. Tickets can be expensive, so take advantage of your student dis-count through NYU’s Ticket Central. You can pur-chase cheaper tickets on a convenient date when the venue might not be as crowded.

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