Important Things You Learn As A Fordham Student (Outside The Classroom)

 1. New York City

Whether you come to Fordham as a New York native or having never stepped foot in the city before, every Fordham student graduates a proud New Yorker. You will learn the ins and outs of the Bronx, Manhattan, and even Brooklyn and be able to rattle off your favorite or go-to restaurants off the top of your head. The Subway? After a few missed stops and a couple mess-ups, you will soon be directing foreigners on their underground travelers. The D train will always have a spot in your heart and a favorite funny memory to go along with it. 

2. Great Italian food

 

Being right next to the famous Arthur Avenue, also known as “the real little Italy”, you will learn to appreciate real Italian food. From awarding winning eggplant parmesan at Mike’s Deli to a late night slice of Pugsley’s pizza to a one dollar mini cannoli at Palumbo’s bakery, you’re Italian food needs will be well exceeded. Hate to break it to you, but Olive Garden will never be the same.

3. How to live courteously with others

Dorm living forces you to be more aware of your surroundings (and your messy tendencies). You will learn to take care of your own belongings, in hopes that your friends do the same. Whether it is taking out the trash or simply not throwing your clothes all around the room, you will become more organized and learn to share the responsibility of cleaning.

4. Time management

Amidst your five classes and say for example-four clubs, a volunteer program, and need to exercise, socialize, and sleep- you will learn the importance of time management as a Fordham Student. In order to carve out time to hop onto the train and enjoy a beautiful day in Manhattan, you must plan ahead and in order to ensure your work gets done on time.  Especially in the month of April when class loads get heavier, the weather gets nicer, and Spring Weekend approaches, students learn to prioritize and balance work and fun schedules. 

5. Dressing for the weather

Living in New York you will learn how to dress for the weather. On a walk to class in below freezing weather in January, you will probably want gloves, a scarf, and a hat. And if you did not realize that the first time, the second time around you will be more prepared. On the flip side, as soon as the sun comes out in the spring you will be pulling out the summer clothes. 55 degrees in the spring= dressing for 70 degree weather and sitting on Eddie’s. 

6. Networking

Fordham prepares you for the real world. How to interview, send thank you notes, get internships, prepare a resume, and most importantly hot to network. Your classmates, your professors, and Fordham alumni all want to help each other out. Coming out of Fordham you will have an impressive LinkedIn profile and hundreds of new connections and be confident in job interviews.

7.  To Be Grateful

Perhaps the most important lesson you will learn at Fordham is to be grateful. Everyday as I walk around campus, I think of how lucky I am to be here. I thank my parents, my siblings, and all of my friends for helping me get to this point. This lesson will carry you through your life and make you really appreciate all that you have and all that you have accomplished. 

Not Gilty

Fordham is my school. New York is my campus. We are incessantly reminded of the opportunities our school’s location provides for us. But for many students, our ambitions often out stretch our bank accounts. Between financing the obvious basic college necessities, like books and supplies, and the other less obvious (but equally essential) oddities, ranging from command hooks to toilet paper, the budget of a college student leaves little room for excess expenditure. Decidedly, I’d love to spend a Sunday morning enjoying a post-yoga brunch in the East Village, but a swift check of my TD bank app crushes my hopes of satisfying this New York lifestyle…but does it have to?

Online services like Groupon, Gilt City, and Living Social prove that having a glimpse into a Carrie Bradshaw-esque lifestyle is not all that unattainable. These digital services provide members with discounted gift certificates for local businesses including restaurants, boutiques and fitness studios. The online accounts require no cost and prove user (and budget) friendly. For members, services usually ranging anywhere from 20-90% off the original price.   

Five classes at Bikram Harold Square cost me $49, over 50% off the price for other customers

With easily accessible apps and daily email threads, these online services not only provide student-friendly prices but also can serve as inspiration for a date-night or night out with friends. So if you’ve been feeling a little gilty about you’re spending already this year but still crave the pricey New York City air...check out these websites and their great finds!