NJ → NY: New York Transplant Tips & Tricks

George Washington Bridge

 

Hi everyone!

My name is Melinda and I am one of the newest additions to the Admissions Blog! I am very excited to be a part of this wonderful platform to share my experiences as an FIT student with you all.

As the title suggests, I am a New York transplant. What does this mean? I was born and raised outside of the metro area and found my way into the Big Apple. I grew up in Central New Jersey and moved to New York City to study Advertising and Marketing Communications, which is part of the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology at FIT. For starters, the transition from high school to college is not an easy one. Although the city is not foreign to me, since my parents are native New Yorkers, I learned very quickly that the transition from suburbia to an urban setting also requires getting used to. Here are my top 3 tips and tricks to ease your transition to New York City:

1. Learn Mass Transit: When I moved to Chelsea, I had a fear of the subway because I didn’t know how to use it; as a result, I walked EVERYWHERE. Although navigating on foot is doable, it is not the most efficient. Take advantage of the off-campus tours during New Student Orientation, like group trips to Times Square, Soho and the Brooklyn Bridge, to feel-out what it is like to travel like a New Yorker. Also, download transit apps like Moovit for subway/train/bus directions or utilize the MTA website for additional schedules and services. (The 1 is the 7th avenue local train, which you will use frequently!)

2. Plan and Prioritize: Making a personal schedule for classes, appointments, events etc. and to-do lists for homework assignments each week will save you stress and time wasted. Purchasing a planner prior to classes will also prevent procrastination and force you to stay organized (especially if it’s super cute!) My suggestion is to complete classwork the day of or day after class to check-off assignments from your list that are fresh in your head.

3. Get Involved: You are not alone; every new student at FIT is in the same boat. Meeting new people, adjusting to classes and balancing a social life with an academic life is heavy on everyone’s plate. Here are some options to further immerse yourself in the FIT community:

  • Clubs: There are 50+ clubs on campus that cater to student’s majors and personal interests. Plan to attend the club fair that will take place a couple of weeks into school. This is an easy way to meet new people with shared interests. You can even create your own club too!
  •  Publications: WFIT (TV Broadcast/Radio), W27 (Newspaper) and Blush Magazine (Beauty and Fashion Magazine) all offer an insightful platform to share your voice with the FIT community regarding topics related to FIT, social issues, lifestyle etc.
  •  The Student Volunteer Community Service (SVCS): This service, which is offered through the Department of Student Life, provides students with volunteer opportunities at Fashion Week, community events, etc. This is ideal to gain industry experience and to make a difference in your community.
  •  Leadership: Build leadership skills at Leadership Weekend or attend the Leadership Workshop Series to learn how to effectively communicate as a leader. Also, participate in Impact Day by giving back to local organizations in NYC. This is a great way to represent FIT and to learn and grow as a leader on campus.

Learning how to use mass transit, prioritizing and getting involved on campus has made my experience at FIT an amazing one. I hope these tips help as you transition into New York City.

Let me know in the comments below what your thoughts are, as well as what you would like me to write about for my next post!

Always,

Melinda

2 replies on “NJ → NY: New York Transplant Tips & Tricks”

    1. Thanks so much! I’m glad you liked it. Any suggestions for my next article that you’d like to see?

Comments are closed.