East Coast Ramblings of a West Coast Girl

I don't know if many of you have heard, but there was a suicide recently in the Water Street dorms.

As much as I wish I could have avoided speaking about the subject, it seems somewhat necessary for this blog. I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but this is the second suicide that has taken place in our school in this semester---and it's hopefully the last.

A few years ago, in the 2003-04 school year, five students jumped to their deaths, with another suicide in 2004. Soon after these events, the school was known for its infamous "diving team," and NYU sealed off the balconies of each floor of their beautiful library, as well as windows in every residence hall (as they only open 4-5 inches).

The news about this recent suicide was in a very short article by the Washington Square News. The parents of the student wanted to give very little information, which is, of course, understandable in every way. Coping with a death is difficult for the parents and for the NYU community because it's a difficult concept to grapple with.

New York can be a very scary place. There's no doubt that it can be (I'm not saying it always is, but it has its moments) very impersonal and the people can be rude and pushy. Most of us don't know what it's like to live in a city, let alone one of the biggest and busiest metropolitans in the world. Most of us have come from suburban towns and we tell other people we're from the big city we live "only 20 minutes away from."

In a new environment like this, we are often caught off-guard and we wonder why we ever chose to move out here. I know that when I first moved to the city, I was incredibly overwhelmed. Who knew that I had to walk so far, so long? It's brutal, I'll admit: it's brutal to not only adjust to new college life, but to adjust to life without your parents, and to live in this somewhat disillusioned city.

This is why you should read my blog. No, seriously. You guys out there in the West Coast right now, coming to the East Coast next year...I know what you guys have gone through/what you guys will go through. Don't forget, I'm from the very suburban Diamond Bar. I've been intimidated, I've had to take time to adjust too. You know, especially with the winter coming, if you guys are feeling a little bad, feel free to chat me up: jj766 @ nyu.edu. I've lots of remedies. And, honestly, no one knows more than I do about this drastic weather change. I've actually spent significant time in Las Vegas for the past three years during winter. So, you know, you can't get any warmer than that.

Anyway, I hope I wasn't too preachy. I just wanted to make sure you know that (this is going to be way too corny) you make your college experience what you want it to be. You decide what you want to take, what you don't want to take; it's all about y-o-u. Don't make this once-in-a-lifetime experience get you down. It'll be stressful, sure, that's expected. But, if you don't acknowledge your own potential of success and happiness, you're just putting unnecessary burden on your shoulders.

If you're not happy, or scared, or anxious, sit back, deep breath. Talk to your friends, go to the park. Eat chocolate! Just don't dwell on it too long, because it turns into unwanted weight.

Now on the brighter side, as I've mentioned before, the weather is changing rapidly.

It is now night when it's only 5:00 PM.

It's depressing.

My cure? ...Watch to find out: