NYU Needs to Step it Up
As a native New Yorker, I was thrilled to begin my education at New York University (NYU). The prospect of attending such a prestigious institution and benefiting from renowned professors and networking opportunities filled me with excitement. However, the start of my college journey was far from ideal. I commenced my freshman year in the fall of 2020, the first official semester back to in-person learning after schools initially transitioned to remote instruction that spring. Beginning my college experience remotely, especially at a university with a campus that already lacked a sense of community, left me feeling isolated. I distinctly recall navigating this new chapter largely on my own, with a noticeable absence of mental health support from the institution. I believe NYU could have done more to alleviate this sense of loneliness and isolation among students. Thankfully, as the spring semester of my freshman year progressed, things gradually returned to normalcy. By my sophomore year, I felt like I was finally finding my footing. However, I faced additional challenges, including juggling multiple jobs and internships while maintaining full-time student status. Food insecurity also became a significant concern, as I could only afford the minimum meal plan offered by the school. I found myself rationing my meals until my biweekly paychecks from various jobs arrived. Unfortunately, I only learned about resources like the school’s food pantry and gift cards for students facing food insecurity later on. NYU should have made this vital information more readily available to students like me. In my junior year, I became a Resident Assistant (RA), which greatly contributed to my sense of belonging and community. Through my involvement in residential life, I forged meaningful connections and friendships. However, the RA position also added considerable responsibilities to my plate. Many RAs at NYU, myself included, juggled multiple jobs on top of our RA duties and academic workload. Balancing work and personal life proved challenging, especially when living where we worked. Feeling constantly on call due to our daily interactions with residents and the community further exacerbated this challenge. Additionally, as RAs, we often carried emotional burdens as residents confided in us about their own struggles. I strongly believe that NYU should provide more support for student workers and prioritize setting boundaries to ensure a healthier work-life balance. It’s crucial for the institution to demonstrate care and support for its student employees, acknowledging the challenges they face and providing resources to alleviate their burdens. Eishika is a senior at NYU Gallatin and a NY Young Advocate. She is interested in issues of K-12 education, higher education affordability, and mental health.