Back to School Week series

On September 3, 2000, my life changed forever. It was the day I moved into the dorm for my freshman year of college. I went to Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y. and it was my first time living away from home.

I loved college, but it was definitely a huge adjustment, going from living with my parents and sister to living on campus -- and in a dorm -- with roommates I barely knew.

The upside was loving my studies and meeting some amazing friends ...


Here's me and my friend Gina freshman year, with incredibly silly makeshift Halloween costumes


With old friends (Jessica) and new friends Jen and Val on the train headed to a DMB concert in NYC


Being silly with one of my good guy friends Rob ... can you tell we liked giving each other that look?


With Val, still one of my closest girlfriends to this day ... can't believe this pic is almost 11 years old!


With Christan, Gina and Val, friends & roommates, at a concert we booked at the campus coffeehouse

(All images courtesy of NYC Recessionista)

Anyway, this week I'll be taking a look at some of the things I'd do differently if I was starting college now ... how I'd decorate my dorm, what technology I'd be coveting, and what I'd be wearing / carrying around campus.

Enjoy and hope everyone has a great first week back at school!