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!