Blair Waldorf’s First Year at NYU VS Mine

Originally airing from 2007-2012, Gossip Girl is a classic teen drama set in New York City. Starring Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Chase Crawford, Ed Westwick, and Penn Bagdely, this show inspired a lot of viewers to explore the “New York lifestyle,” including myself. It had prompted me to consider the city, for the first time, as a prospective location for my future. 

In season three specifically, the main characters head off to college. Blair Waldorf, a wealthy heiress and Upper East Sider, attends NYU against her will, Despite her disinterest in the university, her semester at NYU is filled with couture fashion shows, limos, black tie balls, and walking miles in high-heeled shoes— which actual students know isn’t very authentic to the NYU life in reality. Therefore, I thought comparing my experiences from my freshman year to hers could offer some insight into the real NYU experience past what is shown on TV. Most importantly, I wanted to express that it’s okay if your first year at college isn’t what you see on TV! No one has a picture perfect first year, and not everyone’s experience is the same. There are a lot of learning curves and mistakes and that’s okay— not even Blair Waldorf had it all! 

To begin with, my first-day-of-class outfit consisted of white corduroy pants and a black long-sleeve shirt— not a Victoria Beckham red peplum set.

Some people at NYU really do dress up for class, in the sense that class sometimes feels more like a New York Fashion Week show than an academic setting. However, there are still plenty of people, like myself, who love to wear sweatpants to their 8ams, or just a simple jeans and a sweater combo to explore the city. 

Speaking of outfits, I walk between 8-10,000 steps a day, rain or shine. I find the best shoes for walking around are my Converse or sneakers. In Blair’s first semester, she wore heels everywhere she went- which is so impressive at a university where you are constantly on your feet!

NYU students are very diverse in terms of style— you will meet all types of people from different backgrounds with distinct tastes and ways of accessorizing. One thing I admire is that no student here feels ashamed to be themselves when it comes to fashion. I have seen everything from full fur suits to floor length dresses and heels all before 8am.

As for activities, while there are no weekly black tie galas, NYU does host a semi-formal called the Violet Ball! It may not be as elegant and glamorous as the events Blair and Serena frequent, but it is a great chance to dress up and go out with friends.

As for housing, Blair’s dorm room is straight out of a magazine. It’s filled with personalized painted walls, chandeliers, and a walk-in closet. Additionally, as many students may notice, it’s also twice the size of an actual NYU dorm room. Many freshman dorms here are very nice with lots of space to decorate— I lived at Lipton my freshman year and LOVED it— but no matter how nice any of the rooms I saw were, none of them were on this level.

While Blair spent most of her days scheming, NYU students actually attend classes. However, one thing she did get right is the lack of sleep between balancing internships, academics, and extracurriculars.  

Another aspect of NYU life that Gossip Girl represented accurately is the coffee shop meetings. So many group projects and study sessions occur at coffee shops all over the city. It’s almost a rite of passage at NYU.

In the show, Blair had a personal assistant. Dorota, who helped her with shopping, studying, and even scheming. And while I don’t have a personal assistant, I have met some of my best friends here who tag along with me while I do all of the above. My friends and I have explored the NYC and Brooklyn thrifting scene, the deepest corners of Bobst, and the most unique coffee shops, all while reminiscing on our first few weeks together and how much closer we have become since then. I don’t have someone to help with my laundry, but I do have some amazing friends who have lended a hand when I was overwhelmed and in over my head. The people I have met here have been pillars of strength and light in one of the most confusing and ever-changing times of my life. 

While Blair’s semesters at NYU felt like a prison sentence to her, I could not have had a more different experience. My first semesters at NYU were magical and freeing. I met so many new people from a diverse array of backgrounds, made new friends, and experienced all New York had to offer. Even though my first semester was not by any means glamorous—consisting of many nights spent camping in Bobst— I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!