By Chana Wakslak, Senior Business Editor and Business Manager
Marriage changes a lot of things, and being a student at Stern College for Women while married is no exception. To be fair, I haven’t had the experience of catching the 8 AM shuttle just yet, but after being a married Stern girl for a few months, I feel I’ve gained some insight into what it’s like for those of us who are navigating this new chapter of life.
I got married earlier this school year, and my entire college experience has shifted as a result. My priorities have naturally evolved – late-night study sessions and extracurriculars don’t quite hold the same weight anymore. Instead, I’ve found myself focusing on the demands of marriage, balancing schoolwork and trying to manage this new life stage.
My last year at Stern was great. I joined teams and clubs and met lots of new people. I had time to get lunch and dinner with friends, to explore New York City, or join the Broadway club for a show. I loved every minute of it. To me, truly taking advantage of this stage meant diving in, spending time focused on school, friends and having fun.
I see so many people rushing toward marriage, which is wonderful in its own time. But I have to say, being at Stern while married is different in ways I didn’t fully expect. The key is to embrace the experience of being at Stern before you’re married. Take in everything the school offers, from the social opportunities to the personal growth moments, while you can.
Being a commuter and not living on campus, it’s even more of a challenge to take full advantage of Stern’s unique environment, but it’s still incredibly valuable. I no longer have the time for late night chills in the dorms or to go out on the town. I can’t dedicate the same number of hours to a team or other club commitment.
So, my advice? Don’t rush. Don’t be in such a hurry to get to the next stage that you miss out on where you are right now. Stern can truly be enjoyed and experienced to its fullest when you’re single and still finding your path.
As I walked through the familiar doors of the 245 building at the start of the fourth week of classes, it felt both the same and yet profoundly different. This is my second year at Stern, but that Monday in late September felt like I was entering an entirely new chapter. I had walked through those same doors hundreds of times before, yet now it felt unfamiliar. The difference between my entire first year at Stern and this one was rooted in a single word – a word that changes everything for a handful of women at YU: married.
For the first time, I was stepping onto campus as a married woman, and it transformed the entire experience.