For me, the obsession all began freshman year of high school. I had every season of Gossip Girl on DVD and watched them on a constant loop (#tbt to a life without Netflix). The show took over my life and wardrobe causing me to make the unfortunate decision of wearing a headband everyday for a year. My plan was ineffective – I still looked nothing like Blair Waldorf, and I am pretty sure that my head now has permanent indentations.
But now here I am finally living in New York City and let’s just say that the NYU lifestyle does not exactly live up to “the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite.” Here’s why.
1. Your dorm room is about 1/6 of the size and 1/10 as nicely decorated as an Upper East Side penthouse.
To make matters worse it doesn’t even come with Dorota to clean up after you.
2. Hayden cookies are nowhere near as glamorous as Blair’s macarons.
*Starts petition for Ladurée to take Campus Cash*
3. You wish that everyone dressed like the characters on the show, but even you are tempted to wear sweatpants to class.
But the reality is, would you really be able to put together looks like this anyway? Probably not.
4. Frat parties are not particularly living up to your masquerade ball level aspirations.
You are that girl who is always just slightly overdressed for a night out.
5. The depressing realization that shopping is a luxury that a college student budget has very little room for.
Window shopping on your way to class can only make matters worse.
6. You are constantly reminded of your sufficient lack of a limo driver.
You resort to walking everywhere out of fear of your own Uber bill.
7. You realize that NYU is way bigger than Constance Billard and Saint Jude’s, and that having an NYU gossip girl would be nearly impossible.
Not sure if this is a good or bad thing. Let’s go with good.
8. Unfortunately moving to New York City did not magically turn your hair into Serena van der Woodsen’s.
I guess that nobody will ever be able to reach that level of perfection.
9. You dream of eating at all of the fabulous locations on the show but always end up in a dining hall.
Sometimes Downstein just isn’t cutting it. If only fancy restaurants were free (or took meal swipes).
10. You still haven’t met your Chuck Bass.
You are still hoping that you’ll find him the next time you swipe right on Tinder.
11. You have found that it is not really worth the subway ride to eat lunch on the steps of the Met.
If only we could move them to Washington Square Park.
12. And finally none of these beautiful men are currently students at NYU.
But don’t worry because NYU has been known to draw in a crowd of celebrities. There is still hope!
So yes, Gossip Girl has led us to unrealistic expectations and a little bit of disappointment, but really…