5 Things I Learned About Myself in NYC That I Couldn’t Have in Gainesville

Raegan DiRenzo, MPMT ‘26, participated in CJCxNYC Immersive Fall 2025. 

As a college student, you might think you have it all figured out…until you move to New York City. The CJCxNYC program dropped me in the center of a self-discovery metropolis. Between navigating packed subways, fast-paced creative energy, and endless professional opportunities, I discovered lessons about who I am and what drives me that no classroom could teach. 

Here are five lessons about myself that only the New York City setting could have taught me:

I LOVE Big City Living 

Give me the noise, the crowds, the chaos — I’ll take it all. How could I possibly discover that I’m built for the bustle while living in my college town? My move to NYC helped me discover that I thrive in a city that never slows down. As someone whose mind is constantly buzzing at the speed of a New York minute, the big city energy made me feel right on pace. 

Living in New York City truly feels like the best parts of the world are at my fingertips. The culture, the people, the art, the food, the fashion — I crave it. Walking out my door knowing that anything can happen is so refreshing compared to how monotonous my routine was back home. Opportunities can arise when you least expect them, and New York has taught me to make every moment count. 

New York didn’t just change my surroundings; it changed my speed, my mindset, and my sense of possibility. Gainesville taught me structure, but New York gave me momentum. I came to the city hoping I would fit in with the locals, and I’ll leave having found a place that couldn’t possibly feel more like home.

I Crave Constant Inspiration

I always knew that art gave me a boost of inspiration. There was that buzz I would feel after watching a musical, the high I would ride after a dance class, and the introspection that consumed me after viewing a piece of art. However, I never knew how unsatisfied my craving for creativity was until I lived in the heart of artistic inspiration. 

I feel like the creative pulse of New York City has removed my brain fog and reignited my imagination. I had got into the habit of following linear paths. There was a set structure for the next five years of my life, for the next academic year, for the next 24 hours — I couldn’t see beyond the blinders of my plans. New York’s artistic energy has a way of drawing out the optimism and inspiration that I would only feel in small bursts back at home. I feel more fueled and energized than ever to take on opportunities and do things that scare me.

I’ve Learned to Move Fast & Think Faster

I thought I knew how to keep up with a busy schedule… then I moved to New York. There are opportunities around every street corner and you have to move quickly or else they’ll pass you by. 

The CJCxNYC program has taught me to seize every chance I get to network with those around me. Whether it’s at a company visit or during a coffee chat, I have to be quick on my feet to assess the personality of who I’m meeting with, and provide them with insight about myself to help us form a connection. 

Creating your own opportunities requires fast work of the chess board laid out in front of you. Sometimes it means being the first of your classmates to follow-up with a guest speaker. Other times it means rearranging your entire schedule so you can say yes to a lunch date with an industry professional. 

As someone who has always been so analytical and restrained by my schedule, New York City has taught me that rigidity can be fatal. Whether it’s just deciding to change trains when your subway is delayed — I’ve learned snap decisions can be the difference between staying stuck and moving forward.

I Don’t Want to Follow a Linear Path 

Remember when I said I thought I had it all figured out? Well…New York taught me that I couldn’t be more wrong. Linear paths might be safe, but they rarely lead to somewhere extraordinary. I love the adventure of trying new things and finding new talents. I thought I knew exactly where life would take me after graduation: I’d go to grad school, get a job, and work there until retirement. The people I’ve met in New York City have shown me how their life paths have zig-zagged, looped around, and led them to self-discovery and growth. I don’t ever want to be just one thing, and New York’s working professionals have taught me that sometimes exploring multiple avenues of who you are can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. New York showed me that curiosity and flexibility are just as important as any plan. 

It’s Fun to Push Myself Out of My Comfort Zone

I used to avoid anything that made me nervous, but New York has taught me that discomfort is where growth begins. I remember trying reformer pilates for the first time in Gainesville. It was not quantum physics, but I felt so nervous to fail that I canceled the class and hit the snooze button before even getting out of bed. I don’t know what it is about New York City that pushes me to try new things, but I’ve tried five different workout studios in my one month living here. 

From trying new classes to pitching ideas on company tours, I’ve discovered that I actually like being uncomfortable. The satisfaction I feel after conquering something new gives me the confidence to take an even bigger step next time. Each new challenge this city throws at me reminds me that the best growth happens when I push past my nerves and head first into an opportunity.

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