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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

All content by Pritheva Zakaria
(Allina Xiao for WSN)

How to conduct a DIY personal color analysis

While it might be too expensive to get your color analysis professionally done, here’s how you can do it at home.
Pritheva Zakaria, Staff Writer April 8, 2025

You've probably seen people getting their color analysis done in South Korea on TikTok. The beauty trend — where a professional determines the best colors to wear based on your...

(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)

6 podcasts by and for women

Tune into these women-led podcasts that are challenging the male-dominated medium one episode at a time.
Pritheva Zakaria, Staff Writer March 10, 2025

In an increasingly digitized landscape, podcasts have become a major source of information and entertainment. It’s easy to put on your headphones and press play on the latest...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

4 lip glosses you won’t want to wipe off

Lip gloss can be messy, but it’s way more fun than lipstick. Here are a few of my favorites to add to your collection.
Pritheva Zakaria, Staff Writer March 6, 2025

Lip glosses have become a staple for any makeup look. They provide the perfect sheen for your lips when it comes to taking pictures on your digital camera and are imperative when...

8 must-watch films by Black female directors

8 must-watch films by Black female directors

From historical dramas to romantic comedies, here are some films to add to your watchlist — and not just during Black History Month.

This Black History Month and beyond, it’s important to spotlight the work of Black female directors, a historically underrepresented group in Hollywood — only 5.3% of directors...

A barista makes a drink in a cafe kitchen filled with machines, ingredients and a pride flag. On the wall is a hanging poster with the word “Aiyo.”

4 tea-rrific spots for chai near campus

South Asian cafes aren’t just having a moment in New York City — they’re here to stay.
Pritheva Zakaria, Staff Writer November 12, 2024

You’ve seen chai on drink menus all over the city. From campus staples like The Bean to global chains like Dunkin’, a growing number of businesses have a stake in the chai...

A man and a woman are standing next to a pond, watching a dog walking in the water.

Where to find autumn leaves that will have you falling to your knees

The seasons are changing, the leaves are falling and we’ve got the best spots around New York City for you to get your fall foliage fix.
Pritheva Zakaria, Staff Writer October 17, 2024

As we settle into the fall season in New York City, we need places to escape to see the leaves change and the cute dogs wearing little boots. Seeing the fall leaves and feeling...

Six girls in a line are wearing, respectively, a sweater with loose jeans, a sweater with a skirt and belt, a sweater dress, a sweater and a skirt, a sweater with jorts and a sweater with uncuffed sweatpants.

How to stay stylish in sweater weather

As we brave the chilly weather in New York City, here is a guide on how to style the autumn staple.
Pritheva Zakaria, Staff Writer October 9, 2024

Don’t let the sun in the forecast fool you — it’s officially fall. For many students, it’s the best season to show off their layered looks. A staple in most college students’...

An illustration of a taco fighting french fries boxing in a ring.

Ranked: Fast food near campus

These spots might not help your health, but can certainly please your need for grease.
Pritheva Zakaria, Staff Writer October 3, 2024

College students need quick and easy food to eat in between classes or after their night-long study sessions when all the dining halls are closed. We’re all in need of meals...

An illustration of a woman with red hair, a cream sweater and a green skirt poses happily in her thrifted clothes.

From jewelry to jackets: The ultimate guide to online thrifting

There’s plenty of places online to shop for vintage staples, but every site has its own niche. Here’s how to get the most of each.
Pritheva Zakaria, Staff Writer March 13, 2024

In New York City, there is no shortage of thrift stores for the fashionable NYU student. But, the rise in online shopping in recent years has, in many ways, turned thrifting digital....

Six water bottles lined up against a white background.

Ranked: Water bottles

We have to drink water to survive, so why not make it fun?
Pritheva Zakaria, Staff Writer March 5, 2024

A water bottle is more than just a vessel for drinking water — it’s a statement. People decorate their bottles with stickers and make them reflections of who they are. If you’ve...

An illustration of a pavilion with a dome, covered in stained-glass-like art against the night sky with crescent moon and stars. Smaller domes lay behind the center one, which has a clear middle above an ornate bottom.

Celebrating Ramadan and the Muslim experience at NYU

Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims, is upon us. With celebration and faith come questions and concerns for Muslims here at NYU and in the city.
Pritheva Zakaria, Contributing Writer March 22, 2023

The month of Ramadan begins on the evening of March 22. For one month, from sunrise to sunset leading up to Eid, the practice of fasting and the celebration of breaking fast is...

A man with long and curly hair and beard wearing a dark green jacket. He is in a dimly lit room.

Hello, ‘You’: A fresh new season filled with love and murder

Season four shows a different side of Joe Goldberg as he acquaints himself with the British upper class.
Pritheva Zakaria, Contributing Writer February 27, 2023

Netflix dropped Part 1 of the fourth season of “You” on Feb. 9 to the delight of fans. The popular psychological thriller has had many hooked on Joe Goldberg and his cryptic...

A man in a jacket peeks out between pieces of newspaper covering a window. A teenage girl stands behind the man and watches him as he looks out.

‘The Last of Us’ brings its source game to life in the best way possible 

This January, fans of the iconic zombie survival video game “The Last of Us” get to revisit the story of Ellie and Joel on HBO Max almost 10 years after the original game released.
Pritheva Zakaria, Contributing Writer February 6, 2023

“The Last of Us” is a name avid gamers know all too well. Recently, the popular video game was adapted into a TV show on HBO Max with a star-studded cast featuring the likes...

A streetscape in Jamaica, Queens. Vendors selling fruits are in the foreground. To the left, a bus stop sign in front of a Bangladeshi flag and a subway entrance. To the right, a street sign indicating the intersection of 169th Street and Broadway.

A local’s recommendations for Queens Bengali staples

Take some time away from Greenwich Village to experience this Bengali home away from home.
Pritheva Zakaria, Contributing Writer November 14, 2022

Queens is home to some of the city’s most ethnically diverse cuisines. Among the immigrant communities that have found their place in Jamaica, Queens, the Bangladeshi population...

An illustration of a podium with the Columbia University logo sitting on the first place with a green check mark next to it. The N.Y.U. logo, with a red cross next to it, sits on the second place. “Silly purple school” is written next to the N.Y.U. logo in purple.

Off-Third: Columbia is better than NYU

Columbia embodies everything a traditional college should be, from its campus, its student body, its sports and its academia. NYU can’t compete.
Pritheva Zakaria, Contributing Writer September 26, 2022

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. Let me be the first to address the elephant in the room — everyone who attends NYU was rejected from Columbia. It’s the one characteristic...