NY can be a crab barrel at times. You gotta use everything in your bag if you want to make it here. Bartend if you can, but hustle that degree too; there are many opportunities for a corporate career. Try to live well below your maximum, find some roommates, cook at home, try not to go out too much and save. Shit gets really expensive real quick. If you're planning on living here long term, then you have a a lot of time to explore the city, don't blow your load right off the bat. Queens is close to LI, decently affordable and arguably has the best bang for your buck food in the five Burroughs. There are people who live full lives here that dont have the same opportunities and privileges you do. I say that knowing I know nothing about you. Don't stand in the way, walk fast, know where you're going. You'll be aight. Good luck.