GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS BLACK FRIDAY.

WHILE MANY OF YOU SPENT THIS DAY RECOVERING FROM THANKSGIVING FEAST OVERLOADS, OTHERS TOOK THEIR FULL BELLIES AND WALLETS TO THE STORES TRYING TO GET THOSE EARLY BLACK FRIDAY DEALS.

IT IS A DAY KNOWN FOR LONG LINES AND INTENSE SHOPPING, BUT THIS YEAR BLACK FRIDAY COMES WITH AN ADDED ELEMENT.

HIGH INFLATION COST ADDED TO TICKET PRICES.

AS WE'VE REPORTED IN THE LAST WEEK, MOST POLLS SHOW SHOPPERS STILL PLAN TO SPEND TIME AND MONEY SHOPPING THIS WEEKEND AND BEYOND.

TED GOLDBERG IS IN EDISON TO LET US KNOW WHETHER THE CURRENT COST INCREASES DETERRED ANY OF THOSE OTHERWISE DETERMINED SHOPPERS.

>> Reporter: BLACK FRIDAY BECKONS THE MOST DEDICATED SHOPPERS TO MALLS LIKE MENLO PARK.

SOME PEOPLE, LIKE NEW YORK RESIDENT TANISHA GILBERT, WOKE UP AT 4:30 THIS MORNING TO GET A HEAD START ON THE CHRISTMAS LIST.

>> THE DEALS, DISCOUNTS.

I LIKE TO GET THEM EARLY.

IT IS JUST FUN TO GET UP EARLY AND GO SHOPPING WITH MY MOM.

>> MOST OF THE DEALS WERE LIKE 30% OFF, 20% OFF.

WE THOUGHT WE WOULD GET A SNAG ON CLOTHES.

>> Reporter: OR HEAD START ON GIFTS FOR THEMSELVES.

>> FROM A FAMILY NONE, FOR ME A LOT.

THANK YOU HAVE TO TREAT YOURSELF, RIGHT?

>> I THINK WE SHOULD COME MORE OFTEN.

>> Reporter: WAS IN CHRISTMAS CAROLS, THAT'S MUSIC TO THE EARS OF THE FOLKS ON THIS MALL.

>> WE SEE MANY FULL SHOPPING BAGS AS WELL AS THE GROWTH IN TRAFFIC.

>> Reporter: THE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, SHE EXPECTS A LOT MORE SHOPPERS TO POP IN OVER THE NEXT MONTH.

EVEN AS INFLATION AND ONLINE SHOPPING THREATENED TO CUT DOWN ON THESE CROWDS.

>> SIMON SHOPPERS ARE VERY RESILIENT.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE EVIDENCE BY THE MANY SHOPPING BAGS AND GROWTH IN RETAIL SALES MOMENTUM.

WE ANTICIPATE A VERY BUSY HOLIDAY'S SIN.

YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REAL-LIFE INTERACTION OF SHOPPING AND THE FACT THAT THEY CAN TOUCH, FEEL, TRY, AND BY IMMEDIATELY IS WHAT SHOPPERS SEEM TO BE PREFERRING THESE DAYS.

>> Reporter: INDUSTRY LEADERS SAY THE HOLIDAY SEASON SHOULD PROVIDE A HUGE LIFT FOR BUSINESSES.

THAT IS NO SURPRISE SINCE THAT IS THE CASE ALMOST EVERY YEAR.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT IS THAT CUSTOMERS ARE MORE DISCERNING ABOUT PRICES.

EVEN AFTER INFLATION EASED A BIT OVER THE PAST MONTH.

A RECENT REPORT BY DELOITTE SHOWS THAT WHILE SHOPPERS WILL SPEND ABOUT AS MUCH AS LAST YEAR, THEY WILL CUT BACK BY BUYING FEWER GIFT OVERALL.

>> PEOPLE ARE STILL VERY PRICE CONSCIOUS.

THIS YEAR MORE THAN ANY YEAR, PROMOTIONS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IMPORTANT.

BUT THIS YEAR PRICE IN VALUE REALLY DRIVE WHERE CONSUMERS DECIDE TO SHOP.

THEY WILL BE LOOKING FOR THE BEST DEALS AT THOSE LOCATIONS.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY CONCERNING TO SMALL BUSINESSES, JUST PRICES.

THAT IS WHAT CONSUMERS ARE LOOKING AT THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: EILEEN IS THE STATE DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS.

SHE ARGUES THAT WHEN IT COMES TO INFLATION, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE JUST AS WORRIED AS THE PEOPLE WHO SHOP IN THEIR STORES.

>> IT IS A VERY STRESSFUL TIME FOR SMALL BUSINESSES BECAUSE, AS WE KNOW, THIS IS WHEN THEY HAVE TO MAKE THEIR PROFITS.

WHEN THEY HAVE TO MAKE THEIR MONEY.

SO INFLATION ISN'T JUST WORRYING ABOUT THE CUSTOMERS WALKING THROUGH YOUR DOOR.

IT IS TRYING TO BALANCE YOUR OWN BUSINESS COST AGAINST GETTING THOSE CUSTOMERS TO COME IN THE DOOR.

>> Reporter: HOPEFUL THAT CUSTOMERS WILL GRAB LOTS OF GIFTS TOMORROW DURING SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY.

AS BIG-BOX RETAILERS/PRICES TO ATTRACT CUSTOMERS, SMALL BUSINESSES NEED TO FIND OTHER WAYS TO UP THEIR FOOT TRAFFIC SINCE THEY USUALLY CAN'T WIN ON PRICING ALONE.

>> SMALL BUSINESSES DO NOT HAVE THE BENEFIT THAT THE BIG CHAIN STORES HAVE OF HAVING VOLUME AND THEREFORE LOWER PRICES.

BUT I THINK IT IS ALSO WHY SMALL BUSINESSES STRIVE TO BE MORE UNIQUE AND HAVE THAT PERHAPS SMALLER INTIMATE GIFT THAT BECOMES MORE ALLURING.

LET'S REMEMBER HOW MUCH FUN IT IS TO SHOP ON MAIN STREET.

HOW MUCH FUN IT IS TO SEE THE DECK RATIONS.

NOW WE ARE READ INTO THE BEAUTY OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AND THE LIGHTS IN THE DECORATIONS.

>> Reporter: CUSTOMERS HAVE ONE MONTH TO GET ALL THEIR HOLIDAY SHOPPING DONE IN TIME.

>> EVEN THOUGH INFLATION ISN'T STOPPING THE HOLIDAY SPENDING SPREE IT COULD HAVE A MUCH DEEPER AND MORE DANGEROUS IMPACT COME THIS WINTER.

AS TEMPERATURES DROP WE WILL BE TURNING UP THE HEAT IN DUE TO RECENT RATE HIKES IT WILL COST MORE TO HEAT YOUR HOME.

NEW JERSEY FAMILIES ALREADY STRETCHED THIN WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR BUDGET AND THEY WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR MORE RESIDENTS TO HEAT THEIR HOMES THIS YEAR.

>>> AS WE EDGE CLOSER TO THE COLD WINTER MONTHS NEW JERSEYANS COULD BE FORCED TO DIG DEEPER IN THEIR POCKETS TO KEEP THEIR HOMES WARM.

>> BPO IN OCTOBER RAISED RATE OF ABOUT THE AVERAGE NEW JERSEY RATE AT $30 A MONTH.

>> IN SEPTEMBER RATE HIKES FROM SEVERAL GAS PROVIDERS WHO FACED RISING ENERGY COSTS AS A RESULT OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE AND INCREASING DEMAND.

WITH NEARLY 1 MILLION NEW JERSEYANS ALREADY BEHIND ON THEIR BILL BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC THERE IS CONCERN THE HIGHER COST WILL PUSH EVEN MORE PEOPLE INTO DEBT.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE THE PEAK ON A FIXED INCOME.

IT'S GOING TO BE PEOPLE UNEMPLOYED.

THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE.

$30 A MONTH INCREASE MAY NOT BE A LOT FOR SOMEONE IN A HIGHER INCOME BRACKET.

BUT IF YOU'RE IN A FIXED INCOME $30 COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEATING YOUR HOME, FEEDING YOUR FAMILY, AND GETTING DRUGS YOU NEED.

>> SAID OFFICIALS WANT RESIDENTS TO KNOW THEIR RESOURCES THAT CAN PROVIDE ASSISTANCE LIKE THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

-- -- THAT MEANS A FAMILY OF FOUR MAKING ALMOST CANNOT QUALIFY.

THERE'S ALSO THE WINTER TERMINATION PROGRAM THAT PREVENTS HEAT FROM BEING TURNED ON NOVEMBER 15th THROUGH MARCH 15th.

>> THIS ISN'T AUTOMATIC.

YOU HAVE TO TO APPLY FOR IT AND YOU HAVE TO BE ELIGIBLE.

ONE OF THE WAYS YOU CAN SHOW ELIGIBILITY IS, FOR INSTANCE, BY BEING A RECIPIENT OF THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

BY APPLYING FOR THESE PROGRAMS YOU CAN ENSURE THAT YOU WON'T HAVE UTILITIES TURNED OFF DURING THE COLDEST PART OF THE YEAR.

BUT ALSO YOU CAN RECEIVE FUNDS TO HELP YOU PAY YOUR UTILITY BILLS.

>> NOT ALL NEW JERSEYANS KNOW ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS OR WHAT TO GET STARTED.

>> ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ASKED TO TO OPERATE THEIR UTILITY ASSISTANCE HOTLINE ALSO KNOWN AS THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE HOTLINE.

IT IS WHAT WE CALL A SEPARATE LINE OF BUSINESS SO WE HAVE DEDICATED SPECIALISTS 24/7 ANSWERING THE PHONE.

OUR ROLE GOES BEYOND AND FROM INFORMATION AND REFERRAL BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE DO FOR THE 211 SERVICE.

WE ARE ACTUALLY SCREENING PEOPLE FOR UTILITY ASSISTANCE.

WE LISTEN TO THEIR SITUATION.

WE ASK QUESTIONS BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT PROGRAM THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR.

>> SPECIALIST THEN USE THAT INFORMATION TO CONNECT SPECIALISTS WHO NEED HELP WITH THE APPROPRIATE AGENCIES.

WITH THE COST OF HEATING GOING UP, THEY SAY THEY'RE ALREADY GETTING CALLS OF CONCERN.

>> WE HAD 18,000 CALLS LAST MONTH AND THAT IS DOUBLED FROM OCTOBER 2021.

>> FUNDS ARE ON A FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED BASIS.

STATE OFFICIALS URGE ANYONE STRUGGLING TO PAY THE UTILITIES TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>>> MORE TROUBLE FOR THE MENLO PARK VETERANS HOME TONIGHT.

ACCORDED TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THE FEDS HAVE STOPPED PAYMENT FOR ALL NEW ADMISSIONS, EFFECTIVELY STOPPING THE VETERANS HOME FROM ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS.

THE FEDS SAY THEY WILL CUT OFF ALL MEDICARE AND MEDICAID FUNDING IF THE FACILITY DOESN'T IMPROVE CONDITIONS BY MARCH 2023.

FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY FOUND SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE ISSUES AT THE HOME BACK IN SEPTEMBER LIKE FAILING TO IMPLEMENT INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES.

AND THE FACILITY HASN'T IMPROVED SINCE THEN.

THE HALT ON PAYMENTS BEGAN TUESDAY, THE SAME DAY THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SENT OUT A MISSION CRITICAL TEAM TO THE HOME TO HELP IMPROVE THE CARE OF THE VETERANS LIVING THERE.

AFTER MONTHS OF DELAYS STATE AUTHORITIES THIS WEEK STEPPED IN TO CERTIFY THE CITY OF TRENTON'S $234 MILLION BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR.

TRENTON MAYOR HAD ISSUED EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO KEEP THE CITY RUNNING AS HIS POLITICAL OPPONENTS ON THE CITY COUNCIL INCLUDING COUNCIL PRESIDENT KATHY MICK RIDE BLOCKED HIS FULL BUDGET FROM BEING APPROVED.

BOTH RIDE AND PHON UNSUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGED IN THE CITY'S MAYORAL ELECTION.

THE STATE SAVE THE CITY FROM DEFAULTING ON SEVERAL LOANS THAT WOULD'VE COST TRENTON MILLIONS IN PENALTIES.

>>> MILLION DOLLAR CONDOS IN RACE CARS OR MARKET RATE HOUSING WITH RETAIL SPACE SET ALONG CANALS.

THESE ARE THE TWO OPTIONS SITTING IN FRONT OF ATLANTIC CITY LEADERS AS TWO DEVELOPERS BUY FOR THE RIGHT TO BUILD ON BADER FIELD, A STATE OWNED PROPERTY THAT WAS ONCE A HISTORIC AIRPORT.

WHO IS BEHIND THESE PROPOSALS AND WHAT DOES THE COMMUNITY WANT FOR THIS BILLION-DOLLAR REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT?

WE GOT SOME ANSWERS.

>> WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

THESE COMPETING PROPOSALS FOR BADER FIELD, THEY REALLY RUN THE GAMUT.

WHAT ARE DEVELOPERS LOOKING TO DO WITH THIS LAND?

>> IT IS PRETTY WILD.

THE FIRST PLAN THAT CAME UP CAME UP A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

THIS ONE REALLY BLEW A LOT OF PEOPLE AWAY.

THIS IS A $2.7 BILLION PROPOSAL BY DEAN ENTERPRISES TO BUILD ABOUT 4000 HOUSING UNITS WHICH MOSTLY WOULD BE SOLD, YOU KNOW, AS CONDOS.

HOTEL, CONFERENCE CENTER, AND IN THE CENTER OF THE WHOLE THING OR GOING THROUGH THE WHOLE THING A 2.4 MILE RACE TRACK IN ESSENCE BECAUSE THESE CONDOS WOULD BE SOLD TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE MILLION DOLLAR PLUS RACE CARS TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THEM OUT AND OPEN UP THE ENGINES.

IT WAS MET WITH A LOT OF SKIP THIS IS HIM I GUESS YOU COULD SAY IN THE BEGINNING BUT IT SORT OF GREW ON PEOPLE AND NOW THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ARE REALLY VERY MUCH BEHIND IT.

AND THE STATE IS REVIEWING IT.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET MUCH INFORMATION OUT OF THE STATE ABOUT WHERE THEY ARE ON IT.

THE MAYOR SAYS THEY ARE READY TO SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE AND THEN THE OWNER OF SHOWBOAT HOTEL CAME OUT JUST THIS WEEK AND SAID NO I WANT TO BUILD 10,000 RENTAL HOUSING UNITS THERE HE SAID WITH THE CITY NEEDS IS MORE RESIDENTS AND MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE MIDDLE TO UPPER MIDDLE INCOME AND IT NEEDS MORE POPULATION.

SO HE IS THROWING HIS HAT IN THE RING NOW.

>> THE PROPOSAL REALLY THE PLOT TWIST IN THIS WHOLE THING.

OF COURSE THE STATE HAS TO APPROVE ALL OF THIS.

THE CITY IS STILL UNDER STATE CONTROL.

WHAT DOES THE COMMUNITY WANT AND REALLY NEED?

>> IT'S A BIG MIX.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, THAT PROPERTY FOR LOCALS, IT HAS AN EMOTIONAL CONTENT TO IT.

THE HISTORY THERE IS SO STRONG.

PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO SEE THE SITE WASTED.

THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE SOMETHING IN THERE THAT ISN'T GOING TO SUCCEED.

PEOPLE REALLY LOVE THAT PROPERTY.

THEY WANT TO SEE SOMETHING IS GOING TO SUCCEED.

THERE'S A REAL MIX.

MANY BUSINESS OWNERS ARE VERY SKEPTICAL THAT THAT CAR, HIGH END LUXURY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WOULD REALLY SUCCEED THERE.

AND THEN THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY SAYING HOW CAN WE ABSORB 10,000 NEW HOUSING UNITS?

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE SCHOOLS?

BECAUSE RENTAL HOUSING IS MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BE FAMILIES AND PEOPLE WHO WILL PUT KIDS INTO THE SYSTEM.

NEITHER OF THESE, YOU KNOW, FEELS LIKE THE JUST RIGHT IDEA TO A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO.

BUT EACH ONE HAS VERY STRONG SUPPORTERS AND THE DEAN ENTERPRISES CAR CENTER DEVELOPMENT IS VERY STRONGLY BACKED BY THE MAYOR, MARTY SMALL, AND BY CITY COUNCIL.

>> NO INDICATION, THOUGH, FROM THE DCA ABOUT THE TIMELINE OF THIS PROCESS.

OF COURSE YOU KNOW, FOR YEARS PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO BUILD UP.

MOST RECENTLY THE DUE AC CAMPAIGN.

REALLY TRYING TO BUILD IT BACK UP TO WHAT IT ONCE WAS.

AND I THINK PEOPLE WONDER, IS A RACETRACK THE WAY?

WOULD, PERHAPS, BRINGING FAMILIES INTO THE AREA BOOST THE ECONOMY AND, OF COURSE, THE RIPPLE EFFECT THAT WOULD HAVE.

I'M ASSUMING THESE ARE ALL THE THINGS THE DCA IS WEIGHING RIGHT NOW.

>> ONE THING THEY SAID THAT I THINK WE ALL CAN AGREE ON IS WE WOULD LIKE THE PROCESS TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT.

PEOPLE DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION.

>> CLEARLY A COVETED PIECE OF PROPERTY.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

GREAT TO TALK TO YOU.

>>> MARKETS WERE OPEN FOR HALF A DAY AND HERE'S HOW WALL STREET CLOSED TODAY.

>>> FOR MANY OFFENDERS LEAVING PRISON, TRYING TO START A NEW LIFE CAN FEEL NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE FROM THE MOMENT THEY'RE RELEASED.

FINDING A JOB, ACCESSING HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, EVEN GETTING A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD CAN BE OVERWHELMING.

THAT'S WHERE THE NEW JERSEY RE-ENTRY CORPORATION COMES IN.

THE NONPROFIT ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT IT'S EXPANDING INTO UNION COUNTY.

RAVEN SANTANA INTENDED THE OPENING TO TALK TO THE FORMER GOVERNOR AND TO THOSE WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN FOREVER CHANGED BY THE SUPPORT OF THIS ORGANIZATION.

>> THEY GOT ME EVERYTHING THAT I NEEDED.

WHEN THE -- >> DID NOT HOLD BACK WHEN SHARING HIS STORY ABOUT RECENTLY RE-ENTERING SOCIETY AFTER SERVING 29 YEARS IN PRISON.

THE 58-YEAR-OLD JOINT LAWMAKERS IN NEW JERSEY RE-ENTRY CORPORATION CHAIR FORMER GOVERNOR JIM McGREEVY AT THE GRAND OPENING OF ITS NEW UNION COUNTY FACILITY AND ELIZABETH.

THE NONPROFIT PROVIDES CRITICAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS RE-ENTERING THE GENERAL POPULATION.

>> HERE'S ONE STOP SHOPPING.

IT'S HELPING THEM TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES.

MANY OF THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS NEVER HAD A FIRST CHANCE LET ALONE A SECOND CHANCE.

IT IS TREMENDOUS.

THIS IS A PLACE FOR HEALING, LEGAL SERVICES, MEDICAL SERVICES, I.D., STATE AND FEDERAL BENEFITS, MEDICAID, AND EMPLOYMENT TRAINING.

>> KEYNOTE SPEAKER SHEILA OLIVER GOT EMOTIONAL WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE IMPORTANT SECOND CHANCES.

>> HE GOT SO FRUSTRATED TRYING TO GET A JOB, A PLACE TO LIVE, JUST PEOPLE ACCEPTING HIM.

I KNOW THAT IS THE PAIN OF MANY PEOPLE WHO WERE FORMERLY INCARCERATED.

PEOPLE LOOK AT YOU LIKE YOU ARE SOME ANOMALY.

THAT YOU ARE NOT A HUMAN BEING.

>> IF IT WASN'T FOR A PROGRAM LIKE THIS IT BE IN A ROOM CRYING EVERY NIGHT.

JUST WISHING THERE WAS SOMETHING OUT THERE TO ASSIST ME.

PHYSICALLY I UTILIZED THOSE RESOURCES.

WHAT I NOTICED WHEN I WAS GOING FOR APPLICATIONS AND BECOMING AN APPLICANT, THEY HEARD, THEY LEFT ME, THEY BASICALLY HIRED ME UNTIL THE BACKGROUND CHECK CAME BACK.

THEY TAKE STRIDES IN HELPING YOU WITH GROWTH.

THIS OF NOW THEY DON'T SEE THAT.

>> EX-OFFENDERS SAY WHILE THE VARIETY OF RESOURCES IS KEY TO THEIR SUCCESS.

THEY SAY NOTHING IS QUITE AS IMPORTANT AS THE COMPASSION THEY ARE GIVEN WHEN THEY COME HERE LOOKING FOR HELP.

>> IT HELPED ME TO GET MY SOCIAL SECURITY, IT HELPED ME GET MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE, IT HELPED ME GET A JOB.

THIS IS IT.

THIS PROGRAM HELPS YOU, THEY CARE ABOUT YOU, THEY SHOW YOU LOVE.

>>, RETURNING OFFENDER.

NONFELONY CONVENTION.

I WANT AN I.D., BUT ALSO SOMEBODY TO REALLY BELIEVE IN ME.

>> CURRENTLY THERE ARE SIX STAFF MEMBERS WORKING AT THE FACILITY.

THEY EXPECT TO SEE MORE THAN 1000 PEOPLE RECEIVING RESOURCES IN THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.

>>> WHEN LIFE STOPPED BECAUSE COVID-19 HIT OUR COMMUNITIES WE ALL STRUGGLED TO ADAPT.

IN MANY WAYS YOUNG PEOPLE WERE HIT THE HARDEST.

WHILE SO MUCH OF THE FOCUS WAS ON OUR YOUNGEST KIDS, MY NEXT GUEST IS HERE TO SHARE HOW OLDER KIDS, THOSE IN COLLEGE, ALSO LOST OUT ON SO MUCH.

EMMA COUGHLAN A MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT WHO IS GRADUATING THIS YEAR AND WHO RECENTLY WROTE AN ARTICLE EXPLAINING JUST WHAT SHE AND HER COLLEGE PEERS HAVE LOST.

COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE GRADUATING THIS YEAR SPENT JUST ABOUT HALF OF THE COLLEGE CAREERS IN ISOLATION.

HE RECENTLY WROTE AN ARTICLE ABOUT WHAT COLLEGE SENIORS ARE EXPERIENCING.

TELLS ABOUT THE ARTICLE.

>> BASICALLY IT IS JUST A LOOK AT HOW DIFFERENT COLLEGE STUDENTS WERE AFFECTED SOCIALLY SPECIFICALLY BY THE PANDEMIC.

BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF PEOPLE MISSED A LOT.

WE'LL MISS SOMETHING WHETHER IT WAS GRADUATION OR PROM.

THERE WASN'T A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT COLLEGE STUDENTS MISSED.

COLLEGE IS A HUGE PART OF A PERSON'S SOCIAL LIFE.

I KNOW I MISSED OUT ON IT AND I WAS CURIOUS IF I WAS ALONE IN THAT.

AND IT TURNED OUT I WAS NOT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SHARED A VERY SIMILAR EXPERIENCE AND THEY FELT LIKE THEY MISSED OUT.

>> COLLEGE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TIME THAT REALLY PREPARES YOU FOR THE REAL WORLD RIGHT?

WHAT ARE THOSE EXPERIENCES THAT YOU HAVE MISSED AND DO YOU THINK THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOU AND YOUR PEERS WHEN YOU DO GRADUATE AND INTO THE REAL WORLD?

>> THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE A BIT OF SHARED TRAUMA FROM THAT EXPERIENCE.

IT WAS HARD.

I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE THOUGHT THIS WAY TOO.

WE TALKED TO AND WE WERE IN COLLEGE AND WE WERE THROWN BACK TO HER HOMETOWN WITH ALL THOSE PEOPLE AND YOU FELT LIKE YOU WERE MOVING BACKWARDS.

I THINK TRANSITIONING BACK INTO THAT WAS HARD.

I'M CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENED WHEN WE GRADUATE AND ARE IN THAT TIME WHERE --BECAUSE ALL OF A SUDDEN WE'RE OUT IN THE REAL WORLD, WITH GRADUATED, AND IT JUST HAPPENS LIKE THAT.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WERE SOME OF THE KEY EXPERIENCE AS YOU MENTIONED OUT ON THAT WOULD AFFECT YOU OR YOUR PEERS NOTIONALLY OR EMOTIONALLY.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST THING IS LIKE LIVING WITH YOUR PEERS, RIGHT?

BECAUSE YOU LIVE AT HOME, YOU GO TO SCHOOL, AND COLLEGE IS REALLY THAT FIRST STEP INTO THAT INDEPENDENCE AND LIVING WITH PEOPLE YOUR OWN AGE IN LEARNING HOW TO, YOU KNOW, NAVIGATE YOUR LIFE ON YOUR OWN WITHOUT YOUR PARENTS OR YOUR FAMILY.

I KNOW I MISSED OUT ON THAT AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE DID.

>> IN THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME WE HAVE LEFT, WHAT DO YOU THINK THESE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES OR LACK OF EXPERIENCES IS GOING TO LEAVE YOU AND YOUR PEERS WITH AS YOU GO ON AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT COLLEGE IS SUPPOSED TO PREPARE YOU FOR?

>> I THINK MY HOPE IS THAT EVERYONE IS A LOT MORE EAGER TO GET TO KNOW DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

I KNOW THIS YEAR I HAVE MET PEOPLE WHO WERE VERY EAGER TO JUST DO EVERYTHING.

ENJOY COLLEGE, HAVE FUN, SPEND TIME TOGETHER, GO OUT, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THERE IS THAT SPACE WHERE YOU GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE AND YOU'RE NOT SURE HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AND IT IS HARD.

AND MY HOPE IS I GET OUT THERE AND PEOPLE ARE A LOT MORE EAGER TO CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER.

>> WE HOPE THE SAME FOR YOU, AND FOR ALL OF THOSE GRADUATING THIS YEAR.

THANKS SO MUCH.

YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT HOW COLLEGE SENIORS HAVE ADAPTED TO THEIR UNIQUE EDUCATION EXPERIENCES BY READING EMMA'S ARTICLE ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLAN ARMS TO KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

AS FOR BEING WITH US, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.