Have a comment? A story idea? Let us know.

West Side Stories

Scribble away

These principles already existed somewhere, they were already my beliefs—but it took some unconsciously jotted down words for me to become familiar with them.

These principles already existed somewhere, they were already my beliefs—but it took some unconsciously jotted down words for me to become familiar with them.

Eventually

I’ve put off thinking about the future for far too long. I’ve only got three more semesters left of college. And then what? I’m an English major: I like words and hate cubicles. But pretty words don’t guarantee career stability.

I’ve put off thinking about the future for far too long. I’ve only got three more semesters left of college. And then what? I’m an English major: I like words and hate cubicles. But pretty words don’t guarantee career stability.

My life as a hybrid

Despite the fact that the author spent her entire middle and high school careers south of the Mason-Dixon Line, she considers herself to be a New Yorker.

Despite the fact that the author spent her entire middle and high school careers south of the Mason-Dixon Line, she considers herself to be a New Yorker.

New perspectives

It is not always easy to be a twenty-nine-year-old undergraduate.

It is not always easy to be a twenty-nine-year-old undergraduate.

Dear Mama

My mother’s perseverance through hardship has helped me cope with the pressures of being a student at Columbia.

My mother’s perseverance through hardship has helped me cope with the pressures of being a student at Columbia.

Subcultural capital

Choosing the flea market as a site for field research was the perfect excuse to hang out with my dad all Saturday as he sold records to this strange underbelly of New York culture.

Choosing the flea market as a site for field research was the perfect excuse to hang out with my dad all Saturday as he sold records to this strange underbelly of New York culture.

Everything I need to know about life

For many, college is a path leading to enlightenment, both personal and academic. For others, it is a series of mishaps, misadventures, and mistakes that morph us into responsible adults ready to face the challenges of the world.

For many, college is a path leading to enlightenment, both personal and academic. For others, it is a series of mishaps, misadventures, and mistakes that morph us into responsible adults ready to face the challenges of the world.

Above and beyond: the White House Internship

At the beginning of the internship, a senior White House official told interns that the summer would be what we made of it, whether we were serious about our office work and got to know people or not. And he was right.

At the beginning of the internship, a senior White House official told interns that the summer would be what we made of it, whether we were serious about our office work and got to know people or not. And he was right.

It's so easy to forget

Sometimes I get so caught up in my Columbia life that I lose track of why we’re here in the first place. Going downtown with my friend that night helped me put my year into some semblance of real perspective.

Sometimes I get so caught up in my Columbia life that I lose track of why we’re here in the first place. Going downtown with my friend that night helped me put my year into some semblance of real perspective.

Smells like home

My point here, despite what it may seem, is not to further damage the already-delicate reputation of my homeland. Bon Jovi has done enough. But it’s also not exactly to defend it.

My point here, despite what it may seem, is not to further damage the already-delicate reputation of my homeland. Bon Jovi has done enough. But it’s also not exactly to defend it.