Izzy Mollicone

On Thursday night, the Columbia University Marching Band held Orgo Night outside of Butler Library. As per usual, they offered Columbia students a much-needed break from their late-night cram sessions by putting on a show filled with music, comedy, and a dash of controversy.

Finals season has arrived and, along with it, the frustratingly familiar routine of wandering endlessly through Ref in search of a vacant seat. If you’re tired of wasting your precious moments in Butler searching instead of studying, Spectrum has solutions!

Need help dealing with Columbia’s cold campus? Feeling helpless in this harsh habitat? With precipitation prevailing and frost foreboding, Spectrum has you covered with the best ways to stay warm!

Whether you’re drowning in problem sets or overtaken by paper deadlines, caught up in friend drama or missing home, there always seems to be a reason to cry. And with roommates ever present, breaking down in your dorm room is not always the best option. Spectrum has you covered with the best places to retreat to when the overwhelming emotions hit.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching. Though you might be eagerly awaiting a heartfelt reunion with family and friends back home, take a moment to reflect upon your present surroundings. Have you found family—or some semblance of it—on campus?

Welcome to the mid-semester slump: It’s been over two months at Columbia and the novelty of college life has begun to wear off. Midterms are winding down, Homecoming and Halloweekend have come and gone, and you’re no longer preoccupied with navigating the once-new campus. You’ve figured out your favorite dining hall, established your favorite corner in Ref Room, and no longer log into SSOL every morning to try and remember which classroom you should be heading to. With the newness fading and the hype dying down, here are some simple ways to spice up the remainder of your semester!

What’s the perfect accompaniment to Homecoming? Family Weekend of course! In addition to midterms and tailgates filling up your schedule, you also somehow have to find time to entertain your parents. Whether it be a quick bite to eat after Columbia’s research showcase or a fun afternoon out after Barnard’s “Dean’s Discussion,” we’ve compiled the best activities for you and your family here at Spectrum.

Dear Absolute Bagel,

The leaves are beginning to change, the weather is cooling down (slightly), and our libraries are beginning to fill up—it’s midterm season! We’d give you some study tips, but it’s a safe bet that you already have that covered. On the contrary, you might need advice on the exact opposite—how to relax and recharge. Between problem sets and paragraphs, here are some quick ways to take a study break and stay sane in the next few weeks.

Now that you’ve settled into your new routine for the year, it’s time to buckle down. Between class workloads picking up, clubs moving into full swing, and midterms rapidly approaching (already!), the relaxed weekends and slower September days are starting to feel like a distant memory. The last thing you need on your plate right now is a cold. Judging by the rainy weather forecast and frequent sniffles heard during lectures, cold season has come upon our campus. Whether you’ve already picked up a cough or are trying to avoid a sore throat, these tips can help keep the sickness at bay. Consider this your care package from us here at Spectrum!