Though midterms season is in full swing, it’s important to spend some time outside and enjoy these final cool days that fall has to offer. Luckily, Morningside Heights is filled with an abundance of gorgeous green spaces. We hope this list inspires you to check out some of the hidden gems in the neighborhood, decompress from the stress that exams can bring, and enjoy our curated playlist to match!

Studying abroad can be one of the most anticipated, memorable, and all-around exciting university experiences. That being said, planning to study abroad can feel like a full-time job—from completing annoying bureaucratic appointments to dealing with the anxiety of going somewhere completely new. We’re here to offer some wisdom on how to make your semester abroad smooth sailing, but also the well-rounded experience that it deserves to be.

As the school year begins, a new batch of Columbia undergraduates embark on the journey that is the Core Curriculum. We at Spectrum fondly noticed someone poring over Tablet IV of the “Epic of Gilgamesh” in the Milstein Center. Sadly, early enthusiasm rarely survives the semester intact. It seems counterintuitive that the antidote to the Core-induced reading slump happens to be reading more books, but together, we hope these recommendations tell a cohesive story about what the Core is trying to do and how you should approach it.

Every midterm season, there’s a few things that keep the Columbia student body hopeful: Halloweekend, fall break, and Marriage Pact. Marriage Pact season is an exciting few weeks—you fill out the questionnaire (maybe more than once), you nominate your campus celebrity crush, and hope to God that you don’t receive a friend match (yet again) or an ex-situationship.

It is no joke when we say that life at Columbia can be hard to navigate.

As New Yorkers begin to head to the polls to cast their ballots for mayor, city council representatives and more, here’s how residents in West Harlem can vote.

Navigating queer identity as a college student can present distinct challenges, from finding community to accessing affirming resources. At Columbia, a wide range of student organizations work to support LGBTQ students through advocacy, social connection, and education. These groups foster spaces for dialogue, community engagement, and cultural celebration, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable campus environment while offering resources tailored to the needs of queer and transgender students.

One of the busiest days at Columbia is less than a week away: Homecoming. For many, it’s a time to come together with friends and family, attend tailgates, sport some merch, and pretend to care about football.

The falling leaves and unmistakable smell of pumpkin spice in the air can only mean one thing: Fall has arrived.

The seasons of the year often feel categorizable. Winter can be gloomy, but beautiful as the snow starts to cascade. In the spring, the flowers bloom and the sun resurfaces as that slight winter chill lingers. Summer is fun, bright, and filled with sunny days at the beach.