This upcoming Saturday, March 30, Spectator and Columbia College Student Council are hosting Free Food Expo from noon to 2 p.m on Low Plaza. At this event, various vendors from Morningside Heights and West Harlem will be offering a sampling of their menu—for free!

As the weather starts getting nicer, the sun starts coming out, and the trees start blooming with flowers, looking outside your window or walking around campus might make you wonder how you can make the most out of the weather. Put on your most comfortable shoes, grab your water bottle, and get ready to see the possibilities of New York City open up to you with a simple stroll.

Spectrum has put together a playlist and booklist this February to celebrate Black History Month. Whether you’re into jazz, pop, or rap, there’s a mix of music genres for your listening pleasure. And if you’re looking for something to read, look no further—Spectrum has compiled a cross-genre booklist, from historical fiction to creative nonfiction, to satisfy your literary needs this month.

As a new semester comes upon us, many of us are determined to make this semester our best one yet. Spectrum is here to help you with some tips to set this semester up for success and make it as manageable as possible.

As the holiday season approaches, New York City becomes bustling with holiday decorations, tourists, and holiday markets on what seems to be every corner. Sometimes, it’s difficult to get the motivation to leave campus and make the trek to visit these staple New York City holiday attractions, but Spectrum’s here to help you see all there is to offer with this guide to the holidays.

We’ve all heard the stereotype before—that college students are broke and desperately in need of money. Of course, on-campus jobs exist, and these are valid options, but many students might not have the time to work scheduled hours weekly or simply might want to make money in other ways. Spectrum has you covered with side hustles that are doable and lucrative for college students.

Whether you’re a first-year trying out every dining hall Columbia has to offer, or you’ve been here for years and have tried most of the food within walking distance of campus, there comes a point when none of the food options near campus are appealing. As finals season approaches, you may also find it harder to bring yourself to cook meals or eat anything other than that old granola bar sitting in the bottom of your bag. Well, don’t worry, Spectrum is here to help: All you have to do is to make your way down to Trader Joe’s—the closest one to campus is on West 93rd Street and Columbus Avenue. Spectrum has compiled some of what we think are the best—and easiest—frozen foods to try and enjoy from Trader Joe’s.

Oh, the chaos of college midterms! We’ve reached the point in the semester where every student transforms into a caffeine-fueled nocturnal creature, haunted by stacks of flashcards and CourseWorks notifications. We understand how difficult it may be to manage all the deadlines and exams, but fear not, your friends at Spectrum have compiled a list of academic resources that can make the midterm season more manageable.

If you’ve been on campus at any point over the last few weeks, chances are you’ve heard the word “Homecoming” floating around on campus. But what really is Homecoming? How should you prepare for it and what should you expect? Here are some frequently asked questions to serve as your ultimate guide to Homecoming 2023. Spectrum explored frequently asked questions through a hypothetical Q&A between a first-year and upperclassman to serve as your ultimate guide to Homecoming 2023.

Ah, it’s that time of year again. The air is beginning to chill, the leaves are starting to fall, and Homecoming is steadily approaching. You’re sure to hear “What are your plans for Homecoming?” Sometimes, as you’re nodding and blindly agreeing to plans, you may realize you honestly have no idea what everyone is talking about—you’ve never heard of a darty or a borg. If that is the case, don’t worry. Spectrum is here to give you some essential words to add to your vocabulary as Homecoming approaches.