Columbia College and School of General Studies students will be able to pass/D/fail one fall semester class without restriction until the end of the term and withdraw from courses till Dec. 14, according to a statement released by Columbia College Dean of Academic Affairs Lisa Hollibaugh on Nov. 18. The announcement followed a similar statement made by the School of Engineering and Applied Science earlier this week.

With Columbia and Barnard’s plans for the spring semester still unclear, many students at the University have opted for off-campus living this year. If this is your first time renting an apartment, it can be a stressful experience to know what to bring. Some places may come fully furnished, while others will not have so much as a refrigerator. As a helpful guide, Spectrum compiled a master list of everything you might need to live off campus.

Just because you can’t go out to Halloween parties this year doesn’t mean you can’t get dressed up. Whether you’re going to an outdoor movie night with friends, a fall activity in your town, or just greeting the trick-or-treaters from a distance, wearing costumes is a Halloween must. This year, take advantage of COVID-19-necessitated face masks to create your own creepy getup.

It’s officially spooky season. Brightly colored leaves, Halloween movies, and pumpkin spice reign supreme for the month of October, which might leave you craving fall fun with friends and family. While you can’t host any Halloween parties this year, there are still plenty of outdoor fall group activities you can do while maintaining a safe social distance. For those in the New York City area, Spectrum put together a guide to help you celebrate the season with your go-to group of friends.

While typical preparations for a career fair may involve printing resumes, putting on the right professional shoes, and making sure you beat the line to Lerner Hall, the virtual dynamics of impressing your potential employer follow a different set of standards. The Virtual Engineering Career Fair will be held this Friday, September 25th and more “micro” career fairs will be held throughout the year, so it is never too early to start preparing. Begin getting ready with this checklist of everything you need to do beforehand.

To learn more about which STEM clubs are available at Columbia and Barnard, visit this master list created by Spectrum.

“Don’t be afraid to talk over Zoom. Your professors are trying their best to make this engaging, and you can meet other people by participating in class.” —Jose Pomarino Nima, SEAS ’23

As most students are moving into residence halls, it’s important to know all the supermarkets, office supply stores, and home decor shops nearby. Spectrum has put together a comprehensive list for convenient spots that will help make your room feel like home.

An online college experience has been a hassle for many, whether it be because of one’s inability to concentrate, the quality of lectures, or just general feelings of isolation. Columbia and Barnard students across the globe can—for the most part—agree that education is better when everyone is together. However, in the absence of regular events and heavy courseloads, the University has gifted its students a double-edged sword: more free time. If you, like many others, are looking for productive ways to spend your newly found hours of the day, try picking up a new language. On top of online programs to help you learn, one of the best ways to practice a language is through listening to others speak. Without further ado, here’s a list of popular foreign films to watch during quarantine season.