It all starts when you reach into the depths of your closet to retrieve your long black puffer. The holidays are long gone, the snow has hardened or turned into slush, and your walk to your class across campus now feels like traversing the entire Antarctic continent. Winter is no longer romantic, charming, or lovely—it’s just cold.

With the holidays approaching, you might be preparing to go home—if you’re a first-year, maybe it’s your first time back since you started college. Amid the excitement of meeting up with old friends, returning to your favorite spots, and sleeping in your childhood bed, there might be a weird, intangible sense of unease.

Eating healthy on the dining plan often feels like a puzzle—somewhere between hunting for a protein that isn’t JJ’s dino nuggets and foraging Ferris’ salad bowls for nutrients. Contrary to popular belief, it’s totally possible to eat well on the dining plan and enjoy it if you get a little creative and experiment. Here are some Spectrum-approved hacks and food combos to make the most of your swipes—healthy edition!

Fall has officially hit Morningside Heights, and as the leaves change and the air cools, Columbia’s style has shifted too—polished yet practical, curated yet effortless. Between classes, coffee runs, and dinners downtown, Columbia and Barnard students somehow manage to make dressing for 50-degree weather look easy but intentional. Of course, everyone’s style is different, and no two people dress exactly the same, but Spectrum’s been picking up on some trends. Here’s what everyone’s been pulling out of their closets lately.