The cherry blossoms that have long served as an emblem of spring throughout New York City are actually not native to the area whatsoever. Japan gifted 3,020 of these vibrant cherry blossom, or sakura, trees to the United States over a century ago as a means of celebrating the friendship between the two nations. Luckily for us, it just so happens that some of the sakura that arrived in the United States found their home in New York City.

Midterms snuck up on us this semester—again. With the snap of a finger, we have transformed into caffeine-fueled, library-dwelling zombies desperate for anything that will provide us a boost in productivity without the jitters. No—we’re not suggesting you find the perfect amount of Adderall and Xanax to crush into your coffee. We’d actually like to suggest a more sustainable route, but still one that often comes in the form of capsules, powders, and teas. Cue the world of natural supplements: the unsung heroes of workload management.

Ah! To be a student at Columbia—to attend university in a romantic safe haven amidst the even more romantic New York City. Nothing screams romance like hurdling over trash bags and rats while racing to the subway with every hope of not missing your 8:10 a.m. recitation, clenching your scalding hot coffee as the train stops at the infamous 116th Street station. It spills down your outfit, but at least now you’re able to feed the frenzied rodents scurrying under the platform. So romantic!

To those who need to hear it: It won’t always feel this lonely.

We all have them, and, per usual, they’re coming in as hot as ever. Midterms have officially begun, and they look like they’re here to stay—at least until December rolls around and we start referring to them as finals instead. While many of us are already familiar with the late study nights ahead, those living a subway ride away from campus face an additional challenge in the process. Where should you study when your apartment feels too cramped and the trek to Butler Library is just too much?

There is no doubt that attending university in this city has its perks. But, as with living in any city, especially one with a prevalent nightlife scene, safety should remain top of mind as you venture out to explore all the incredible things New York City has to offer. Here are a few safety tips from us at Spectrum.

The heat may have felt pretty intense for the last few weeks, but as some of us know, any heat we experience now won’t last much longer. With a long, cold winter fast approaching, now is the time to get outside and absorb those last rays of sun—both on campus and all around New York City.

To those who need to hear it: Life is a little blue right now.

As Columbia students, we have access to a range of support services dedicated to facilitating our learning experience. However, the whirlwind of requirements and checklists that often precede actually benefiting from these resources might make them feel out of reach.

Stepping back into the familiar environments at home—however briefly—may feel disruptive to the lives we’ve gotten used to while at school.