Course registration at Columbia is no easy task. Between mourning your horrible registration time, triple checking waitlists to ensure you can actually get into your desired classes, and hoping that the website won’t crash as you hit “Register,” the last thing you want to be worried about is figuring out how to use a new registration system.

Though TikTok only stayed offline for about 14 hours, we learned a lot in that time—14 hours can be a long time to wait for something you care about. In the season of love, more and more people seem to find themselves looking for a relationship. While some students hop on dating apps and others sign up for Datamatch in hopes of finding romantic matches, follow these tips to make sure your new relationship continues past the first date and lasts longer than the TikTok shutdown.

This year for Black History Month, Spectrum has compiled a watchlist of movies highlighting Black directors, actors, and historical figures.

As the refuge of Thanksgiving break creeps closer and closer, so does the small but stressful window for spring 2025 course registration. For Barnard students, navigating course registration while completing the Foundations requirements can get tricky.

As you get further into the fall semester, you might notice that, despite the official midterm date having passed, your exams and papers aren’t quite yet over. It’s a common joke at Columbia that midterm season never ends, and sometimes, instead of studying in smaller increments a week in advance of a midterm, Columbia students turn to pulling all-nighters to get work done.

Halloween is fast approaching and costume planning can be hard. You have to think of an idea, make sure you have the right clothes—which probably includes buying the entire costume or at least accessories—and after all of that hope the mail center actually processes anything you get shipped in time. All this planning happens alongside the hustle and bustle of midterm season, which means it’s probably not getting done in time. As Halloween approaches, you might find yourself at a total loss for what to do. Fear not, Spectrum’s here to help with last-minute costume ideas you can easily find in your closet.

With the arrival of fall, it’s important not to get caught in a whirlwind of days solely spent studying in Butler and to remember what the rest of the season has to offer. You don’t have to stay indoors just because it’s gotten chillier out. Spectrum is here to help you make this year’s fall the best one yet—from wardrobe essentials to quintessential New York City activities that you won’t want to miss.

As you begin to mentally prepare for the ever-so-dreaded midterm season, you may be feeling overwhelmed at the exams and assignment deadlines looming ahead. Amid the havoc, it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself. Even with a packed schedule, there are simple ways to practice self-care that can help you stay grounded and focused. Spectrum has some tips to help you squeeze in some self-care even when it seems like you have no time at all.

With the first month of classes rapidly coming to an end, the semester is officially in full swing. Problem sets are due, papers have been drafted, and midterms are almost here. You may feel overwhelmed with the increase of work you have ahead—or you may have even fallen behind. While staying in bed and avoiding responsibilities can feel all too enticing, it’s never too late to turn your semester around.

With the semester fully in swing, it’s important to remember that there’s more to learn here than just what’s in your textbooks. Whether this is your first time living here or you’re looking for a refresher, trying to figure out the customs of New York City can feel like a course in itself. Thankfully, Spectrum is here to help. Here are some tips and tricks for navigating the city and all of its quirks.