The Performative Male, once a prevalent subspecies of the Columbia population, has entered a period of apparent decline. Fewer tote bags have been spotted on campus, Labubus have stopped multiplying, and the continuous “mansplaining” of feminist theory has, miraculously, come to a halt.

As seniors, we’ve spent the past four years in what some might call an academic bubble—a beautiful, crazy, and sometimes infuriating one. Throughout all the highs and lows, we’ve grown to call Columbia home. As we prepare for the culmination of our four year experience that is Commencement, some of us find ourselves questioning: how do we let go of Columbia?

Homecoming at Columbia is one of the best experiences you could ever have. As a school overflowing with spirit, it’s one of the many highlights of the year—a weekend of energy, pride, and perfectly curated chaos.

If the leaves look flightier than usual or your abandoned online Halloween cart is begging you to hit order, it might be time to lean into the fall spirit. Here are a few ways to truly “fall” into the fall season (see what I did there?).

Class of 2026, after six tumultuous semesters, you are finally approaching the finish line. As you reflect on the past three years, it’s also important to remind yourselves to enjoy the final two semesters ahead.

I’m sure you’re feeling an overwhelming mix of emotions as you start your journey at Columbia. In honor of this new chapter, I want to share some wise words and hard truths as an experienced senior to help you navigate the Columbia experience. In short, I went through it so you don’t have to (even though you do).

As the semester comes to a close, we reflect on the upcoming graduation of some of the most inspiring members of our community—our seniors. Whether you are planning to take a gap year, begin a graduate program, start a job, or pursue other endeavors, we know you’ll do great things. Thank you and goodbye to the Class of 2025.

It happened—the unthinkable. Maybe your friends already had housing plans, or maybe you chose not to live with them to protect your friendships. Perhaps your roommate search didn’t go as planned, or you couldn’t find anyone you felt compatible with. Either way, you’ve ended up with random roommates or suitemates.

In college, the pressure to attend every major social event or outing can be overwhelming. FOMO–the fear of missing out–often creeps in when you see friends traveling on social media, going out while you’re studying, or discussing a party you didn’t attend. While it’s natural to want to fit in with the people around you, social pressure can be detrimental to your personal or academic well-being. Turning down these opportunities to stay in and study can be hard, especially during midterm season. Spectrum has some tips on how to cope with the fear of missing out.

Columbia students can be like cocktails: strong, sometimes bitter, and best consumed in moderation. Whether you’re drowning in readings or debugging code at 3 a.m., your major comes with a certain flavor. So, if your course of study was a drink, what would it be? Let’s make the perfect menu.