Balancing academics and self-care isn’t easy, but small changes can go a long way. I spent two weeks testing strategies to stay focused and avoid burnout or last-minute studying. Here’s what I learned.

If you’ve walked around campus lately, you may have noticed several posters or events celebrating Zora Neale Hurston, BC 1928. If you are not familiar with who she was, Spectrum is here to inform you about her legacy and why she is so important to the Barnard and Columbia communities today.

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.

Spooky season is sadly coming to an end.

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.

Even Columbia’s diverse student body is not immune to the stereotypes that often define college majors—and hey, it’s not necessarily a bad thing! Whether purely comical or containing small grains of truth, Spectrum has compiled some common opinions on these majors.

You’ve just set foot on campus, and it feels like a whole new world. You went to high school a mile away from home, and you’ve known most of your friends since preschool. You may have been valedictorian of your graduating class of 400 students, and your parents were so proud when you got into Columbia.

With finals season rapidly approaching, you might be feeling overwhelmed at the thought of your upcoming exams. If you don’t know where to begin or are unsure about which study method might be best for you, Spectrum is here to introduce you to some study techniques and general tips to help you have a successful finals season.

To my Spring 2024 course schedule,