After a week of rest and relaxation, returning to college can seem like a harsh transition. However, spring break presents the perfect opportunity for a new start, to integrate the restful experience from the break into your daily life. If you are wondering how to start your journey into a more health—conscious and less sleep—deprived lifestyle in the face of academic rigor, your friends at Spectrum are here to help you.

As housing registration approaches, you may see Columbia and Barnard students scrambling in search of the perfect housing group. You see your friends planning out next semester’s living arrangements, and you feel a sense of dread as you realize that you don’t want to live with your current roommate next semester.

You’ve just walked out of Schermerhorn 614, where you aced your last midterm exam. You feel like you’re on cloud nine—you can’t help but smile as you replay the exam in your mind, relishing each moment where your knowledge effortlessly flowed onto the paper. The answers were coming to you before you even finished reading the question. It’s a feeling of accomplishment like no other, knowing that all your hard work, dedication, and time spent studying paid off.

You know it’s midterm season when you enter a Columbia library and notice the remarkable stink coming from the commune of stressed overachievers hoarding library seats. During midterm season, people seem to forget the basics of being a civilized student and become stress-driven, caffeine-fueled students. Beware as students may forget to take showers, leave their belongings—including food—for days on end in Butler Library, and fight you for sought-after library chairs. During these tumultuous times, Spectrum is here to remind you of some basic college etiquette to make your life, and the lives of people around you, more accessible.

As the calendar flips to February, get ready to see Columbia come alive with a celebration of culture and unity for Black History Month. In the heart of New York City, where the past meets the present, Spectrum has compiled a list of events on and off campus where you can learn more about the Black community and celebrate the rich tapestry of African American history and culture.

Furnald Hall’s reputation as a less-preferred first-year dorm often overshadows its numerous advantages. Students in Furnald have the benefit of living near all the essential first-year resources, guaranteeing an environment in which they can excel. Despite students’ initial impression, Furnald embodies a blend of characteristics which contributes to an unexpectedly enriching residential experience.

Oh, the chaos of college midterms! We’ve reached the point in the semester where every student transforms into a caffeine-fueled nocturnal creature, haunted by stacks of flashcards and CourseWorks notifications. We understand how difficult it may be to manage all the deadlines and exams, but fear not, your friends at Spectrum have compiled a list of academic resources that can make the midterm season more manageable.

Calling all “RuPaul’s Drag Race” enthusiasts! Tired of nagging your friends to start watching “Drag Race” so you can indulge in your love of RuPaul with someone? We get it. That’s why we have put together a step-by-step plan on how to host a “RuPaul’s Drag Race” viewing party and finally get your friends to join the fun of discovering America’s next drag superstar.

Ah, it’s that time of year again. The air is beginning to chill, the leaves are starting to fall, and Homecoming is steadily approaching. You’re sure to hear “What are your plans for Homecoming?” Sometimes, as you’re nodding and blindly agreeing to plans, you may realize you honestly have no idea what everyone is talking about—you’ve never heard of a darty or a borg. If that is the case, don’t worry. Spectrum is here to give you some essential words to add to your vocabulary as Homecoming approaches.