As the city that never sleeps, New York City is the perfect place for fitness enthusiasts. From luxury gyms offering the latest workout trends to open-air classes in Central Park, the options are endless.

You probably never think about where you can buy scissors until you’re halfway through hanging up fairy lights with your roommate three weeks into the semester. Or, maybe your dry shampoo runs out thirty minutes before a club meeting.

When I was a sixth grader, I would obsess over stationery with my best friend, Jenna. We would scour through magazines for the hottest new Japanese pencils and erasers, test out different highlighters, and watch back-to-school hauls from our favorite YouTubers. What once was an obsession has now mellowed out into practicality—having the right school supplies and technology can be game-changing for your productivity at college. From the perfect pen for note-taking to the right tech to stay organized, here are my personal top 10 choices for school supplies and technology that can set you up for success this semester.

If you’ve ever found yourself doom scrolling through Sidechat at 2 a.m., reading posts about campus drama, oddly specific inside jokes, or the occasional philosophical debate, you’re not alone. Sidechat has become a go-to platform for students looking to learn the latest news and connect through digital campus culture, without the pressure of tying their names to their posts.

As the semester winds down and the calendar year comes to an end, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by deadlines, final exams, and the pressure to end the year strong. But finishing the year on a high note doesn’t have to mean doing everything perfectly. What truly matters is reflecting on the past, being intentional about the year ahead, and making decisions that lead to growth, leaving you feeling accomplished and refreshed. Here’s how to approach this pivotal time as the new year approaches!

With the holiday season just around the corner, it’s officially time to cue up some classic Christmas hits! Yes, we know it’s only November, but it’s never too early to start—or so we think. Whether you plan to spend this season baking cookies, sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace, or hanging out with friends and family, nothing sets the festive mood quite like the perfect holiday jams.

With Thanksgiving break just around the corner, most of your friends are bound for home, ready to catch a break from the bustling city life. However, you may feel stuck on campus. Luckily, you don’t have to be! Your friends here at Spectrum have compiled a list of short day trips for you to enjoy New York state’s natural beauty and take the breather you deserve.

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.

“And 5… 4… 3… 2… 1. Pencils down!” Those words signal the end of a familiar and stressful experience. Shoulders drop, students lean back in their seats with a wave of relief—or maybe disappointment—but at last, it’s over. With exams behind them, a question remains: What comes next?