The wind is picking up pace, campus is packed with first-years buzzing in a fall frenzy, and the city smells like light-jacket weather. New York City offers endless stories and Insta-worthy snaps, but it also comes with challenges unique to the city—like your first time walking alongside a flock of pigeons or worrying about wobbly scaffolding. Spectrum has compiled a list of culture shocks we’ve experienced during our time in the city, to remind you that you are not alone and that you will—after all—get used to it.

You got a lot out of your time at Columbia: endless all-nighters at Butler, sun-soaked afternoons out on the lawns, and an unparalleled appreciation for public transportation. As for finding the one? That didn’t quite make the list.

Only Pam confiscating your electronic devices could have kept you from the television phenomenon otherwise known as season three of “The White Lotus.” We were all hooked by the chaotic character dynamics and jaw-dropping events for the thrilling eight-week run of the show’s most recent season.

It’s that time of the year again: We rush to the directory of classes and schedule appointments with advisors in order to plan out the next semester. While sticking to your major or minor requirements is key, there’s also a wide range of electives worth exploring. To help you find the perfect fit, here are some electives that the Spectrum staff can vouch for.

Being a first-generation, low-income student at Columbia can be challenging and feel isolating, and navigating the multiple resources the University offers can often be confusing and tedious. That being said, taking advantage of Columbia’s services can help you integrate into college and set you up for success. To simplify access to these resources, Spectrum has put together a list of school-specific support services, along with general resources to help you thrive.

When you think of New York City, you think of hat-topping skyscrapers, mean thrift finds, walks through Central Park, sleepless nights—and of course, pizza. Lots of it. Spectrum took a tour of some of the better-known pizzerias in the city, as well as some close to home to deliver our ratings for your next best slice find in the city. In honor of brain rot being Oxford University Press’s 2024 word of the year, and since we’re chronically online (send help), this pizza rating is inspired by the Costco Boom guys, and each slice shop will be rated on a scale of 5 booms.

It was 1:04 p.m. on a Tuesday, and I was on my way to my third class of the day. Having woken up at 7 a.m. (a true crime in itself), I was already tired, foggy-brained, and worst of all, parched.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, the pressure to plan the perfect date can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re on a budget. If you’ve been saving every cute couple Reel or TikTok for inspiration but never actually go back to them, you’re not alone. But don’t worry! Spectrum has compiled a list of affordable yet memorable Valentine’s Day date ideas that will make your day special.

Columbia students are back on campus, and while the city’s freezing temperatures aren’t exactly welcoming, we hope your new year is off to a good start. Now that February is finally here, it’s time to follow through on those New Year’s resolutions, starting with reading something other than your course syllabi. Besides a certain Atlantic article, who says Columbia students can’t read? Spectrum is here with our top book recommendations to help you on your reading journey.

With the sun setting before you finish your last class of the day, the wind brisker as you walk back to your dorm, and the increasing difficulty of leaving the comfort of your bed in the mornings, the first signs of winter are upon us. As we leave behind the falling leaves of autumn for a season of bleary eyes and chapped lips, Spectrum is here to help you through the home stretch of the semester.