As college students, we learn to make do with what we can get—especially when it comes to food. This might mean late-night Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, ramen packets, or all the other typical overdone college-student meals that you have probably eaten. But at some point in every student’s journey, they discover a ray of sunshine in a world of otherwise fairly mediocre meals: Trader Joe’s. With its unique variety of delicious frozen meals that take minutes to prepare, you’ll never have to go a day without a good meal. Of course, frozen meals should not be your only source of nutrition—but they come in clutch.

Following Homecoming festivities and Halloweekend shenanigans comes a definitive milestone in your Columbia journey: major declaration.

School spirit at Columbia is much like the owl in our beloved Alma’s robes: a thing of overt mystery. Homecoming weekend is one of the only times in the year when we redeem ourselves of our scant school spirit and celebrate with roaring pride.

With midterm madness finally past us, it is time to celebrate by going all out this Homecoming weekend and making it the best you will ever remember—or not remember. The routinely lackluster school spirit and the comfy sweatpants and hoodie combo will be replaced with Columbia merch, foam fingers, and, more often than not, a red solo cup.

In the blink of an eye, we are in the midst of midterm season. Tackling multiple exams in the same week—if not the same day—can be incredibly daunting and chaotic. Under such a high-stress environment, it can be incredibly helpful to have a pattern of studying that does not fail you, whether it is a day or a week before your exam. Spectrum’s quiz to find your best study method can help you weed out no-result techniques and find the preparation method that best suits your needs!

As both the winds and the semester begin to pick up, it is time to say goodbye to “brat” summer and hello to “falling-behind” fall. Whether it’s your readings taunting you from your bookshelf where they have become mere decorations, or having to block four hours a day for studying in your schedule, we have officially entered the trenches of the semester.

Hey, Upper West Siders! As the semester kicks into high gear and stress starts to grow, don’t let your comfort food habits take a bite out of your wallet. With a slew of tempting eateries around campus, it’s easy to indulge—until that $80 bill lands on your table with the least amount of fanfare.

With calendars filled with classes and pantries stocked with snacks for sleepless school nights, the school year is back in full swing. As we get back into the flow of the semester and near the end of the shopping period, understanding how the Core Curriculum differs for students at the School of Engineering and Applied Science can be significant for your career at Columbia.

With graduation right around the corner, a monumental chapter of many students’ lives is coming to an end. Your time as a Columbia or Barnard student ending does not mean that you can’t stay connected to the bright and diverse community that you have cultivated during your time here. Here are Spectrum’s tips on making the most out of the Columbia and Barnard communities after graduation.

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.