Bacchanal is a tried-and-true annual Columbia tradition dating back to 1964. Over the years, it has featured performances from top artists such as Snoop Dogg, Rae Sremmurd, and Ty Dolla Sign, solidifying its reputation as an event you won’t want to miss. But Bacchanal isn’t just about the big-name acts; it’s also a platform for students to showcase their talents, with a student performer opening the event. If you’re still feeling a bit confused, Spectrum is here to help answer any questions you might have.

On campus, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and the weather is getting better. The sun is shining brightly as students play frisbee, dogs play catch, and adorable babies in puffer jackets run around Low Steps. You might also spot many couples around campus, whether they’re lounging by the Sundial or frolicking down College Walk.

It’s less than one month away from spring, and we all know what that means: midterm season, spring break, and the looming threat of the housing lottery. Every year, Columbia and Barnard students engage in the rat race for the best dorms possible for the upcoming school year, regardless of their odds. And every year, hundreds of students walk away without their first-choice dorm, carrying with them a small sense of loss. For some students, that loss is deeply personal—rather than losing a “good” housing option, they feel like they’ve lost friends in the process.

Your Google calendar is filled with color-coded boxes and your readings for class take up half of them. There’s a problem set due in 30 minutes that you haven’t started yet, and you’re supposed to do a 50-page class reading that’ll take hours. You know you need to do your readings, but you wonder how you can cut down the time it takes. Does this scenario sound familiar? If so, find a good place to open up that book and follow these steps to trim down your reading time.

This February, Spectrum highlights Black Columbia alumni to recognize and honor their achievements and impact on Columbia’s legacy. Celebrate the rich history Columbia has to offer while learning about some of the varied experiences of Black alumni.

It’s that time of the year at Columbia—no, not midterms or finals— internship application season. Campus is buzzing with students pursuing internships, so much so that it’s easy to get tangled in a web of comparison. The air is full of discussions about who secured an offer, and the question “what are your summer plans?” floats through the breeze like a napkin swirling through the streets of New York City.

Hot take: You don’t need to leave the Morningside bubble—everything you need for a fulfilling college life can be found within a few blocks of the Morningside campus.

Columbia students are often used to feeling the rewarding highs of success and the rush of endorphins after receiving a good grade. But what is success without its failures? Sometimes, things don’t always go according to plan, and you end up getting a bad grade here and there. When this happens, the most important thing is how you respond to this setback. Spectrum is here with our outline of the five stages of grief, based on the Kubler-Ross’ model of grief to provide moral support as you cope with the disappointment of not receiving the grade that you might have expected or wanted.

Whether this is your first or last year of college, it’s never too late to start new traditions with your friends! Spectrum is here to inspire you with some ideas for things to do together, no matter the size of your friend group. Your time at Columbia is limited, so be sure to make the most of it.