spectrum: Social

Finding and creating lasting memories with your roommate(s) is one of the most exciting parts of college. During a pandemic, it is especially important to be cautious about whom you decide to cohabit with. Roommates can make or break your experience. Murky boundaries can lead to unpleasant exchanges. Based on our own highs and lows, here are tips for choosing a roommate or getting along better with current ones, and a sample roommate contract for you both to talk through!

Dating was hard even before a worldwide pandemic hit. With regulations on group gatherings and social distancing measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, finding love now might feel impossible. If you’ve been feeling extra lonely this year, Spectrum created a guide to dating during the coronavirus.

Every roommate comes with their quirks. These TV shows present the best (and worst) kinds of roommates you might have, from comedians and party animals to neat freaks and grouches. Whether you’re searching for a roommate now or you’ve had the same one for the past four years, take a look through these iconic roommates and find out which one you vibe with.

The pandemic has changed many of our favorite holidays, including Halloween. Even so, this year might just be the perfect opportunity to expand your trick-or-treating network beyond your neighborhood. Though most Halloween activities need to be virtual for safety purposes, this creates an opportunity to connect with your friends who may not be in your physical neighborhood. Here are some ideas to kick-start your Halloween party.

College away from campus is a new but not impossible concept. With this semester taking a remote form, we lose the in-person aspect of socializing. Luckily for you, we have compiled some tips and resources to help you make friends from a distance.

It feels like forever since we received that first email from University President Lee Bollinger that canceled all further social gatherings on campus and moved classes online. After almost two months of social distancing, the current circumstances have revealed distinct personality types as we all learn to cope in different ways. The way you spend your time can tell you more about yourself than perhaps any social gathering could. Here’s a list of the different types of people during lockdown.

A majority of us are confined to our homes during this pandemic—perhaps in our childhood bedrooms, homes or apartments. Regardless, it’s understandably difficult to be in touch with friends and the rhythm of Columbia’s community like we usually are. Although it takes a bit more effort than usual, it’s not impossible to foster a sense of solidarity and community among Columbia students and others who have also moved to quarantine and, subsequently, virtual learning. If you’re feeling a little disconnected lately, try exploring some of the options below, and hopefully, you’ll find some that brighten up your day.