Welcome to Columbia! Here's Your 2025 Guide to Life in New York City
Part Ivy campus, part city streets—let's make this place your own.
There really is no place like Columbia. And there's certainly no city like New York. As you get prepped for a new academic year, we've gathered the essentials to help you feel at home on campus and to help you tap into the city that never sleeps (except for you: sleep is good!).
You're about to be juggling classes, clubs, subway delays, floormate friendships, and runs to your favorite bodega. Don't worry—we've got you. This is your starter pack for surviving and thriving at Columbia. Think: where to go, how to meet people, and how to make this whole experience feel authentically yours.
Do you have more questions you'd like answered about the ins and outs of the Columbia experience? Email [email protected]. We'll get right on it!
GET TO KNOW YOUR NEW NEIGHBORHOOD
"You should explore New York City just like you would as a tourist, whether you are from New York City or here for the first time. It's easy to get caught up in your classes, but part of coming to Columbia is about taking advantage of the best city in the world!"
— Michelle Young (GSAPP'12) Founder of Untapped New York
Making the Most of the City
Now's the time to take advantage of being on a campus in the city. Here are some ideas for how to get out and about all over NYC.
"The Hungarian Pastry Shop is that rare spot where the dreamy fantasy of college life meets reality."
— Columbia College Today on "the most nostalgic noshes and hallowed hangouts" for Columbia students
Insider Info to Make Campus Life Complete
"Taking small classes, like language classes, has been a great way for me to meet people on campus. Attending events organized by the student councils, or joining clubs that I am curious about, have also helped me in meeting a lot of smart, kind-hearted, and gifted people."
— Pablo Torres Rey (CC'25)
Playlists for Your Columbia Era
Dive Into the Arts
“Go to things you’re interested in, even if you don’t have a friend to go with!”
— Emily Tillet (MSPH’23)
Deals and Discounts to Help You Experience More
Health, Wellness, and Setting Yourself Up for Success
"Acknowledge that both you and others have the capacity for change. Holding on to the idea that people will always be who they are now shapes our attitudes and behaviors toward others, perhaps creating a self-fulfilling prophecy where people don't change much because others don't treat them like they can."
— Larisa Heiphetz Solomon, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology
More Resources
Columbia Health offers health and well-being services and programs to Columbia students and affiliates on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses. Are you a student on the CUIMC campus? Check out Student Health on Haven, which provides a range of services to help prevent problems before they develop.
Here are a few services to help get you started:
Join the Fun at Welcome Week
University Life invites you to Columbia Welcome Week, a two-week-long series of events and activities designed to help undergrad and graduate students connect with Columbia’s vibrant community, explore campus life, and prepare for academic success.