Your Columbia Student Starter Pack 2024

Whether you're arriving at Columbia for your first semester or have been here for many years, we could all use a little inspiration to make the Columbia experience the very best it can be. That means getting to know our campuses, services, traditions, and even New York City itself. After all, that's one of the best things about Columbia...getting to experience the campus and the city. 

Please consider this Back-to-School Starter Pack a *virtual orientation kit* from a knowledgeable new friend. Below, you'll find everything from trivia and #lifehacks to how-tos, who-to-follows, tours, and discounts.

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!

And in the meantime, don't forget to bookmark these information hubs on campus access alerts, campus resources in times of crisis, emergency preparedness,  dining hall hours and menus, and library hours too.

Bottom-line Advice: "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

More Resources for Getting Around

• The definitive source for maps and how-to-get-around guides at Columbia
• Where to go for transportation information, including shuttles, subways, and walking directions

Bottom-line Advice: “Don't worry too much about grades. It's important to do well academically, but that's not all. Go out and experience the rich cultures around you. Go out and meet people. Start a conversation at a local coffee shop. Be adventurous.” — Eunice Kim (GS’19)

More Resources for Getting to Know Campus Life

• Dialogue Across Difference (DxD) is designed to foster a resilient and inclusive community of learners among students, faculty, and staff and to engage with diverse perspectives and navigate challenging conversations with a shared commitment to mutual understanding and respect. Find events to attend and learning opportunities here. 
• Looking for connection? These five Columbia student projects can help you with that
• We've got a playlist of Columbia campus ambience for your study sessions

Bottom-line Advice: “Go to things you’re interested in even if you don’t have a friend to go with!” — Emily Tillet (MSPH’23)

Bottom-line Advice: "Our research suggests that one good way to prepare for a new beginning is to acknowledge that both you yourself 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

Resources

Columbia Health offers health and well-being services and programs to Columbia students and affiliates on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses. Here are a few services to help get you started:

• Not sure where to start? Make a Health Promotion Appointment for guidance.
• Set yourself up for success with support groups and workshops ranging from stress management and building new connections.
• Bookmark this page for when you need to make an appointment, be it medical, mental health, or a variety of consultations.

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.