Welcome to Columbia! Now is the time to choose your own adventure.
Every Columbian’s journey starts the same way: at the beginning. Where you go next is up to you.
There’s just no one way to do Columbia University right. Some students find their footing in a favorite library by week two. Others find it at a buzzing coffee shop that’s three subway lines from campus, or working in a lab past midnight, or in a game of ultimate frisbee on the lawns.
This year, we’re just going to call it what it is: you are on an adventure, an odyssey. New city, new campus, new people, and a whole year (or years) of choices ahead of you.
Let’s just say we were influenced by the blockbuster film adaptation this summer. Or our Lit Hum professors’ takes on it, seeing as Homer’s epic is a part of every student’s first-year curriculum in the Core.
We’ve got you covered with plenty of guides on how to navigate your journey. Think: where to go, how to connect with people, and how to make the most of your time here.
Whether you’re new or returning, what do you want to know about Columbia as you start the school year?
Meet Your Mentors
We asked Columbians who’ve been on the journey—a second-year student, two librarians, an alumna, two professors, and a neighbor—to be your guides. Mentors, if you will (a term that originated in The Odyssey, natch).
Below, they’ll share where to go, who to meet, how to figure out your purpose, and how they built a life here. Plus, some favorite spots to eat, study, and get away from it all.
“I think the real value in moving to a place like New York, and a campus like Columbia, and actually living here, is the exploration.”
— Brian A. Smith, Associate Professor of Computer Science
Chart Your Path
Every good adventure needs a map. Or at least someone who has wandered the terrain before and knows where all the good stuff is hiding. Here’s your key to Morningside, Manhattanville, CUIMC, and more.
“Explore as much as you can, do not stay in your room, do not be shy, talk to everyone, go to office hours, network, talk to your professor as much as you can. Go to the events, and please check weekly emails.”
— Rukhsar Balki (SIPA’26)
Get Set Up
Start with a packing list. Pick up some #lifehacks. Tips for moving in and settling in.
Stay in the Know
Playlists to Set the Mood
Get Involved, Connect, and Give Back
Whether it's a club that matches a niche interest or a way to give back in your new neighborhood, here are some ideas to begin building community.
“Through this garden, I saw how you can make friends in a third space, in a community space.”
— Buyi Wang, Finding Community (and Chickens!) Through the Gatehouse Garden
Explore the City
Call us crazy, but the best part of any adventure usually lives in the detours. Once you know your way around campus, it's time to see what actually awaits you in the city. We've got some ideas for you.
Eat & Drink Nearby
Into the City
... And a Few Ideas Nearby to Check Out
Deals and Discounts for Columbians
Rest, Recover, and Reset
Along the journey, you may be wondering how to support your health and well-being. Luckily, there are many resources here to help you right from the moment you begin.
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.
Join the Fun at Welcome Week
Connect in person in the first few weeks of class at University Life’s Columbia Welcome Week activities. This series of events and activities is designed to help undergrad and graduate students connect with Columbia’s vibrant community, explore campus life, and prepare for academic success. A great first step on your adventure here.