A Day in the Life of a Columbia Student
The first thing you’ll notice about Columbia is that a lot is happening. More than 400 clubs and organizations are on campus, meaning there’s something for everyone. If you’re into sports, there are intramural teams for basketball, soccer and many other sports. If you like playing competitively, you can also play pickup games with friends or join an intramural league
The University Center (UC) is a hub of activity and has everything you need to eat, study and socialize
It’s home to over 30 restaurants and cafes with options for every taste. UC also has a variety of shops and stores that sell everything from textbooks to kitchenware.
If you want to study in peace, there are quiet zones where noise is prohibited–or if you prefer more company while looking, choose one of the many outdoor tables available on campus grounds!
The library has study rooms open all night, 24 hours a day
The library is open 24 hours a day and has study rooms open all night. The library also has a computer lab, a quiet reading room where you can read or study without being too loud (or at all), and a media lab with computers with access to Columbia’s databases.
There are more than 300 student organizations on campus to join
There are clubs for everything from cooking (there is a club called “Cooking for Humans”) to politics (the Politics Society) and sports (the Columbia University Rugby Football Club). Many groups also focus on social justice issues, like the Arab Student Organization or Black Women United at Columbia.
If you’re looking for something less structured but still want a chance to meet new people who share similar passions with yours, think about joining an interest group such as Toastmasters International–a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people develop communication skills through public speaking competitions–or even just hanging out with friends after class!
At Columbia, there’s something for everyone
The university offers more than 300 student organizations and clubs, so you can get involved in whatever interests you. For instance, if you’re interested in music or dance, many choirs and performance groups on campus would love you to join them!
If politics are more your thing, check out one of the many political organizations at Columbia, such as Model UN (where I first got my start). This club allows students from all majors to unite to debate global issues such as climate change or nuclear weapons policy; it’s an excellent place for networking with like-minded people who share similar values about how our world should function.
If activism is where your heart lies, then consider joining Power Up!, which is dedicated to helping low-income communities through volunteer work around New York City–it’s always nice knowing that when we’re not studying hard enough ourselves because we’re too busy worrying about passing exams, then others will still pick up our slack!
Academics
The academic rigour at Columbia is high, and it’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re looking for an easy A, there is a better place for you–students are expected to work hard and do their best. However, if you want to learn more about your field and expand your knowledge base, Columbia will provide continuous research and study abroad opportunities.
Community service is also essential here: students are expected to contribute meaningfully on and off campus throughout their time at Columbia University (and beyond).
Traditions
Columbia has so many traditions that it’s impossible to list them all here. But here are a few of the most notable:
- Student activism
- Student engagement
- Student life (including student clubs, athletics, and Greek life)
- Diversity in all forms (race/ethnicity; gender identity and sexual orientation; religion; socioeconomic background)
- Community service
Student Wellness
The Student Wellness Center (SWC) is the hub for all things health and wellness at Columbia University. Located on the third floor of Low Library, it provides students with various resources, including mental health counselling, sexual assault prevention education and support services, wellness workshops and more.
The SWC also runs a robust peer-to-peer mentoring program that pairs new students with upper-level students who can offer guidance throughout their first year at Columbia. The SWC’s staff includes licensed mental health clinicians who work one-on-one with students; these counsellors are available during office hours and after hours via phone or text message if you need help outside regular working hours.
