Across Columbia, there are over 500 student clubs and organizations — an intimidating number. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of clubs there are on campus, not to mention the variety of events that are always occurring.
Though college life is often portrayed as a never ending party with boundless opportunities to create a robust social life, it’s normal for freshmen and transfer students to face difficulties forming connections. Finding a community during your first couple of months makes adjusting to life at Columbia and in NYC much easier. The best way to find similar-minded people is to join a student organization or get involved in activities within the local community. Living in a major metropolitan city means that a problem you could often face is having too many options to choose from, resulting in persistently feeling a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out). If you’re indecisive (like me), and easily get choice overload, these centralized resources will help you to choose spaces to join on campus.
MillieLink + LionLink
MillieLink and LionLink are websites for students to find events run by departments or registered clubs. MillieLink is Barnard specific, whereas LionLink is ideal for finding events in CC dorms and communal spaces. Aside from the event calendar homepage, the site lists a variety of clubs and news articles that feature announcements. One caveat is that not every organization is present on the site, meaning that it isn’t comprehensive. Both MillieLink and LionLink event calendars, however, are updated frequently.
Columbia University Events Website
Did you know that there’s an official website listing campus events that are mostly free and open to the public? If you’re looking for low cost options, this resource is a great place to start. Past events have included mindfulness workshops, lectures on artificial intelligence, and introduction classes to video editing. To see event calendars for specific schools, see “Other Calendars” and visit their websites.
Bulletin Boards
The most traditional resource on this list, bulletin boards are a universal staple in colleges across the U.S. Ever present in libraries, dorms, and hallways, they’re the easiest way to see which events are happening for the week. Flyers from numerous clubs are often littered everywhere, making it easy to find activities to engage in. Popular spots for poster viewing are the first floor of Diana, above printers in Milstein, and the walls next to dorm elevators. Though physical bulletin boards are often unorganized and crowded, they’re a classic way to get a hold of unique student-run events run by unofficial clubs.
Student Life/Academic Department Newsletters
Being a student at Barnard or Columbia means that you are automatically signed up for what feels like a million newsletters. Though this task may seem tedious, reading newsletters from student life is a great way to learn about free film screenings, conferences, faculty lunches, and even Broadway tickets. Some interestings options are the SEE, SGA, Design Center, and Sloate Media Center newsletters. Signing up for newsletters from different academic departments also allows you to access information about events featuring guest speakers from specific fields.
LionClubs
Created by SEAS students to combat Covid-fueled isolation, LionClubs is a centralized online database where students can find both official and unofficial clubs across all schools. Students can search for organizations filtering by category, member size, and whether they’re open for applications. Clubs featured on the site indicate how many times per week they meet, application requirements, and their social media platforms for students to follow.
The Bulletin
The Bulletin is Columbia’s newest “campus event discovery platform.” This resource allows students to search for organizations based on their interests in a centralized location. Students can also find applications for fellowships, e-board positions, and volunteering opportunities. The greatest feature of The Bulletin is the personalized and dynamic experience it offers students. It notifies students of recommended and trending events, as well as the most popular clubs. The Bulletin CU app is available on the Apple Store to download on mobile devices.
Whether you’re looking for a permanent club to spend all four years or a one-off event with free food, these resources will help you become more aware of the many spaces on campus to meet new people. Club leaders are always eager to see people attend their events, even if you aren’t an official member or frequent meeting goer. Go forth and enjoy your college experience to the fullest!