ππ Dispatch #03
What's been up since 8/17: Course Registration Social this Sunday, free stuff you can get as a college student and Finding People in Your Area.
π¬ From theΒ Columbia Connect Community
Columbia Connect keeps growing!
We had our Times Square Social last Sunday π So many people attended that the website crashed after just 10 minutes (weβre sorry about that - we had no idea about the turn out)π₯ Thankfully, we had planned an after party, which ~80-100 people attended. People stayed on for 2-3 hours, talking, bonding and connecting. THANK YOU for hanging out with us!
We officially have 14 Happy Hour events planned by fellow first years starting the week after NSOPπ₯³ From virtual dance workouts to a Sally Rooney literary society, we have FUN EVENTS planned for you this year.
Our first batch of βColumbia Connecteeβsβ have their last bonding sessions this week. We have seen so many friendships blossom and bloom after just 3 weeks of games, mini presentations and conversations. Weβre ready for the next batch soon!π«
π Where in the Worldβ¦?

We got so much interest in our βWhere in the Worldβ series that we decided to create a form called βFind People in Your Areaβ. Since college is online, look out for invites for location based virtual mixers from us. Feel free to create GroupMeβs and have safe and socially distanced meet-ups in your area if youβd like a study buddy or a new friend to hang out with. Fill out our form below!
πTo Live and Die on the Internet
We at Columbia Connect are not going to pretend as though we werenβt Extremely Online pre-pandemic as well, but these new circumstances have taken our internet addiction to new and dizzying heights. Each week, weβll share a link or two to cool websites, virtual events, and online exhibitions we find interesting. Let us know if any of them particularly resonated with you! If youβve come across anything cool that you would like to share with the community or have thoughts on a particular link weβve shared donβt hesitate to reach out!
This weekβs picks:
Check out remotestudents.coβs gap year community! You can find out about internship opportunities and connect with other students who are planning to take the year (or semester) off.
2. WindowSwap.
If youβre bored staring out your own window, why not stare out someone elseβs window? WindowSwap is your chance to peek out of random strangersβ windows around the world. Go on and take a sneaky look!
β
Β Our Tip of the Week
Tip #03: Youβre officially a COLLEGE STUDENT! Now you can get access to a bunch of free stuff, get discounts and great deals on Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify, Microsoft Office, and the Washington Post. Check out UNiDAYS and sign up with your college email. Trust us, it will save you a lot of $$.
πStudent Spotlight
Meet Hannah (she/her) an incoming freshman hoping to major in Economics (and maybe Psychology!)Β

Find me on: Instagram
Aspirations: biZneSs
Motivations: shiba inus, citrus candles, marketing, Vice podcasts, carrot cake, sparkling water, and atla
Frustrations: too cold, canβt surf π lack of Asian rep in media
Something random: I play the harp!! Also, I will beat you in Mario Kart :)
Currently on repeat: Post Malone, Rich Brian, Rex, Kota the Friend, Playboi Carti
π
Β Upcoming Events
Course Registration Social, Sunday, August 30th at 12PM EST

We know youβre in the midst of deciding what classes to take. Come hang with us this Sunday at 12PM EST to alleviate any confusion you may have. Weβll have a breakout room with a panel of upperclassmen to advise you on classes youβve picked, provide you with inside info on workload etc., and give you tips on how to do online school. Weβll also have breakout rooms named after various big classes (like Econ 101, LitHum etc.) so you can get to know your peers before school starts!
Calendar invites will be sent soon. Stay tuned.
We have a ton of bonding sessions lined up this week. Our team continues to dedicate itself to ensuring that you meet and interact with people we feel youβd hit it off with. We hope youβre as excited as our Connectors are to bond and make new friends!
βΌοΈβΌοΈIf you havenβt signed up yet, donβt worry - thereβs still plenty of timeβΌοΈβΌοΈΒ Sign up now and weβll match you based on your preferences:
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Questions for us or feedback? Let us know what youβre thinking! Weβre currently working on other sections of our newsletter we think you may enjoy. If you have ideas on what youβd like to see contact usΒ hereΒ or feel free to write to us at columbiaconnects@gmail.com