I’m aware that I’m not that observant.

Before starting this, I have to defend myself by saying that I do, in fact, do my research. I’m just not that observant. My walks from my dorm to class have always been overwhelming enough—with students blocking my route by stopping to talk in walkways, my weekly awkward conversations with former classmates, and just the general doom I feel for the day. I assumed that I learned everything I needed to know about Columbia during NSOP. I realized that I, a junior, have had a few too many mid-conversations realizations about Columbia over the years. I usually realize that I’ve been lacking in knowledge by talking with someone, listening to mention a small thing about campus, then realizing I never knew that piece of information. I don’t admit it on the spot. I just make a mental note and pretend I’ve known it all along. But why not make a list? Here are a few (embarrassingly) late realizations I’ve had about Columbia over the years. 

  1. The Quad

As a CC student, I’ve never lived in a Barnard dorm, but I kept hearing Barnard students talk about a mysterious “quad.” I would just pretend that I knew what it looked like, but weirdly enough, I was always just imagining Futter Field. I finally saw the real Quad one day as a freshman, and it felt mythical and somehow still overwhelming. It’s a nice courtyard, nonetheless. There’s grass. There are tables and chairs. It’s generally a cozy spot for Barnard first-years. I’ve seen it once, but I’m still not sure that it’s real. Surely it’s a portal to something. 

  1. JJ’s has waffles.

I’m actually really ashamed of this one. Basically, when I first arrived, I assumed I would never go to JJ’s because it was correctly described to me as the “fast food joint” of campus, and that’s not really my thing. I’m afraid to say that I was a second-semester freshman when I went to JJ’s and realized that you could just…order waffles. I still haven’t done it, but I think about it often.

  1. Pulitzer Hall has exclusive access.

I didn’t realize this until I had to go to Pulitzer Hall for my job as a fall-semester junior. I confidently walked to the door, tapped my ID, and the scanner went red, yet I still pulled on the door with my full force. Surprise! It didn’t work. I had to wait for the person behind me to use their ID. I explained my dilemma to the person I was working with and had to be told that undergraduates don’t have immediate access. This one wasn’t really my fault. Maybe it was, and everyone knows this. I still have no idea, and I don’t care that much.

  1. Avery has a basement.

This one REALLY wasn’t my fault. I didn’t really know about this until Columbia announced the failed experiment that was Cafe Wallabout when I was a fall sophomore. Avery’s basement was Columbia’s best-kept secret (in my mind). Since finding out about it, I’ve made a fun study spot out of it. I tend to get a lot of creative inspiration and produce some banger papers here, despite seeing a mouse there once. I took a break until I was  brave enough to come back, but I can proudly report that I have not seen—or looked for—a mouse in the Avery basement ever since.

Sign for the former Cafe Wallabout
  1. Makerspace

I found out about Makerspace during the spring in my freshman year, but I didn’t realize how many things they offer until I was a sophomore. I love this place, and more Columbia students should visit. I’ve seen Sidechat, so I know you all need hobbies. Visit Makerspace.

Barnard Quad header via Bwog Archives.

Barnard Quad via Bwog Archives.

Cafe Wallabout sign via Bwog Archives.