In October 2003 (before Bwog was even a word!), The Blue & White made a long list of advice for freshmen. We’ll give you slices of that advice every morning of NSOP, so you can start your day with confidence and finesse and one of those good chocolate chip muffins from John Jay, plus hash […]

International and West Coast freshmen moved in today, campus was calm in the afternoon. Tomorrow, it will be 95 degrees and absolutely insane. Two scenes from the last quiet Sunday till winter break:

The NSOP 2010 theme has, we hear, been altered. Instead of The Odyssey, our NSOP spies inform us that it’s…2001, uh, make that 2010: A Space Odyssey. Apparently, much distress was caused by Bwog’s call of CC-centrism. Despite the fact that the NSOP t-shirts and NSOP schedule books seem to be dominated by the theme […]

The Container Store is still open; return your stupid storage boxes today! If you’re anything like us, you’re spending hours researching and cross-referencing lists of things to take to school.  Living in the storage closets that are Columbia dorms presents its own special challenges, however, so we’ve compiled a list of the things we Bwog […]

Holy smokes 2014, you’re going to college tomorrow! Let Bwog help you pack. International and West Coast kids are already on campus– take advantage of your Bed, Bath and Beyond trip! Making friends is stressful. Exhale, friends. With a few simple tchotchkes, your classmates and your floormates will flock to your room, you can talk […]

Update, 8/28: Remember that bizarro fire ritual (not this one) they do one night of NSOP? We hear that this year, that’s being replaced with a screening of Remember the Titans. Freshmen-in-waiting, break out your day planners…now! The 2010 NSOP Committee released the precious schedule books today, which as always contain more mandatory Orientation activities […]

Christy Carlson Romano of Kim Possible fame is back at Barnard! She was spotted in the Reslife office today, and is here to finish her degree. Barnard deans have apparently forbidden Barnard OLs from high-fiving first-years as they walk through the Gates yelling and screaming on the first night of college. Columbia and Barnard OLs […]

NSOP schedules aren’t released till tomorrow, but Bwog’s been tipped that the 2010 Orientation theme is the Odyssey. You know, like the Core Curriculum, the cornerstone of your Columbia education unless you’re in Barnard or SEAS! We cry Columbia-College-centrism, just so you’ll stop accusing Bwog of it. We wait with bated breath for the activities […]

With pictures snapping, campus safety patrolling and students and professors promenading en masse, this afternoon’s convocation began with all the fanfare of a red carpet affair.  After brief introductions given by Dean Kevin Shollenberger and Dehui Kong, CC ’11 and NSOP Coordinator in Chief,  faculty celebs took the podium to address students and parents of […]

At some point on the first day of Orientation, a sudden realization hits many a first-year: there are a lot of new people here (and one or two of them are hot!). Winning the friend lottery from this mass of people requires mastery of multiple tactics: Talk to random strangers.  Within a few short weeks, […]

2013, you’ve just arrived on campus, and we know it’s rough out there. Orientation is awkward. You don’t know these people. You have to play Two Truths and A Lie and decide what color M&M you would be. “Wait, blue?! ZOMG, me too!” So while you desperately try to settle in, consider what your comrades […]

Earlier this afternoon, the coordinators over at NSOP finally released their schedule book, a hefty pamphlet full of some orientation activities and some more advertising. The breakdown, day-by-day: Monday: Convocation, OL meetings, Class Act/College Night, blah, blah, etc. Tuesday: This year’s Lit Hum first class teacher? Gareth Williams. SEAS, on the other hand, gets the […]

Fresh-faced 2013ers smile for the camera after arriving for COOP. – Photo by Char Smullyan

Do you have what it takes to be an NSOP coordinator? Only if you can follow rules and procedures, as posted in the SGO.    Several questions:  “Be nice to gatekeepers” – who are these gatekeepers, and what magical land are they guarding? “No skirts that Deans would not approve” – how does NSOP test […]

2012ers are probably aware of tonight’s event, but upperclassmen on campus might not know that Lerner has been taken over by NSOP. It appears that they’re going for a Boardwalk-like theme, as the entertainment includes “free popcorn and photo booths,” as well as caricature portraits! Roller coaster tickets not included, but free popcorn does mean […]