Student Life in NYC
It goes without saying that Barnard has top notch academics and opportunities within the classroom. But what are Barnard students up to outside of the classroom? Whether students are participating in extracurricular events, internships, exploring the NYC food scene, adventuring to museums or green spaces, the possibilities are endless. Here is a little glimpse into a Weekend in the life of a Barnard College student!
Saturday Morning: Brunch
The weekend has arrived! While some students prefer to sleep in and relax after a long week of classes, lots of students use their weekend free time to adventure out into the city. Today, I went to a cute restaurant on the Upper West Side. With the 1 Train running down the Upper West Side (and the west side of Manhattan in general), it is incredibly accessible to get anywhere in the city. I hopped on the 1 Train—the 116th Street Columbia University Subway Station is located right outside our main gates—and was seated at the restaurant within minutes. There are hundreds of restaurants in just the Upper West Side, so whether you're craving an omelette like me or anything else, odds are you’ll find a spot with your favorite foods.
In addition to restaurant options off campus, Barnard students have access to many dining halls across both Barnard and Columbia’s campuses. There are coffee shops, all you care to eat buffet style, and grab and go options to satisfy all of your brunch needs.
Saturday Morning: Relax on Campus
New York City is known as the city that never sleeps, but do not worry, there are plenty of quiet spots on Barnard’s campus! Personally, the courtyard in front of Milbank Hall and the cove just outside of the Quad next to Barnard Hall are a few of my favorite quiet, calm outdoor spaces on Barnard’s campus. Listen to some music, do some homework, or just sit and listen to the birds chirp. Also, you are bound to run into your best friends and other friendly faces on campus—so you can relax and unwind and also get some good energy from your peers as they walk by.
If you prefer to stay inside—especially during the winter months—there are some incredible spots on campus to unwind during both the week and on the weekend. The new Mental Wellbeing Spot in the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being has massage chairs and relaxation tools, snacks, comfy couches and chairs, and amazing mood lighting. The Wellness Spot, a wellness resource that supports Barnard students to achieve their academic and developmental potential and goals, hosts workshops, peer-education programming, and provides wellness resources to all Barnard Students. Their office has a space in the Mental Well-Being Center where students can take a nap, grab a snack, study, or hang out with friends.
Lastly, Barnard is just a few short blocks away from Central Park, Riverside Park, Morningside Park, and many more green, zen spaces. These nearby places are perfect for walks, picnics, and more!
Saturday Afternoon: Trip to The Met
This afternoon, I went to The Met with a friend for an art class! Barnard's Foundations Curriculum includes flexible requirements such as “Thinking Locally — New York City,” that encourage all Barnard students to get acquainted with the City. Class visits to museums are not just limited art classes! For example, some language classes take students to museums and go on tours of the museum in that course’s language.
Barnard Students have access to many museums and experiences in the City completely free of charge! A few of the free or discounted admissions museums include The Met, The Modern Museum of Art (MoMA), The Museum of Natural History, Whitney Museum of American Art, The Guggenheim, and more.
In addition to museums, Barnard students have access to subsidized tickets to sporting events! The New York Mets, Yankees, and Nets, as well as the Brooklyn Nets, all provide college students with the opportunity to get cheap tickets.
Barnard takes great strides to make living in New York City accessible and affordable. Whether you are into sports, art, or anything in between, there are always excursion opportunities on the weekends for all students.
Saturday Night: Pre Professional Event
There are well over 500 student-led clubs and organizations across Barnard and Columbia’s campuses—all of which are open to Barnard students. Within this large pool of student groups, there are tons of Pre Professional Societies!
This weekend, I attended a Pi Lambda Sigma (POLIS) Networking Dinner at Columbia University’s Low Library. Whether you are part of a Pre-Professional Society or not, Barnard students are exposed to networks of students and alumni at Barnard College, Columbia University, the Seven Sisters consortium, and more.
In addition, Beyond Barnard is an incredible resource all Barnard students have access to that provides students with resources and guidance on resume crafting, interview preparation, cover letter writing, guidance on applications for internships and fellowships, and more. From your time as an undergraduate student and beyond, Beyond Barnard is there for you every step of the way.
If Pre-Professional Clubs are not your thing, do not worry! Barnard and Columbia clubs include culture, sports, volunteering, performing arts, media and production, publications, interest-based, and student leadership organizations. And if there is a club you are interested in joining but it does not already exist, you can start your own club!
Sunday Morning: Coffee Run
There are so many cute coffee shops in the City, so you are bound to find your favorite beverage to start the day.
Barnard also has a delicious coffee shop right on campus called Liz’s Place! They have the best coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and more! Also, they have a mini convenience store with grab and go bottled drinks (kombucha, soda, etc) and pharmaceutical items (feminine products, lip balm, etc).
Whether you leave campus or stay close to home, you'll never be far from a little caffeine pick me up!
Sunday Morning/Afternoon: Study Time
It is no surprise that Barnard College is an academically rigorous institution. But rest assured, if you are a student here, the Admissions Team is confident that you will thrive at this institution in all aspects! Depending on your course load, the amount of time you spend studying each semester will vary. Some semesters may be heavier than others due to the amount of credits you are taking, types of classes you are enrolled in, and other details.
Attending college in New York City—and at Barnard, specifically—truly allows you to romanticize your academic life. Grab a coffee or a sweet treat, pick one of Barnard or Columbia’s dozens of libraries and study spaces (campus coffee shops, green spaces, lounges etc) and whip out your laptop and books! There is no lack of study spaces at this school, and you can find whatever vibe you prefer. There are many communal, loud study spaces, but also many quiet cubicles and areas where talking is minimal or nonexistent.
Many Barnard students take advantage of the City and study at local museums, coffee shops, and other places! The academic and studying opportunities are truly endless—you get to pick your own path!
Sunday Evening: Dinner on the Pier
I wrapped up the weekend by taking a trip down to the Pier for dinner. The Statue of Liberty is located off the last, most southern stop on the 1 Train. I looked over the Statue, and then got dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge! Part of the joy of living in the City is being able to see such iconic statues and structures whenever you would like!
As mentioned before, there are so many delicious dining options on both Barnard and Columbia’s campuses. However, I love to treat myself every once in a while and go out to eat!
All Barnard students are on a meal plan. All First Year students are placed on the Platinum Meal Plan, which budgets students roughly 3 meals a day (through meal swipes) and money (points) to spend at Liz’s Place, the Bubble Tea and Sushi Spot, and more. All students have access to a lounge and kitchen, so you can cook if you would like, too!
Thank you for following along on my Weekend at Barnard College of Columbia University in the City of New York! From academics, to extracurriculars, to the museum and food scene in the City, the possibilities are endless. If you are a student at Barnard, you can make your 4 years of college truly whatever you would like it to be…and that is the beauty of Barnard!