<p>I've just started my college search, and I'm really loving Columbia. It's got NYC in its backyard with a gorgeous campus to boot (or so the photos lead me to believe). Maybe I'm caught up in the idea of living in a big city after being stuck in the suburbs so long, but can you guys give me an idea of what New York (and Columbia) are really like? How big of a change is it from the suburbs, and is it for the better? Do you really have the time to explore the city? Thanks. :)</p>
<p>"Maybe I'm caught up in the idea of living in a big city after being stuck in the suburbs so long"</p>
<p>this is good.</p>
<p>"but can you guys give me an idea of what New York (and Columbia) are really like?"</p>
<p>gel well together</p>
<p>"How big of a change is it from the suburbs"</p>
<p>substantial.</p>
<p>"and is it for the better?"</p>
<p>for a few no, for others hell yea. Most people at columbia are not from huge cities and so many people are adapting with you, the columbia cocoon also makes it easier since you have some isolation and tranquility in which to walk around and reflect. New york is definitely america's most vibrant city and possibly the most cosmopolitan on the planet, from day one no-one can tell you're an outsider, because being from new york means far too many things. </p>
<p>"Do you really have the time to explore the city?"</p>
<p>yes, but you never have a huge amount of time, i've spent a spring break in the city and really had a great time, I've spent the summer in the city too working on campus and absolutely loved it, it was one of my best summers and only because of new york, it should otherwise have been a bad summer. The strategy is to go a little crazy freshman year because academics aren't as time consuming, but thereafter explore and visit places consistently, you don't want to lose out on what's on campus, but you also don't want to finish your 4 years not having seen stuff that you really wanted to see. My advice is find people who will enjoy going to place x with you and ask them to come along, don't be shy to ask someone you don't know too well, it makes for a great opportunity to have a diverse set of friends and many of them. for place y (which hopefully is very different from x) chose to ask someone totally different.</p>
<p>I would advise against going crazy freshman year. Grades are important and if you fall behind, it is more of a struggle to make up in later years. Do it in a measured manner every year.</p>
<p>The "Helpful Threads" thread pinned to the top of this forum has a great deal of threads with insightful commentary on the school, student life, etc. I highly suggest reading all that sound interesting.</p>