Fall into the city

It’s the end of October, seven weeks into the semester, the height of midterms, with fall break a barely visible light at the end of a long tunnel. In terms of seeking the drive to remain focused in the library for hours at a time, the unseasonably warm weather isn’t helping—it’s too warm for it to be almost November, but too chilly for iced coffee. That said, take a deep breath and say to yourself: “T.G.I.F.” Thank God It’s Fall. You may be caught in the doldrums of Fall 2011, lacking the motivation necessary for memorizing IDs or churning out a 10-pager due Monday. But do not despair. Looking around our neighborhood, I find plenty of reasons to get out of bed—and out of the library. The world doesn’t come to a halt because we have midterms, so use your much-needed study breaks to interact with others in the area.

Have you tried the hot apple cider on Thursdays and Sundays, the smell of which rivals that of the Dosa cart? It’s physically impossible not to catch a whiff of the autumnal sweetness drifting down Broadway from street vendors, so treat yourself to a steaming cup of hot apple cider and a couple of honey crisp apples on your way from your dorm to your study spot. If you’re really feeling adventurous, say “good morning” or “excuse me” to the non-Columbian market-goers. Some interpersonal interaction might remind you of why you chose to go to a university in the city of New York, where people exist outside of the ages of 18 and 22.

I knew the fall season had officially begun when Morton Williams hung up its Halloween decorations. That also means that in the next few weeks adorable children from the neighborhood, fully decked out in princess and superhero costumes, will trick-or-treat at stores and restaurants around Columbia. These kids are super cute, so try to turn off your whiny “get out of my way” attitude, and remember that there are, in fact, other residents of Morningside Heights. Instead, turn on the holiday charm early, and indulge in these children’s excitement over free candy and the chance to feel like a rock star, astronaut, or Taylor Swift for a few hours. Then go back to the library and remember that your studies can impact the future, and you’re doing it for these kids.

With all of the national and local political news of late, have you made your voice heard? Every morning, I wake up and I ask myself, “What will we protest today?” Are we for or against Palestinian statehood? Will I be offered a Christian Science Bible, the chance to shake a lulav in a mobile sukkah, or a survey about my hair type? Am I angry about the fact that there is a Core Curriculum, or is the issue really that I couldn’t get into that seminar on post-colonialism?

Finally, looking ahead to fall break, those days off offer a great opportunity for a “staycation” on the (not-so-tropical) Island of Manhattan. That cherished long weekend when we cast our ballots and begin the Thanksgiving countdown could not come soon enough, and for many of us, it’s the perfect amount of time to log some hours in front of your family’s TV because it has cable. But if you’re somehow caught up on all of your TV shows, consider staying in the city for fall break. Rather than spend the entire time off catching up and getting ahead on work, take some afternoons or evenings to explore—a luxury we don’t get often enough.

For instance, when was the last time you took advantage of the TIC at CU Arts, student-rushed a ballet, or went to the evening hours at the MoMA? Have you been to Curry Row in the East Village or seen an improv or sketch comedy show at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Chelsea? I’d encourage you to afford yourself the luxury of time to stay in Morningside Heights and explore. There’s barely enough time to try that new restaurant that opened on Amsterdam, check out Levain Bakery on Frederick Douglass Boulevard, or go inside Saint John the Divine. And have you taken the bus up to the Cloisters?

My point: Get off campus. It is so easy to get swept up in schoolwork and to lose sight of the practical importance of what we are studying and of our values outside of the classroom. Spending some time interacting with people besides college peers puts into perspective the stresses of Columbia students. I think you’ll find it’ll give you a necessary breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively. Do not use this metaphor in that 10-page paper due Monday.

Jessica Hills is a Barnard College senior majoring in political science and French and Francophone studies. She is a former associate news editor for the Columbia Daily Spectator. Urban Dictionary runs alternate Fridays.