By Alinkar Duran, Foundations of Pre-Medicine, Summer Visiting Student Program, School of Professional Studies
When I first arrived at Columbia for the Summer Session, I knew I was stepping into an experience that would be very different from my usual college routine. I was excited to study in New York City, but I was also a little nervous about adjusting to a new campus, meeting new people, and keeping up with a challenging academic schedule. I came into the summer expecting to focus mainly on my classes, but quickly realized that experiencing things outside the classroom would teach me just as much as inside. From learning how to manage my time in a fact-paced environment to building friendships with classmates and becoming more comfortable exploring the city on my own, my summer at Columbia pushed me to become more independent and confident.
New York City: Look at how big it looks
One of the biggest adjustments was learning how to balance academics with everything happening around me. My classes required a lot of focus, and there were days when most of my time was spent in class, studying, and preparing for the next assignment. At first, it was easy to feel like I always needed to be working. Over time, however, I learned that taking breaks and creating a routine helped me stay more focused. Sometimes that meant grabbing a coffee or bagel before class, finding a different place to study, or getting a quick lunch before heading to campus. Small routines helped make an unfamiliar environment feel more manageable.
Morning Ritual: Love my Coffee and Bagels!
Meeting other students also became an important part of my experience. At the beginning of the summer semester many of us were arriving from different schools and backgrounds and didn’t know each other. As we spent more time together in class, we ended up studying together, or going out to eat afterward. Being able to explore New York with people I had only recently met reminded me that friendships can develop quickly when everyone is sharing a new experience together.
Living in New York also encouraged me to be independent. Even simple things, such as finding new places around campus or deciding how to spend my free time, pushed me outside of my normal routine. The city could feel overwhelming at times because there was always something going on, but that was also one of the things that made this experience more exciting. I quickly became more comfortable trying new things and exploring places I had never been before.
Columbia University: Look at how beautiful campus looks
Looking back, my summer at Columbia was much more than completing two classes. It challenged me to become more confident in an unfamiliar academic and social environment. I learned how to create balance during busy weeks, connect with people from different backgrounds, and become more comfortable doing things independently. Some of the experiences that stayed with me the most were not major events, but the everyday moments that slowly made Columbia and New York feel familiar. I came into the summer hoping to grow academically, but I am learning with a greater sense of independence and confidence that I will carry with me long after the Summer Session ends.
About the Program
Each summer, Columbia University offers hundreds of courses for Columbia students and visiting students from other domestic and international institutions. Summer Session offers the opportunity to study with Columbia’s esteemed faculty, pursue academic interests, and advance studies or prepare for graduate school. Focus areas include Culture and History in New York City, Foundations in Pre-Medicine, Public Affairs and Sustainable Futures, and Wall Street Prep: Economics, Finance & Analytics. Learn more about Summer Session at Columbia University.
