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This site serves as a central source of information for first-year students at Barnard. There will be regular updates with explanations of academic policies, procedures and deadlines; information from academic programs and departments; and announcements about opportunities for fellowships, grants and scholarships -- so bookmark this site and check it often!
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Important Fall 2026 Academic Information & Upcoming Deadlines
New Art History course open for Fall 2026! ~ AHIS BC2525 (Modern Japanese Art)
Hello First-Years!
Please take a look at the information down below for a new art history course that will be open to First-Year students this fall term! ~ AHIS BC2525 (Modern Japanese Art)
This course can fulfill any general education requirements! You can also find the course listing available in Vergil here!
Best,
The First-Year Team
Modern Japanese Art
AHIS BC2525
M/W 5:40-6:55PM
Location at Barnard to be announced
Professor Maggie Mustard
Course Description: This class is an introduction to the history of Japanese art from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. In this chronological study we will encounter a range of art forms—from woodblock prints, painting, photography, sculpture, performance, and new media—and we will consider how Japanese artists responded to major societal, political, and economic changes over the last two centuries, including industrialization and modernization, major natural disasters, war, questions of cultural/national identity, and debates centering on what “tradition” meant to artistic practice in the modern and contemporary eras. Using visual analysis as our core skillset, this course will also rely on readings from secondary scholarship, as well as those by Japanese artists and art critics from each time period to help us better understand the historical contexts surrounding each artist, artwork, or art movement.
Learning Objectives: In this course, students will learn how to critically engage with images and objects from the history of modern Japanese art through the skill of visual analysis. Students should come away from the course with a solid knowledge of the canonical periods in the history of modern Japanese art, and be able to confidently identify 5-10 individual artworks and comprehend the historical, political, art historical, and/or social context of the artwork that contributes to its significance in the canon. Most importantly, students should feel empowered by the above accumulated skills and knowledge to seek out additional histories and forms of creative practice that come from outside the classical Western art history narrative.
Anthropology course available for Fall 2026! ~ ANTH 3829 (Absence/Presence)
Hello First-Years!
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Please see the flyer down below for an upcoming anthropology course that will be available to all students this semester!
Best,
The First-Year Team
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Orientation academic advising for registration on September 4th!
Hello First-Years!
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Looking to seek additional support for your second registration this Friday during NSOP? We are excited to share the schedule of available Orientation academic advisers who will be available to meet with all First-Year students on September 4th from 10:00AM-12:30PM. You can find the available faculty and their room locations at the bottom of this flyer!
Best,
The First-Year Team
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Thursday, August 27, 2026
Registration reopens and Pre-Major Adviser Assignments on September 4th!
Hello, Class of 2030!
New Student Orientation is fast upon us and we are excited to see you on campus! You should have already received your schedule from the Orientation folks last week. We wanted to highlight next steps for registration and advising. Please read on for important information:
📌Registration reopens on Friday, September 4th
Registration will open at 10AM next Friday on September 4th. You should not have any required NSOP events that morning and, if you need to do so, you can use this time to refine your schedule.
Please keep in mind the following:
During this window, courses at Columbia that are approved exceptions to the First-Year@Barnard rule will be available for registration on Vergil. If space is available, you may sign up for them.
This is the last opportunity to change your section of First-Year Writing or First-Year Seminar. First-Year Experience classes do not run waitlists and instructors cannot overenroll their sections.
Academic advisers will be available in their offices for consultation from 9:30AM-12:30PM on September 4th, if you have immediate questions. Details will be provided as we get closer to Friday morning.
Looking for a new or different course for your Fall schedule? We’ve profiled a few great options with open seats on the First-Year blog.
📌Pre-Major Advisers
You will learn the name of your Pre-Major Adviser on September 4th. Your adviser will reach out to you by email between September 4th and September 9th to invite you to schedule a mandatory meeting during the first two weeks of the term. Please be on the lookout for this invitation, as this meeting is required of all students. Your Pre-Major Advisor will be a crucial resource as you find your academic footing at Barnard and work towards major declaration next year.
📌First two weeks of the term (add/drop period)
Registration will remain open from September 8th through September 18th, which we also call the add/drop period. You may continue to make changes to your schedule during this time, but remember that your section of FYS or FYW cannot be changed at this point.
Here are some tips from Sophia about how to manage waitlists during the add/drop period.
Important deadlines to note:
September 18th is the last day to add a class.
You must also have your mandatory meeting with your Pre-Major Adviser by September 18th.
📌Lastly, we have another Cybersecurity newsletter from our friends at BCIT to share with you this week, which you can read in this document!
We can’t wait for your arrival next week! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us anytime at first-year@barnard.edu
Best,
The First-Year Team
Managing waitlists!
Good morning, Class of 2030!
I know registration can be super stressful—but don’t fret! It will all get figured out, even if it’s not your first (or second, or maybe even third…) choice class.
One thing that is almost guaranteed is that you will end up on a waitlist for a class. I certainly was not prepared for this eventuality when I came in Freshman Fall (and almost lost my mind when the schedule I had so carefully curated was nearly up in flames). However! This is normal!! The great news is that there are so many options that you will all surely find something to make the first semester meaningful!
That being said, if you are on a waitlist for a class or two, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of getting in:
If the waitlist is auto-fill (so it’s essentially a line of “who got there first”), make sure you attend the first few classes. Often, many people shop more credits than they ever plan to take, so seats inevitably open up in these courses.
Going to every class in the add/drop period makes sure you don’t fall behind if that seat does open!
If the waitlist is instructor-managed, it can often help to do a bit more than just showing up to the first few classes.
Email! If you really, really want a class and have been waiting your whole life to take it—let that professor know! Be courteous and eager, and send a great email about why you want to be in the class and would take it seriously.
Introduce yourself! This is often a struggle for me, but it can be very helpful to put a face to a name if the course means a lot to you.
At the end of the day, it is only your first semester, and you will have plenty of time to get into a class, should it be full this semester. But also know that a waitlist isn’t a no!!
Best,
Sophia
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Available biology course for Fall 2026! ~ BIOL 1009, Plants in Life and Laboratory ("Plant Life")
Hello First-Years!
Please see the flyer down below for an upcoming biology course available this Fall term to incoming First-Year students!--BIOL 1009, Plants in Life and Laboratory ("Plant Life"). We had previously advertised this course earlier this summer back in June and we wanted to give it another push to help encourage more student enrollment, especially if you happened to miss it during your first registration period and may be interested in taking it this fall!
Best,
The First-Year Team
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It is designed to be friendly to incoming first-years, and generally is a lecture+lab option for non-majors. This would be an appropriate option for students connected with HEOP, Access Barnard or others who may want a gradual and more welcoming on-ramp for exploring a variety of STEM majors. It would prepare such students well for the rigor of pre-requisites such as the Fall or Spring halves of our 1500-level sequence.
If you have any questions about the course, please contact Professor Hilary Callahan at hcallaha@barnard.edu
Course Available for Fall 2026! ~ EAAS 2367 (The Modern Girl)
Hello First-Years!
Please take a look at the flyer and information down below for an upcoming course being offered by the Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures Department for the fall term!
Best,
The First-Year Team
Days & Times: Tuesday and Thursdays 1:10pm - 2:25pm
Location: 409 Barnard Hall
Instructor: Tani Barlow, Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures
Description: This course clocks the prehistory and history of the “modern girl,” a physiologically and biologically understood, anatomically correct, commodity-defined, human rights bearing person that revolutionized how we define women. Beginning with the early modern global trade networks that created the material conditions for womens political action, the course moves through imperialism and colonialism, Cold War gender formations, and the contemporary consumer cultures of Asia and their global entanglements.
Our focus this semester is Asia and beyond and our central questions are (1) how did gendered commodities –machine fabricated, internationally circulated– lay material conditions for womens political action and liberation struggles; (2) how is commodification of the girl figure a blessing and a curse; (3) is the modern girl one subject of feminism and how does socialist feminist theory and political movements historically connect to the modern girl phenomenon?
In this class we figure out how to analyze 20th century new media e.g., silent films, phonograph records, lithography, commercial brand images, lantern slides, and, of course, the fashion and advertising industries. We will develop historical tools to help us understand how cultural forms deliver material political impacts and results. This is a lecture course with time set aside for your visual presentations and your analysis of the readings, images, and ideas.
Monday, August 17, 2026
English Department First-Year reception on September 17th!
Hello First-Years!
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The Barnard English Department will be hosting a First-Year Reception on Thursday, September 17th from 1-2PM in Milstein LL001
Please see the flyer down below if you are interested in attending!
Best,
The First-Year Team
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Thursday, August 6, 2026
Start Strong with Alcohol Wise!
Hello, Class of 2030!
See below for information from the Furman Counseling Center about Alcohol Wise, the program that has already been sent to your inboxes!
As you prepare for an exciting year at Barnard, take a few moments to complete Alcohol Wise—an interactive online program offered through Barnard's Alcohol and Substance Awareness Program (ASAP). Designed to help you thrive, Alcohol Wise provides personalized feedback, practical information about alcohol, and strategies for making informed decisions while supporting your health, safety, and well-being throughout your college experience. Watch for your weekly reminder emails for your unique access link, then log in using your Barnard University credentials to complete the program. We look forward to supporting you as you begin your Barnard journey!
Best,
The First-Year Team
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Deadline extended! Fall 2026's Creative Writing Workshops at Barnard, featuring Paul Muldoon, Maria Hinojosa, Zaina Arafat and more!
Hello, Soon-to-Be First-Years!
See below for an update from the English department regarding creative writing courses!
L-R: Zaina Arafat, Farnoosh Fathi, Nellie Hermann, Maria Hinojosa, Brionne Janae, Patricia Spears Jones, Ellen McLaughlin, Paul Muldoon, Idra Novey, Nina Sharma, Weike Wang, and Kate Zambreno
We're accepting applications for Fall 2026's creative writing courses until August 10th, and all Barnard students and Columbia undergraduates are invited to apply! Our offerings include workshops in prose, poetry, and playwriting, taught by acclaimed writers including Pulitzer Prize winners Paul Muldoon and Maria Hinojosa, Lambda Literary Award winner Zaina Arafat, former New York State Poet Laureate Patricia Spears Jones, and more! All experience levels are welcome, with introductory workshops geared towards beginners and advanced workshops intended for more experienced writers. You can see all of our course offerings here (Columbia students will need to submit an access request, which will be approved within 24 hours), and apply to up to three workshops via the application form. The more workshops you apply to, the higher your chances of being placed in one of your choices. The form will close at 8:59AM ET on Monday, August 10th, and all applicants will be informed of their status on Friday, September 4th. Waitlisting is only required once workshop assignments have been made and applicants notified. If you have any questions, please contact mkumarad@barnard.edu, and they will be glad to assist you.
Best,
The First-Year Team
Friday, July 31, 2026
Barnard Basics webinar recording is now available!
Hello First-Years!
We have concluded the “Barnard Basics: Strategies for Success in Your First Year”webinar series! This was a virtual pre-orientation program hosted by the Program Coordinator for Academic Coaching, Allie Johnston. In her presentation, Allie talks about the skills and tools that will help in not only academic success, but in every aspect of life here at Barnard! Thank you to those who joined, and if you were unable to attend, no worries! -- You can access the recording to watch at your own convenience!
If you have any follow up questions from the webinar, feel free to reach out to Allie directly at ajohnsto@barnard.edu. She would be more than happy to chat further about the information discussed!
Best,
The First-Year Team
BCIT Cybersecurity Corner Newsletters! (July 1st and July 31st)
Hello First-Years!
We had just shared this week's newsletter from BCIT's Cybersecurity Corner in our recent email communication to the class today and wanted to share on our blog too! We also provided the first newsletter that we shared earlier this month back on July 1st prior to your first Barnard registration period, which you can find down below.
We will continue update the blog with further upcoming newsletters we share from BCIT over the next coming weeks. You can also find their newsletters complied on this document to view at your connivence as well, which will be updated!
Best,
The First-Year Team
(We hope that you keep up with your IT knowledge. Don't be like Patrick!)
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July 1st, 2026
Introducing the Cybersecurity Portal, which will be your go-to page for helpful cybersecurity resources, information on training, and an archive of past alerts and Cybersecurity Corner articles.
One topic well represented on the portal page is phishing. That is because phishing is one of the most common ways that cybersecurity attacks begin. Common indicators of a phishing email or text message include:
Increased urgency
An unexpected request for personal information
Unrealistic offers or requests
Generic signatures
Suspicious “From” addresses
Suspicious links or attachments
If you would like to learn more, you can check out these cybersecurity portal resources:
Barnard’s phishing simulation tests
Real phishes received at Barnard
How to identify the REAL Barnard login page
How to report phishing
For any questions, please reach out to Student Computing at help@barnard.edu or call 212-854-7172.
July 31st, 2026
Cybersecurity Corner
Job scams target college students more frequently than most people realize. You’re eager, you’re vulnerable, and scammers know it. Before accepting a job offer, check for these red flags:
Unofficial “sent from” email addresses. For example, emails that do not have a barnard.edu or columbia.edu domain could be suspicious.
Emails with an offer too good to be true. Trust your instincts. A high-paying job with little work without an interview process is likely a scam.
Job postings that do not follow Barnard or Columbia standards
Learn more about recognizing phishing scams or protecting yourself from identity theft. For any questions, please reach out to Student Computing at help@barnard.edu or call 212-854-7172.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Beginning at Barnard Virtual NSOP
Hello, Class of 2030!
The Barnard Orientation Team has announced mandatory online sessions. You can find available dates and times below!
There are three mandatory virtual orientation program sessions that students must attend before the start of the academic year:
Students are only required to attend one of each virtual session. You must attend:
one (1) Student Rights & Expectations @ Barnard session
one (1) Bystander Intervention & Healthy Relationships session
one (1) BCIT session
Zoom Links will be provided via email the week of August 3rd.
Friday, August 7th:
10 am EST: Student Rights & Expectations @ Barnard
4 pm EST: Bystander Intervention & Healthy Relationships
Monday, August 10th:
10 am EST: Bystander Intervention & Healthy Relationships
4 pm EST: Barnard College IT (BCIT)
7 pm EST: Student Rights & Expectations @ Barnard
Tuesday, August 11th:
10 am EST: Barnard College IT (BCIT)
4 pm EST: Student Rights & Expectations @ Barnard
7 pm EST: Bystander Intervention & Healthy Relationships
Thursday, August 13th:
7 pm EST: Barnard College IT (BCIT)
Students unable to attend sessions should submit a formal exemption/justification for absence to orientation@barnard.edu.
Best,
The First-Year Team
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