Not sure what you are calling the "Start column", but....
IF you are talking about the actual Start Menu, it can be resized using either the right edge or top edge by simply hovering your mouse cursor over either until it becomes a two headed arrow.
IF you are talking about the task bar, you can resize it by similarly using your mouse cursor and you can move it to either edge of your screen by simply dragging it to where you want it, as long as it is not "locked"
IF you are talking about something else, then you should probably provide a picture so we don't have to guess.