We’re unsure what this facial expression is meant to convey

Beta bro and future consultant Mike Starr shares his thoughts on dining halls and Russian literature in today’s next Senior Wisdom.

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Mike Starr, CC, Financial Economics and Slavic Studies, the glorious suburb of Avon Connecticut

Claim to fame: I’m famous?

Where are you going? Hanging out in West Virginia and Montana for the summer, then coming back to the city in the fall to find a bar other than 1020 to hang out in and start work in consulting.

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2021?

1) The greatest resource you have at Columbia (and in life) are the people around you. Go out of your way to make and maintain genuine friendships and don’t let the endless bustle of Columbia stop you from keeping up those relationships. Resist your first impressions, and treat every person you meet as a friend. You will be amazed how many fantastic people you will meet every day when you’re not afraid to flash a smile at someone you barely know.

2) Never get comfortable in your own assumptions about the world. Always question everything you hear or read, and never be afraid to challenge even the most popular ideas. However, don’t confuse being critical with being cynical. The world is a fascinating place, and never let yourself stop being excited about learning.

3) John Jay is better in every way than Ferris on all days other than meatless Monday. Case closed.

“Back in my day…” Bacchanal was a concert, not a public safety convention.

Justify your existence in 30 words or fewer: If I could, you’d be reading me in CC.

What was your favorite class at Columbia? Tolstoy and Dostoevsky with Liza Knapp. The class changed my life, plus walking around carrying War and Peace is a great aesthetic.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? Nothing gets between me and my cheeseburger.

One thing to do before graduating: Find me in the stacks ;)

Any regrets? Probably, but whats the point of dwelling on them? We’re on to the next adventure.

Photo via Mike Starr