I wish I could be as happy as John right now.

Needing inspiration to get through studying for finals? Here’s a fresh perspective on the Columbia experience from John Avendano. 

Name, School, Major, Hometown: John Avendano, Columbia College, Psychology, Colts Neck, New Jersey

Claim to fame: Proud member of the Carman 10 and Carlton Arms 9C families. Deantini once challenged me (amongst others) to a snowball fight via email, and proceeded to best me in a one on one duel. I’ll be back, Deantini. I’m also Senior Class President, lead for COÖP, am on the fencing team, went on a life-changing Global Brigades trip to Honduras in 2016, and couldn’t choose a time for 40’s on 40 so everybody consequently hated me. I’ve probably messaged you about voting for CCSC elections at some point over the past few years. I apologize for how #extra I was and how #extra I am on social media (and in general).

Where are you going? Taking some time to work at a hospital in New Jersey, travel, spend time with my 91 year old grandma, and apply to medical school!

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2022?

1. Say hi to people and smile at them when you’re walking around on campus – even if you vaguely know them. Whether you met someone at Mel’s in the midst of a large, stuffy crowd, or you met someone because you were randomly assigned to be in a group with them for a class project, don’t be afraid to say hey. It’s up to us to make Columbia the warm, friendly community that people hope to see. And given that there are a lot of friendly people at Columbia, don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it – people are generally willing to lend a hand!

More wise words after the jump

Self-care during finals is just as important as regularly taking care of your skin!

It’s that time again: finals. You’re likely feeling extra stress, and that stress might be exhibiting itself very boldly on your face. Fear not! Bwogger and skincare aficionado Lucy Danger has these skincare for finals tips ready to prepare you for your exams and those stress-free days after finals final-ly end.

Skincare isn’t a one-stop shot, even during finals season. Doing one face mask won’t make a difference if you still don’t take off your makeup after long nights at Butler. These tips are quick, easy ways to incorporate good skincare habits into your routine when you really have no time, but they’re always useful.

Masking
It’s around this time that you’ll start hearing RAs, Stressbusters, and other campus de-stressors bring up face masks as relaxation techniques, along with massages, ice cream, and who knows what else! Here are some best face mask habits.

Don’t mask too often. Face masks are certainly a great skincare habit to get into – but it’s key to remember that masking too often can actually have detrimental effects. It’s safe to say that you shouldn’t mask more than 3 times per week, no matter how stressed you are.

Work with what you have. Especially when you’re already busy and stressed out, you don’t need to go out of your way to buy fancy products or spend hours and hours trying to figure out how to use gimmicky masks. Sheet masks are great when you’re in a rush because you can use them anywhere – including Butler at 4 am, if that’s what your life is like! Tub masks are good too, but generally take a little bit longer and require water and a towel. And DIY masks, which only work the way they’re supposed to about half the time and take way longer than you have every time, aren’t the best choice.

More skincare tips after the jump!

Save them. Please.

This Friday, Bwog staffers attended the 124^th Annual Varsity Show, a student-written and directed musical about life at Columbia. The verdict: a talented cast bogged down by mediocre writing and a lack of specificity.

If Alma Mater came to life one day, stretched her iron legs and dusted off her crown, turned her metal eye on the parade of students down College Walk—what would she say? Would she be proud of this generation of Columbians? Would she understand our struggles? What would she do if an over-ambitious CCSC campaign promise led to massive embezzlement and a campus-wide power outage?

Luckily, this year’s Varsity Show, Lights Out on Broadway, is here to tell us. The play revolves around two candidates in a neck-and-neck race for CCSC president: Chelsea Shaw (Genevieve Joers, CC ’20), a hyper-competent, aspiring law student; and William Schermerhorn VIII (Talmage Wise, CC ’18), who wants to live up to his ancestors’ legacy by creating some name recognition. With the correct pronunciation.

To Chelsea’s dismay, William wins the election by promising an unlimited budget for all clubs. In order to fulfil his promise, William steals the key to the “Columbia vault” from his trustee uncle and embezzles massive amounts of money. Clubs are overjoyed, but the lack of budget leads to housing cutbacks. The dorms’ power goes out during reading week. Finally, Chelsea and her friends uncover William’s crime and successfully impeach him. Chelsea, for some reason, becomes president.

Read more after the jump

Alex, your future is as bright as your smile.

Can’t get enough of Bwog’s Senior Wisdoms? Good news: we’re just getting started. Here with his tips to best enjoy your Columbia experience is our next senior, Alex Swanson. 

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Alex Swanson—or Alexan der Swanson according to Columbia, CC’ 18, Classics, London

Claim to fame: I dispense terrible advice and incompetently-run organizations when the need arises. They also call me Tigerman.

Where are you going? Eternal and ongoing education, temporarily based next year in the U.K., since my job prospects are dimmer than a February sunset over a frosted Hudson. It’s as Abelard obscurely said: there is always salvation in unnecessarily niche academia.

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2022?

1. It’s very easy to drift out of friendships so make an effort to stay in touch! I have not been as active as I wish I had been in maintaining friendships with those I’ve enjoyed spending time and conversing with over the years. I very much regret not staying close to friends who I’ve met in the odd class or two. Nothing’s more depressing for the human soul than the awkward drive-by “hey” done at just the right moment with someone you used to be close to and really got on with. I endure too many of those moments.

2. Don’t develop an addiction taste for coffee. Oh, the time and money wasted on the Devil’s Elixir over my four years—it pains me. Don’t let the media fool you: alcohol ain’t the real danger, kids; it’s caffeine!

3. There’s no point studying for 20 hours a day if you aren’t being productive. If it’s 4AM in Butler and your pace of work has grinded to a slow and dejected trudge, you’re better off calling it a night and starting “fresh” in the morning. If you aren’t working efficiently, go outside, take a break. Take the night off if you have to. Perhaps it’s a fool’s tactic, but I’ve found that it’s really helped me not get dragged down in the middle of rough patches.

Is Alex as wise as Teiresias?

Eating in Hewitt? She’s Barnard Bold.

Bwog is kicking off our Senior Wisdoms with Barnard’s very own Ali Fraerman! She may not have known that she would be graduating, but she does have some pretty good advice to give. 

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Ali Fraerman, Barnard, Human Rights and Political Science, Chicago suburbs

Claim to fame: Graduating a year early by surprise, taking grad pictures in Hewitt, being the Roosevelt Institute’s resident advocate for “human rights do exist.”

Where are you going? Working for a civil rights firm downtown (will be migrating back to Morningside frequently) before my inevitable return to school.

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2022?

1. Go to office hours. They can only help, and sometimes professors will read your papers and tell you exactly what they want.

2. Pare down your schedule. Cut out activities that do not make you happy, leave time for naps but also do leave ample time to pace yourself on big assignments.

3. Always be fulfilling your Columbia/Barnard bucket list! In other words, if there’s something you’ve always wanted to do on campus, in New York, or with your friends, or someone you’ve always want to get to know better, do it now! You could find yourself with a year until graduation one day and two months the next.

But would she rather give up oral sex or cheese?

We hope today’s Bwoglines will make you as happy as this slightly terrifying cookie!

Happening in the World: After a historic summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean leader Moon Jae-in, Kim Jong-un has agreed to work toward denuclearization and an eventual peace treaty to end the Korean War. The two briefly stepped into North Korea, while holding hands, after returning to the South, followed by a tree-planting ceremony at the DMZ. (BBC)

Happening in the US: On the second day of the Arizona teachers’ walkout, Governor Doug Ducey has announced a plan to raise teachers’ salaries by 20 percent by 2020, also hoping to restore funding for schools that were previously cut. The legislature plans to release and approve a budget early next week. (Reuters)

Happening in NYC: Meek Mill has arrived in NYC for the first time since getting released from jail, where he reportedly had sushi with Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin. (NY Daily News)

Happening on Campus: The Caribbean Students Association is closing out Caribbean Heritage Week with Final Fete tonight in Roone Arledge Auditorium from 10 pm to 2 am. Tickets are $2 and available at TIC for CUID holders, while non-CUID holders must register on the guest list to guarantee a ticket. Check out the Facebook event here.

Bop of the Day:

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