Name, Hometown, School, Major: Jasmine Senior (yes, that’s my last name), Army Brat, Columbia College, Political Science/French and Francophone Studies

Claim to Fame? I consistently provide people with free food throughout the academic year. I have also never pulled an all-nighter. In part because my body just won’t let me (probably jinxing myself…)

Where are you going? After I finish writing this I’m going to take a nap. Then write papers, take exams, hang out with friends, crash parties, graduate, have an amazing sunshine-filled summer with old and hopefully some new friends, spend time with family and then in the fall, start the MPP program at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute.

Three things you learned at Columbia:

  1. Many of the most important things you’ll learn won’t be in the classroom. It was at 5am in the hallways of dorms or in community spaces surrounded by my peers, all coming from different backgrounds with different perspectives that I learned the most and grew as an individual.
  2. It’s okay to make mistakes and not be good at everything. In fact, it’s healthy and humbling.
  3. Most of the people here are actually super nice. I would say, on average, approx. 40% of the people I wave to everyday don’t actually know who I am. But they wave back anyway.

“Back in my day…” There was only one place within the Columbia 10-block radius to buy bubble tea and it only took dining dollars.

Justify your existence in 30 words or less: Jesus! And my mommy, well for the obvious reason but also, I would not be where I am today without her love and constant support.

Is the War on Fun over? Who won? Any war stories? There’s a war? Hmmm well I must be pretty lucky: Basketball Mania, puppies in John Jay, Shakespeare on the steps, Dollarama, 2012 Boat Formal, “All Black Everything”, Matsuri, Varsity Show, MGC Yard Show, Senior Dinner….the bullets totally missed me, I’ve been having a blast.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? My love for food goes beyond rhyme or reason (and often common decency). I’m also a French concentration so I think my choice is quite obvious!…Okay maybe not.

Advice for the class of 2016:

  • Don’t be afraid to challenge others and be challenged.
  • The people here are beyond amazing. I am constantly humbled by everyone I encounter. Engage with as many people/groups/communities here as often as you can. Attend student events held by groups you’ve never even heard of so that you can learn a little more about their interests and their struggles. Do research with professors and hang out with administrators. And even though you’re busy, take some time to stop and chat with the security guards, cooks and other Columbia staff to learn their life stories.
  • Outside of the required courses of the Core, only take classes you want to take. Period. Make sure your major is something you’re actually interested in and always approach each class thinking, “I may not be sure of the immediate benefit of this class, but I will value everything I’m able to learn and the people I’ll get to encounter”.
  • Watch at least one movie on the steps via jumbo-tron.
  • If you’ve never had bubble tea, TRY IT. You may be scared at first like I was but it’s quite possible it will become one of the most amazing and beautiful parts of your life (to the unfortunate detriment of your wallet).

Any regrets? Nope. I believe that everything in my life has happened for a reason. I learn from the past and keep moving forward with that knowledge into the future.