Constance Boozer

Name, Hometown, School: Constance Boozer; Jackson, Mississippi; Columbia College

Claim to fame? I engaged in CPRevelry and oversaw the transformation of countless U-Writing essays into articles as the EIC of the Columbia Political Review, coined the phrase Jim Yong Kim is “a rapping spaceman,” covered and broke some nom-nom-nom news in MoHi, was that girl from Alabama, and even had my unparalleled poster holding skills documented in the Staten Island Advance.

Where are you going? For the summer, I have a job as a researcher in NYC for a group that advocates for gun policy reform. In September, I’m shipping off to math camp as I start to earn my Masters of Public Policy in the birthplace of politics (Chicago). After that graduation, I am hoping to mosey onto a campaign during the 2016 election cycle.

Three things you learned at Columbia:

• 1) Many times success requires taking risks and a willingness to fail in your endeavors. If you have not literally and metaphorically tripped and fallen on your ass a few times, you have not truly taken advantage of what Columbia and what life have to offer.
• 2) It’s ok to hate Columbia at times. It’s not ok to ignore the reasons why you hate Columbia. If walking around campus does not give you some sense of joy on a semi-regular basis, it’s time to figure out what makes you happy and shake up your life a little. You may have an intense hatred of in-class exams and blue books. (In that case, choose seminars over lectures). You may enjoy going below 110th street every once in a while. (In that case, intern, work, volunteer, befriend more people who venture off campus, etc.). And you may prefer not having mice in your room. (Not much you can do about that one. A possible course of action is putting food in a trashcan to lure the mouse into the receptacle and then cover the brim with a Milano bag until the rodent stops jumping. It is safe to assume that said creature is now deceased. I’ll leave it up to you to figure out how to get it out of the dorm). In short, awareness of how you best function and being proactive about maintaining those parameters is a road to happiness in any environment – especially Columbia.
• 3) Electrolytes are your friend. To work, to try, and to play hard – chug a bottle of Gatorade every day.

Back in my day… Grabbing a slice of Pinnacle pizza was not necessarily behavior worthy of concern or judgment, buying groceries at JJs with Dining Dollars was a thing (at least for me), and installing Wi-Fi in John Jay was a supposedly impossible feat.

Justify your existence in 30 words or fewer: Lit Hum, CC, and Nobility and Civility II have taught me that it is impossible to succinctly justify my existence. That being said, I’ll let history be the judge.

Write a CU Admirers post to anyone or anything at Columbia: You came, you studied, you partied, and now you’ve just graduated. Class of 2013 – you put me in absolute awe during Days on Campus, and I have never had more admiration, reverence, and respect for a group of individuals as I do now as we go our separate ways. There honestly are no limits to what my fellow classmates are capable of doing, and I cannot wait to see you defy the expectations of our imaginations. Congratulations!

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? Columbia alum Clifton Fadiman once said, “Cheese is milk’s leap towards immortality.” In my humble opinion, Cheez-its is cheese’s leap towards immortality realized in vending machines in these days of modernity.

One thing to do before graduating: Talk to at least one individual you avoided/who avoided you as an awkward freshie/sophomore/junior/senior. Social competency is a gradual process, and everyone makes mistakes. I’m doing my best not to go all post-modern-y, but most of the time rudeness or avoidance on campus is just a product of miscommunication. When in doubt, just smile.

Any regrets? Of course, but that’s the only way we learn from life. My only real regrets are making the same mistakes twice. Like many before me, I regret not meeting more of you and not spending more time with the people I do know. If you ever bump into me, say hello. I’d like to meet you.