Our last wise senior of the day is Aashana Singh, who reminds you to play some college pong at least once before you leave.

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Aashna Singh, BARNARD, Economics (Political Economy), Hoffman Estates, IL

Claim to fame: Mindy Kaling tweeted me once saying she was my didi (older sister).

Where are you going? TBD.

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2023?

  1. Whiteness is a social construct. My sophomore year, in a class, I learned that whiteness is an abstract created fantasy, a reaction, and a set of prejudice values and ideals. Understanding this has shaped my perspective on everything and has made me a more productive thinker.
  2. Girl friends are everything. Spend time with the people who make you feel good about yourself. They’re probably the womxn in your life. Knowing this has made navigating difficult situations so much easier.
  3. You can still be a critic of the people or the things you love, and you should be. For example, this institution. You can be proud of your achievement in coming to this school, you can reap the benefits of it all, and you can celebrate. But, know that there is so much to change because elite institutions weren’t created for everyone and history leaves an immense impact.
  4. Bonus: Economics isn’t just finance classes and there are SO many majors to choose from!!! You can always pick up a how-to book and become a consultant so take the classes you’re interested in. There aren’t how-to books for what you’ll learn in those classes.

“Back in my day…” We were struggling to get through our Nine Ways of Knowing, couldn’t swipe ourselves into JJs, went to M2M not H-Mart, woke up to the sound of construction, and studied in LeFrak until only midnight.

Favorite Columbia controversy? Columbia College students thinking less of Barnard. The insecurity really jumps out!

Justify your existence in 30 words or fewer: ब अदाब ब नसीब. बे अदाब बे नसीब

What was your favorite class at Columbia? *BARNARD* American Studies Class Profits of Race with Professor Manu Vimalassery. I think he goes by a different name now.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? Well it depends… giving or receiving?

Whom would you like to thank? In no particular order:

My suite-mates: estamos ready, the SGA Executive Board of 2017-2018, The Barnard Class of 2021-you know who you are, 3rd Floor Bhangra Babes + Manz & Ish, Bæs, SAS, and Ajay and Prerna Singh.

One thing to do before graduating: Play some good old classic college pong.

Any regrets? Putting any effort or time into being friends with straight men.