You might know Amira Farid from her flourishing vlog channel with tens of subscribers, or more likely from your unfortunate CAVA experience.

Name, School, Major, Hometown:

Amira Farid, Barnard, Biology, Queens, NY

Claim to fame:

I either saved your life that one time you got too lit, helped you with your presentation due in an hour, was your RA, made you play frisbee with me on the lawns, or blessed you with my mom’s food. You may have also come across my thriving vlog channel from that one time I studied in New Zealand (twelve subscribers and counting).

Where are you going?

To a private island, coconut drink in hand, enjoying a gap life before eventually selling my soul to medicine.

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of
2024?

1. Do not give up. Storytime: I have always struggled immensely with chemistry since high school. These random molecules that I couldn’t see made it difficult for me to connect with and appreciate the subject. So I thought it was a good idea to attempt orgo for the first time my freshman year and get it out of the way. Quickly realizing that I was wildly unprepared to take the class, I dropped it halfway through and tried again sophomore year. I barely passed due to a myriad of reasons. Devastated, I contemplated just dropping premed because I wasn’t cut out for it. My friends had already moved on to orgo II and other advanced chemistry classes. It took me a year and a half to build up the courage and attempt a third time during my senior spring. I was determined to make this subject my b*tch. I quit two of my jobs, went to class every day, attended the help room, and visited office hours. I stayed up late doing practice question after practice question. Finally, this subject was starting to click and things were falling into place. Tears of joy ran down my face as I called my mom and suitemates to tell them how well I did on the first exam. My spirits were high, I was on a roll, motivated more than ever to keep up with this dense subject. Little did I know COVID-19 would be the ultimate plot twist that crushed all my efforts using a pass/fail system. It stung a little at first. But at the end of the day, I know I gave it my all, even if it doesn’t translate well on my transcript. I’m still premed, and will be for however long it takes. Ready for round 4, Rojas?
2. Go to that event and do the thing you want to do, school can wait. I once skipped a physics midterm to attend a concert. Maybe don’t be reckless to that extent, but you get the idea. And yes, I did take the exam later and killed it.
3. Keep your family close and your habibis closer. Find your people and cherish them, college would not be half as fun without them.

“Back in my day…”

It was CAVA not CUEMS, halal was not an option in the dining halls, and classes were in person.

Favorite Columbia controversy?
“Eat celery to keep cool during this heatwave.”

What was your favorite class at Columbia?
The Social World with Adam Reich was undoubtedly the best class I’ve ever taken at Columbia. I have a whole Instagram story dedicated to this man. Reich is the epitome of an engaging and intellectual college professor. I never dared to miss a lecture, afraid I’d miss out on his humor and wisdom. I also highly recommend History of the Modern Middle East with Rashid Khalidi for some spicy perspective and to have Nader as your TA.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese?
Can’t pick until I’ve tried both so… TBD

Whom would you like to thank?
Past and present members of suite 10A for dragging me to workout classes and Broadway shows, making me delicious meals, and becoming my home away from home. I may be from New York, but I have never experienced the city like I did with you. Endlessly grateful for the nights we rallied outside and the nights we huddled together in the same room while projecting a terrible reality TV show on the wall.

I am forever indebted to the desk attendants in Plimpton/600/620 for always holding down the fort in times of chaos. They gave me chocolate when I was sad, conversed with me at 4 am as I wrote my final paper in the lobby, and believed wholeheartedly that I’m going to make an amazing doctor one day no matter how terribly I felt after an exam. They are all invited to my med school graduation one day inshallah.

The halal cart guy, Karim, on the corner of 115th for the free falafel and fries on my way to class in the morning.

One thing to do before graduating:

Have a commencement ceremony.

Any regrets?

Not having enjoyed a single Bacchanal because I was either working CAVA, abroad, or in quarantine. But I  will be back.