Angelica Lagasca recounts her time at Columbia filled with fainting on trains and feigning comprehension in seminars.

Name, School, Major, Hometown:
Angelica, Columbia College, Biology, DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUVAAAAAAAAAAL (Jacksonville, FL)!

Claim to fame:
Publishing ten or so posts with Bwog. Fainting on arguably the two worst train lines in NYC. Going on long, nonsensical tirades in my seminars to secure the participation bag. Eating full lunches/dinners during said seminars. And, hopefully in the future, my Tik Tok career.

Where are you going?
Returning to the dust of the earth…

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

  1. Your past does not define you. You have made decisions based on the knowledge, emotions, and experience you had. Although you might feel you are regressing (“I definitely peaked in high school”), you are always growing and learning more about yourself, others, and the world around you.
  2. Try your best to not compare yourself to others. Columbia is that kind of place where I thought people were just like me, but like, BETTER?!?! It took me a while to accept that everyone comes from a different background, possesses different types of resources, and walks along life at their own pace. Keep in touch with what you value, set your own standards, and become the person that you envision for yourself.
  3. Not everyone is out to get you. It might seem that way because there do be SNEKS in the water. Even then, I’ve met just as many genuine, kind-hearted, and inspiring people throughout my years, and I wish I reached out to them.

“Back in my day…” 
Is it bad that I, like, can’t remember anything?

Favorite Columbia controversy?
Its existence.

What was your favorite class at Columbia?
20th Century Art with Rosalind Krauss, Vietnam in the World with Lien-Hang Nguyen, Organic Chemistry with Karen Phillips, and Music Hum with John Glasenapp.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese?
Only one of these things disturbs something deep within me – rearranges my guts, so to speak – and makes me FEEL something in this numb world. And that is cheese.

Whom would you like to thank?
My HOU53mates – my fellow denizens of Claremont 53, witnesses of the breakdown that was senior year, and the people who will comment on this post so I don’t feel like a loser – Amita, Alex, Riya, and our rat. Thank you for making my senior year enjoyable and our departure that much more bittersweet.

Jessica and Sandra! For laughing at even my dumbest jokes, for encouraging me to rob my own bank account, and for listening to all my oversharing stories.

Karen Phillips for helping me feel confident and assured for one of the first times at Columbia. You’re the only person I respect in this house!

John Glasenapp for being an incredibly earnest and hard-working professor. Suffice to say, your class passed all vibe checks. It was the perfect end to my Mondays and Wednesdays. And thanks for playing Bobby Schmurda once; it cured my PMS-induced headache.

The entire Claremont security guard squadron. Kevin – the one sniff I took of your essential oil continues to linger in my lungs, protecting my immune system during these dark times. The guy who looks like he’s from Lost – you asking me if I was okay after a crying sesh on the stoop did more wonders for me than my entire experience with therapy. And the other guy? What would I do without your lectures on how to not look pregnant.

One thing to do before graduating:
Figure out whomever off-handedly asked “Is she high?” while I was asking a question during bio recitation. Then take them out to dinner.

Any regrets?
Not doing my readings. These intellectuals might be on to something…

Angelica & Alex via Angelica Lagasca