From spotting the infamous EC pipe guy hours prior to the incident to model UN, Gillian drops knowledge for people looking to get the most out of it all.

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Gillian Ho, Columbia College, Classical Studies and Political Science, Hong Kong/London

Claim to fame: Model UN (hi CIRCA) and Classics fanatic. Also, that one girl who is always in 209, sitting at the same table with the same 3 other people (s/o Ezra Schwarzbaum, Lois Wu and Megan Massey)

Where are you going? 

Out of my house. I just need to escape government mandated quarantine ASAP.

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

1. Don’t care about anything too much. When you fixate yourself on classes, getting a specific internship, joining super intense clubs etc., it’s really easy to miss out on creating the best memories with your friends. Be spontaneous!! You can put off that piece of homework to another day — get out of your dorm/ Butler!!! Go explore the city, hang out on Low Beach and just mess around. If Coronavirus has shown us anything, it’s that just hanging out with friends, enjoying the city and campus, are some of the best parts of Columbia. 
2. Go to Office Hours. Columbia has amazing professors that are always wasted on mass lectures, but if you make the effort to go to Office Hours and speak to them, you can find yourself speaking to pioneers in their respective fields! Some of my most memorable moments in Columbia include meeting professors whom I have cited in my essays or obsessed about — whether you talk to them about their research or (even!) your personal life, you will find some absolute gems. 
3. Give Greek life a try. Seriously. I scoffed at the idea of Greek life when I first got to Columbia because there was no way I would ever be in Legally Blonde’s Delta Nu. But after going through recruitment and joining AXO (s/o to my sisters), I have found the most incredible community of inspiring, uplifting and passionate women that actually care about you. It’s easy to feel lonely on Columbia’s campus, especially when your dorm room is closed, or when your new schedule doesn’t line up with your friends anymore. Greek life creates a space where you can get connected to people you otherwise may not have known, whether in your sorority or in the Greek community as a whole!! Plus, formals are sick. 

“Back in my day…”

RIP Amigos. But more importantly, Butler roof — it just isn’t as accessible as it used to be (look for the open window on the 8th floor). It’s a great place to be after a night out (to watch a sunrise over campus) or for screaming out your frustrations over finals. Oh and I guess back in my day, Bacchanal was actually held on campus — idk how that will go down in the future, but nothing beats sunbathing on the lawns. 

Favorite Columbia controversy?

The man stuck in the EC shaft. I actually know who it was, and had watched him get kicked out of a party a couple hours before it all went down. Love being witness to a climactic event. 

What was your favorite class at Columbia?

As a Ho(e) for the Core, so my vote would have to go to LitHum. But if you’re a Classics major/ Latin-inclined, take ANYTHING taught by Gareth Williams or Katharina Volk — not only are they amazing professors, but they actually take a genuine interest in you and your interests!

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese?

I mean, Asians are known to be lactose intolerant. I’m not, but let’s use that as the reason why I would give up cheese…

Whom would you like to thank?

My family and friends—I wouldn’t be at Columbia nor survived it without them. Columbia can be tough, but once you find your support system, even getting your GPA wrecked or pulling 36 hour all nighters (true story) can feel shockingly okay. Honestly, I feel so blessed with the friendships I’ve managed to make at Columbia: to my friends who have heard me whine incessantly while procrastinating in Butler, or have had to tolerate my drunken, changing accent — you’re the real ones. Wine Wednesday fam, you know who you are. All my love to CIRCA (plug: join if you’re interested in Model UN, international relations or politics!) and to the amazing sisters of Alpha Chi Omega. Also shoutout to the Classics Department for being incredible, the department is full of gems. Finally, thank you to Happy Hot Hunan (108th and Amsterdam) for feeding me throughout my time at Columbia. 

One thing to do before graduating:

I’m going to get slaughtered for this — I have never tried Roti Roll, and I was saving it for my last Senior Night. Oh well. 

Any regrets?

Not completing the King’s Quest/ Dante’s Laurels before graduation. Look it up. But also, can we even still go into the tunnels? 

Image via Gillian