(The devil’s in the) detaaaaails of thriving at Columbia are in Jackie’s Senior Wisdom!

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Jackie Chu, Barnard, Art History (Minor: Poli-Sci lol), Hong Kong/London

Claim to fame: Cross-bearing Devil in The 128th Annual Varsity Show, Aramark-sympathising queer-baiter in V126, Nonseq Matriarch for a hot sec, Vixen in CMTS’ Godspell, Grandma in CMTS’ Pippin, obnoxious brit>.< in one LateNite sketch, a Garbonzo bean and the Grinch in two separate XMAS!’,  and the co-“social chair” of the Columbia Journal of Art History. 

Where are you going? Tonight, I am going to Bánh for some phở. God I love Bánh.

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2026?

  1. Say no to things:)
  2. But also say yes:)
  3. The best people in your life are your friends. Treasure them dearly!

“Back in my day…” JJs hours had not been gutted yet, 1020 was a spot of interest, DUO two-factor authentication did NOT exist, the Hewitt pasta line existed (and it was crack) and futter field was the best lawn ever (sans tent)

Favorite Columbia controversy? Must be President Beilock’s husband calling women in STEM ugly in a now-redacted Facebook post and then her making it the Year of Science. Very funny.

What was your favorite class at Columbia? 

I have TWO!

  1. ‘The American Diva’ (Prof. Deborah Paredez) – she is a superstar who teaches you about superstars!
  2. ‘Grimms’ Fairy Tales – Power, Gender & Narrative’ (Prof. Annie Pfeifer) – relived childhood trauma here.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? I had head once and it wasn’t great so oral sex.

Whom would you like to thank? kena, lily, thomas, sam x conor, fernanny, mila, ayo, henri, chloe, chris, isabel, evie, russell, estee, other sam (landa), sean, emma, nithya, jill, stef, kyle, ethan, sophia, sabrina ma, suite 8C, nonseq past-present, V126&128, CMTS, LateNite, XMAS!, the sunburnt binches of Miami 2k22, my lin and extended lin, beyond the pond, HKSSS, CUJAH, Camp Kesem, Columbia Women’s Ultimate, my therapist kathleen, my thesis advisors for the MEGA-extension and Jesus from JJs!

One thing to do before graduating: Befriend sweet Ali from the smoke shop on 108th. He is terribly kind AND has great chat. Also support his local business. 

Any regrets? Not applying to be a notetaker sooner – it’s easy money and forces you to pay attention in class<3 

And not auditioning for Nonseq/LateNite sooner (as in, Freshman year). Self-explanatory. 

But also not involving myself in more non-arts-related organisations… theatre/a cappella/art kids are so whack bro

Portrait via Jackie Chu