Senior Staff Writer JT tells us to stay on campus!

Name, School, Major: JT, Barnard College, English

Claim to fame: For senior year, there were only four rooms but five of us who wanted to live together, so I shared a dining room turned-bedroom with my best friend! It ended up being the most fun thing I could have ever imagined.

Where are you going? To Europe for a bit, then hopefully staying in the city come September when my lease is up! I’m constantly amazed by how much I love New York and don’t know if I’ll ever leave.

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

1. Being a good friend to others and having good friends is all that really counts. All the other stuff is just decoration :) At the end of the day, friendship is what carries us and helps us have the courage to do all of the other stuff– like applying for that job we really want, moving apartments (I shiver), or simply just getting out of bed when we’re having a bad week.
2. Don’t be afraid to try new things! Just last weekend, I went on a backpacking trip with the CU hiking club and I had never even been backpacking before. You’ll never have so many opportunities to do so many things with little expense or preparation, so if something catches your eye, just sign up! You don’t have to be great, or even good, and you can just have a fun time and a good story.
3. I lived on West 81st for a while during the pandemic and fell in love with the Upper West Side. There’s something so comforting about the area, as well as Morningside Heights and Columbia, and I think that it’s okay to not always be gallivanting around the city. Unpopular opinion, but after graduation, you’ll have plenty of time to live in a city and explore it. Just enjoy being in college and hanging out on campus! And by campus, I mean watching the racoons at Riverside Park.

“Back in my day…” you could go to pink berry every day after class :(

Favorite Columbia controversy? Does trying to bring my salad and coffee into Avery and getting turned away every time count as a controversy?

What was your favorite class at Columbia? Creative non-fiction with Zaina Arafat! Any writing class that you can take by Professor Arafat, you should.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? Come again?

Whom would you like to thank? The raccoons in Riverside Park. Iced Americanos. The National, for being the best studying and walking and crying music. The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. Most importantly, my sweet roommates that feel like sisters. And of course, my parents who will always pick up the phone five times a day, even if it’s just to say hi.

One thing to do before graduating: Get margs with Gabriella as many times as humanly possible and laugh till our stomachs hurt :)

Any regrets? I mean, if I really think about it, yes. But then if I think about it more, no, because regrets aren’t helpful and the only way to get where you are is to do all the stuff you’ve done! So– long story short, no. 

Portrait via Jewels