Eleanor reminds us to be adventurous during course selection!

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Eleanor Moraes, Barnard College, Political Science, Westchester, NY

Claim to fame: Never shutting up about my wonderful roommate, perpetually involved with transfer student orientation, being the youngest member of Barnard’s 2023 class.

Where are you going? Home for an extended holiday break, and then back to NYC to start working. Maybe grad school down the line… ?

What are three things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2027? 

1. Take as many classes outside your major as you can! You never know what you might end up liking. Pay special attention to the smaller or more “niche” departments, there are a lot of hidden gems!
2. Everyone says it, but that’s because it’s true! Leave the Columbia bubble, go downtown, to a museum, apple picking upstate, the beach, etc. there’s so much to do in this area, take advantage!
3. Make time to take care of yourself. It has really helped me to think of self-care as one of the things that I’m trying to learn in college, and to carve out time to go for walks, read, and try new things.

“Back in my day…” We had to-go boxes from all the dining halls and I could still find an iced coffee in Morningside Heights for less than two dollars.

Favorite Columbia controversy? All the ugly COVID-era tents.

What was your favorite class at Columbia? Literally everything that I took in the religion department, it changed the way I think about so many things! Also, Media and Data in American Politics, I took it my last semester, it was a fun way to wrap up my major!

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? No comment…

Whom would you like to thank? So many people! Special shoutouts to Shermaine, Nora, my family, all the wonderful people at Columbia/Barnard Canterbury, Barnard BOAT, everyone who answers their phone when I’m out for an afternoon walk, and so many more!

One thing to do before graduating: Go running down by the Hudson River; have breakfast on low steps on a quiet Saturday; study in the Theology Library; grab a latte at Dear Mama. 

Any regrets? Not really? I’m pretty happy with the experience that I’ve had :)

Eleanor via Eleanor