Alyse, former Bwog Staff Writer and Social Team member, urges you to change towards happiness.

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Alyse Rovner; Barnard College; Economics and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies; Los Angeles, CA

Claim to fame: CWBS The Scope Slack channel or when I was rejected as a hair model

Where are you going?  Culinary School… and then work in NYC!   

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2027? 

1. Spend time with friends and explore the city – this time is so special! Appreciate it. 
2. If you don’t like your major, change it. Do what makes you happy. 
3. Do not sacrifice your well-being to achieve perfection. The work will get done. I live by Professor Janet Jakobsen’s advice that “The best paper is a done paper.” 

“Back in my day…” There were no tents, the Barnard dorm on 121st was JTS housing, and John Jay was the BEST dining hall. 

Favorite Columbia controversy? Grasshopper found in Ferris Salad 

What was your favorite class at Columbia? Take Religion, Gender, and Violence with Professor Jakobsen or any class with Professor Janet Jakobsen. She is a great professor who makes dense theoretical readings understandable and she cares about her students. The readings for the class are super interesting and you get the opportunity to do research. 

Whom would you like to thank? I would like to thank my amazing friends and family and the Barnard College Class of 2023 (we did it!!). 

One thing to do before graduating: Picnic in central park with the people you love <3

Any regrets? College is college and you can’t change the past! 

Alyse Rovner via Alyse Rovner