Cindy shares the wisest words of all: it’s never that deep.

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Cindy Lu, Columbia College, Financial Economics and Political Science, Dallas, TX

Claim to fame: Nonseq mother, AKPsi brother / social chair, Bumble ambassador for a hot sec, “micro-influencer” aka that girl with semi-viral TikToks every once in a while

Where are you going? Super far (not actually very far) downtown. See you in a month!

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

  1. Full send it. Seek discomfort. Pursue new experiences, friendships, and knowledge. “Beginner’s Mind” never ends, especially with all the opportunities you’ll encounter in your 4 years at this institution. (Also, GO ABROAD! Best decision of my life.)
  2. The best people in life are around you. Find them, support them, tell them you love them, and hold onto them. Reminder: these people may come and go, and don’t be afraid if/when this happens.
  3. Prioritize your health. Get enough sleep, eat better, work out — just make time out of your busy day to take care of yourself, mentally and physically. It’s not a waste of your time, I promise, and your problem sets, essays, and parties will still be there when you get back.
  4. (Bonus) Whatever you’re agonizing about, it’s not that deep. It’s never that deep.

“Back in my day…” I had to write my own essays (without the help of ChatGPT), Faculty House was only for Prezbo and his minions, my fake actually scanned (not that it matters anymore), and students still lived on campus.

Favorite Columbia controversy? Michael Thaddeus and his exposé that dropped us from #2 to #18 on US News.

What was your favorite class at Columbia? First of all, I loved the Core Curriculum, especially Contemporary Civilizations. But I’ll put down a couple of real ones because maybe this is too hot of a take.

  1. Intermediate Macroeconomics (Prof. Xavier Sala-i-Martin) – took this freshman fall and it taught me to prioritize good professors in my time at Columbia
  2. Freedom of Speech and Press (PrezBo) – not sure if it will continue to be offered but the daily cold-call anxiety was 100% worth it

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? I literally can’t live without cheese. As an Asian blessed with lactose tolerance, this is a no-brainer.

Whom would you like to thank? My parents, my little brother, Ruggles 4 and Co., Nonseq past and present, AKPsi, Cambridge Spring 2022, 116th and Partners, Alyssa, Elina, Ryan, Maya, Josie, Tas, Easten, Kimbo, David, Aishlinn, Peter, Caden, Sam, Jackie C, Sonya, Angela, Vera, my day 1s: Shivani, Emma, and my lovely EC H505 suitemates.

One thing to do before graduating: Use up all your meal swipes, I bet you can’t.

Any regrets? None :)

Cindy via Cindy