A wise senior’s words with a textual timbre of thankfulness for everyone he has met.

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Nichi Pandey, Columbia College, Creative Writing (Poetry), Baltimore, MD

Claim to fame: Baci Supper Club

Where are you going? Chasing some dreams in the food industry. I was offered a job to be the Director of Operations at a restaurant group in Baltimore. I’ll be helping to manage four restaurant properties by the end of this calendar year. And a lot more creative pursuits to come…

But I’m not going anywhere, New York! I plan to come back and forth quite often!

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

  1. Remember that you’re a blank slate when you get to college, so put on your best face. People have no context for who you are.
  2. Take things slow.
  3. Apply what you learn in the classroom to your daily life.

“Back in my day…” I wasn’t here for too long, but I think there used to be a little more respect for professors… after Zoom, things seem really casual (which isn’t a bad thing…).

Favorite Columbia controversy? Dining hall controversies were always interesting to follow. I never thought they were that deep, but alas, college students need something to complain about…

What was your favorite class at Columbia? A creative writing seminar called West to East taught by Alex Dimitrov. Take any class he teaches, but remember that he’s a poet and not your role model!

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese?

Future lovers, read this: cheese

Future diners, read this: oral sex

Whom would you like to thank? Thank you lists have gotten me in trouble before, and anyway, I want to thank everyone that I ever crossed paths with while here, and that’s more names than I can remember. 

Thank you so much.

Even if we don’t talk anymore or haven’t seen each other in a while, please remember that I’m just a phone call or text message away – 443-257-9329. I’ll always be here for you; I mean it.

One thing to do before graduating:

Stop listening to people (within reason). Write a poem instead of finishing your homework (unless that is your homework). Skip class if you feel like taking a walk instead. Say what makes you laugh. Just follow your impulses. Be spontaneous. Wake up excited, and go to sleep shocked by what you’ve done.

Any regrets?

I regret so much, but that’s life, right?

I was at a museum with my cousin, and we visited the exhibit on Impressionism. “Squint,” he said, and the image came into focus.

Nichi via Nichi