Madeline says that you should go do things on your own.

Name, School, Major Hometown: Madeline Toledano, Religion & Psychology, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Claim to fame: Coining the term “encampmentship” 

Where are you going? to reenact every episode of Girls in excruciating detail (this is also called moving to Brooklyn) 

What are three things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2028? 

1. You should just do all the things you want to do by yourself. People actually think it is extremely awesome when you do things by yourself, and they will admire this about you and eventually ask to join you. Not only that, but if you are lacking a personality, you can always start going to the movies alone and then interjecting in every conversation, “I actually go to the movies all by myself.” Everyone will like this and think you are extremely cool. Trust. 

2. The university should not be acting in loco parentis. Once you stop thinking about yourself as a student at Columbia University and start thinking about yourself as a person who also happens to be a student, the world will really open up. Barnard and Columbia can be all consuming vortexes. Get off campus and remember that you are a person first. 

3. The pickles at Chef Mike’s are off menu, which apparently everyone knew except me.

“Back in my day…” you could pin your crush to the top of your screen to make lectures a little more interesting. 

Favorite Columbia lore? I noticed you changed this question from “Favorite Columbia controversy?” Why is that?

What was your favorite class at Columbia? Quran with Najam Haider but don’t you dare tell him I said that 

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? I actually really prefer to give…recommendations for a mild and creamy cheese. I personally love Vermont Creamery’s Cremont and Saint Andre Triple Creme. 

Whom would you like to thank? 

Isa for debriefing and eating Roti Roll on my floor, Bella & Chlö$ for always making me feel like I had family at school, Frankie for having that tote bag in the Shake Shack line, the entire Religion Thesis seminar class for carrying the past year, Sulz Tower basement vending machine, PCHS Brooks Hall vending machine, whoever donated their last names to Wu and Nussbaum, Hooda Halal, my parents, Talal Asad, the F Train, the C Train, and God. 

One thing to do before graduating? 

I would never tell anyone what to do. Don’t let anyone tell you what to do. 

Any regrets? 

When you have this many, you can’t remember the specifics.