Barnard is awesome—trust me, I’ve been places. I’ve seen things.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that students dream of collegiate perfection, and will spend four years complaining bitterly. I know most of the time, when we complain about Barnumbia, it’s not that deep. I’d say people complain in part because the positives of college so profoundly outweigh the negatives.

But in light of all the turmoil we’ve experienced on campus over the last year, I wanted to take time to publicly appreciate some of the things that make Barnard truly special, especially as someone who has attended another undergraduate institution.

Barnard babes are ambitious, not cutthroat, and directed, not rigid. No matter how busy they get curing diseases and writing the next great American novel my peers are always keen to uplift each other—from providing feedback on papers to getting together to hit the books to offering hugs in hard times, this place always feels like a true community.

In addition, the pre-professionalism that has a stranglehold on college campuses across the country (including parts of Columbia) hasn’t detracted from Barnard’s culture of intellectual curiosity. Generally, my peers major in subjects they care about; for every aspiring doctor-lawyer-businessperson, there is a future journalist, academic, or writer who doesn’t get their knickers in such a twist about their postgraduate five-year plan. Barnard makes space for many different folks and the diversity that makes this place feel like home.

Apropos of my previous point, Barnard babes of all majors rarely treat the humanities as a chore, and I have never been made to feel less than for studying English or planning to pursue related fields. I have met so many STEM majors in my English classes who wax poetic about their non-major courses and legitimately love to participate alongside die-hard humanities people. Here, reading and discussion tend to be embraced, not derided for their “lack of utility.”

In addition, our extracurriculars reflect the diverse passions of this community. I haven’t met anyone who, as a rule, puts padding their resume above pursuing their legitimate interests. From science fiction to juggling to journalism, we have clubs that unite people around the passions they share.

Shoutout to the resources and facilities that support us living our best lives on campus and beyond! Barnard offers career consulting not just for current students but even post-graduation. This support will be invaluable to us until we’re old and gray, especially considering the challenges women still face in the workplace. And PCHS is wonderful. Having such convenient access to high-quality healthcare is an incredible luxury not enjoyed by many college students (or Americans).

Our relationship with Columbia has a huge, positive impact on our collegiate experience, and shared opportunities tend to add to Barnard without taking away from its character as a unique and separate institution. Not to mention that thanks to Columbia, we enjoy SO MANY amazing dining options! Even as someone with a dietary restriction, I never run out of new dishes to try!

We have a strong, engaged alumni network of EVEN MORE Barnard babes!!! It’s an embarrassment of riches, guys. I don’t know what to say. 

Your deans and professors tend to actually care, and generally embrace the value of this college and its community in material ways that don’t begin or end with marketing. Of course, there are duds, but on the whole, I have been highly impressed with the people who keep this place running.

Some of you may disagree with me; believe me, I’m a transfer—no college experience is perfect. But I can tell you on good authority that this place is pretty special.

Athena Statue via Bwarchives