Shoutout to Diana 113.

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Aurelia Tan, Barnard College, History & Urban Teaching—Secondary Social Studies, Elmhurst, Queens

Claim to fame: Commuting for all four years, Barnard Student Government Association veteran (Senior Class President, Vice President for Equity, first-ever Representative for Transfer, International, and Commuter Students), Skip Stop, Barnard’s Asian Diaspora, Lift Up Barnard… I also helped with the making of the Barnard Asian Diasporic Studies and Asian American Studies minor/concentration WHICH YOU SHOULD TOTALLY TAKE!!! Oh and SGA’s Lunar New Year… that’s my baby.

Where are you going? Finalist for Fulbright’s English Teaching Assistantship in Indonesia! Hopefully I’ll be teaching English in a rural Indonesian high school from August 2025-April 2026 if everything works out. After that? Or if things don’t work out? Maybe teaching history at a public high school or studying for the LSAT to go to law school. Who knows…

What are three things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2029?

1. You can do whatever you set your mind to! Can’t find the club/major you’re looking for? Make it! So long as you can find people to support you (everyone here is quite nice), you can absolutely do it.
2. You will find your people. I was really scared coming into this school as a commuter student, but it’s going to be okay! I promise. Come to events that interest you and muster the courage to talk to people first. There are so many things to do on campus (and off), and you’re bound to find someone you vibe with.
3. You’re going to be okay. School will be challenging, but you got in for a reason. You have potential! And you’re going to do great things here. Believe in yourself and your ability to excel!

“Back in my day…” Non-residential Barnard students weren’t required to enroll in a meal plan…

Favorite Columbia lore? Roaree X Millie Fanfic: Love Across Broadway; thanks Bwog. I don’t know if I can sort of self-promo here, but I took this VERY seriously (see last slide of Instagram post).

What was your favorite class at Columbia? History of the City of New York, Fall 2021, with Josh Schwartz. The professors change every now and then, but it’s a mandatory course for any New Yorker (or wannabe New Yorker) who has a penchant for local history.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? Well, I’m lactose intolerant…

Whom would you like to thank? My parents aren’t going to read this, but I’d like to thank them first for always supporting me and encouraging me to pursue what makes me happy. And I’m happy here (also am SO happy to graduate).

Mandatory thanks to Legal Outreach and South Asian Youth Action for getting me here in the first place. I had no idea what Barnard was before them, and there’s no way I would’ve been able to navigate the college admissions process without them.

In 2021, the class of 2025 was all on GroupMe and Discord—so I’d like to thank the people whom I’d spend hours chatting with after (or during…) Zoom school. It was so great to be able to come to campus and actually know so many peers because of it! Even if we don’t talk anymore, thank you for helping the college transition feel that much easier. Also shoutout to Genshin Impact, and specifically the Columbian Genshiners Discord server. Not to out myself, but I’ve met some of my closest friends on there :”)

Shoutout to my advisors, both academic and not: Professor Angelo Caglioti (who’s been my advisor since freshman year!), Professor Thai Jones (my thesis advisor and the GOAT), Simone Medley (bestie), and Catlin Michael Wjotkowski (no longer with us at Barnard). When it comes to major planning, thesis writing, or event coordinating, you guys guided me through making all of my crazy ideas happen.

Lastly, thank you to anyone and everyone who’s ever helped out an event of mine. This goes from attending, helping set up, being a part of the planning stage, and most importantly, listening to my vents. My committee members, my board members, and my beloved friends. I love you guys so so much. None of what made my four years on campus meaningful could have happened without your support. This includes whoever nominated me :D

Oh and also, a quick love letter to the Commuter Lounge: from finding friends, heating my lunch, and taking a nap, Diana 113 has always been my second home. I can’t wait to finally see it renovated.

One thing to do before graduating? GET OUT OF MANHATTAN. EXPLORE THE CITY! Preferably go to Queens, since it’s the best borough.

Any regrets? Last semester, I was filled with this constant sense of dread and regret. It happens. I regretted spending so much time on extracurriculars and not enough time focused on academics. Already a senior, I felt like I didn’t truly appreciate the incredible faculty at Barnard/Columbia, who are literally here to help us learn and grow as scholars. BUT! Now, I don’t think I’d take back how I spent my four years. TLDR it’s normal to feel some sort of doubt, but at the end of it all, it’ll be fine.

Aurelia via Aurelia