Take advantage of student discount tickets.

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Abigail Fleming, Political Science and Human Rights, Rogers, AR – Conway, SC – Stony Creek, NY

Claim to fame: NONE, just how I like it.

Where are you going? Hopefully everywhere

What are three things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2030?

• Capitalize on your failures! Undergrad has seen me friendless, jobless, and homeless
  (yikes). By sharing my authentic story—failures and all—I’ve managed to get back on
  my feet every time. Whether it’s academically, professionally, or personally, authenticity has reaped more benefits than any façade could.
• Each semester I picked one big thing I was scared to do, and committed to it. (Gave a
  TedX Talk, ran the NYC marathon, studied abroad, etc.) Living outside of your comfort
  zone will either give you everything you want in life, or the perspective to realize you
  already have it.
• Everyone’s faking it! You’re probably just as smart (or smarter) than the people
  confidently raising their hands to monologue in your discussion section. Go get ‘em.

“Back in my day…” Raising Canes was Mel’s Burger Bar (Mecca)

What was your favorite class at Columbia? Hard to pick just one, but the first class I ever registered for was Intro to American Politics with Michael Miller… affirmed I was on the right academic path and inspired me to get serious about understanding America as deeply as I could (and by virtue of that, my place in the world). Arguably why I felt compelled to study abroad, and have picked up the habit of reading The Economist weekly.

Whom would you like to thank? Jemima Gedeon, former Access Barnard FLI advisor who was my only cheerleader for a long time. Cadence Gonzalez, Lauren Guines, and Maryum Qamar, for being true friends. And my sisters, Rheanna and Sophia, for inspiring me endlessly.

One thing to do before graduating? Student discount tickets everywhere!!! Go experience the symphony in Carnegie Hall, ballet at Lincoln Center, and overwhelming amounts of world-class art everywhere.

Any regrets? Every time I complained

Abigail via Abigail