Emma Tuzinkiewicz

We bring you our first Senior Wisdom for our seniors prematurely leaving us this semester and going off into the big, bad, beautiful world. Up first to share her wisdom with us is Emma Tuzinkiewicz who kept us sustainable during her time at Columbia.

Name, Hometown, School, Major: Emma Tuzinkiewicz (Emma Tuz), Darien, CT, Columbia College, Sustainable Development & Hispanic Studies

Claim to fame: I was the Co-President of EcoReps, Co-Founder and Co-President of EcoLions, the undergraduate representative on the Sustainability Advisory Committee, and the only person who posted a #SustainableSeflie every Monday for a full semester and won the iPad. Played on the Columbia University lacrosse team for one season…and then proceeded to tear my ACL the next two Septembers!

Where are you going? Nowhere boring!

What are 3 things you learned at Columbia and would like to share with the Class of 2018?

1. Say hello to everyone. There is something magical about this cozy campus surrounded by gates. I don’t think there is anywhere else in the world where in a city as energetic and bustling as New York, you’re able to say hello to so many friendly or familiar faces. Whether it’s that random kid you met during NSOP, your CC professor, best friends, Dining Hall staff, saying hello to them will always brighten the day.
2. As my favorite fortune cookie tells me, “you are busy but you are happy” and I learned that this is true here, too. I personally think that it’s the best way to be. There are too many wonderful clubs to join and lead, city adventures to take, and people to see. No matter how busy you get, “promise me you will not spend so much time treading water and trying to keep your head above the waves that you forget, truly forget how much you have always loved to swim.” No matter how busy, you’re school in the best city in the world.
3. The Columbia network is amazing and will come up when you least expect it. Not only will you make friends that you definitely will have forever, you will also meet a fellow Lion on the 1 train who will have had the same dorm room as you. You will be connected to an incredible alumna who turns into your boss at your dream internship. You will have too many fun nights to remember and crazy funny stories with the awe-inspiring people you will meet at Columbia which you will always hold dear. There is something unique about the energy of the Columbia family.

“Back in my day…” Carman did not have Wi-Fi, the Carman lounge did not have a plant wall, and the Dining Hall food just keeps getting better and better (As a side note, I’m really going to miss not having it. Stay on the meal plan for 4 years—trust me, you’ll be thankful you did.)

Justify your existence in 30 words or fewer: If I’ve made you smile at least once, I think that’s justification enough. Write your most memorable note from the field. Walking up Low Steps on the first day of school every September and on the first warm spring day every year….now those are memories.

Would you rather give up oral sex or cheese? I always ask for no cheese on my salads.

One thing to do before graduating: Go on Professor Jackson’s All Night Bike Ride. I waited four years to do it and ended up riding through the streets alongside my closest friends laughing and smiling from College Walk to Brooklyn.

Any regrets? I cannot think of any because any regret that I may have ended up turning into something pretty wonderful. Oh, but I never made it to a Columbia rooftop.