Be brave!! You got this!!

Name, School, Major, Hometown: Amelia, Barnard College, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Seattle, WA

Claim to fame: Columbia Pops cellist and board member, your bio TA, and the person behind the voice in your hall singing karaoke way too loud on a random Tuesday.

Where are you going? I’m heading out for a run in Riverside!! Where are you going?

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

1. Make a list of all the things you want to do in the city and, on one day every week, cross off one thing from the list. 
2. Taking breaks doesn’t make you a worse person or student; it almost always makes you happier and more productive. Go for a walk! Eat food! Talk to someone! Sleep!
3. Never live with your ex.

“Back in my day…” the Altschul Barnard bio department skeleton kept me company while I studied for finals, we couldn’t sit on Futter Field because it was tented, Shiny Tea was our favorite boba place, and Remy the rat got Koronet’s shut down.

Favorite Columbia lore? Much of the scaffolding we have in NYC is there because of Grace Gold BC (would have been ‘82).

What was your favorite class at Columbia? Latino Health with Juan Pablo Cominguez. Not only did my Spanish vastly improve, but it helped me realize that I wanted to go into healthcare! Also anything with Gabrielle Corradino. She’s super knowledgeable, advocates for her students, and really, really cares. She creates her classes purposefully and thoughtfully for your future benefit.

Whom would you like to thank? My incredible friends and family for their love and support, Columbia Pops for their funky tunes and wonderful community, JJ’s french toast, trees green with leaves in the spring, quiet snow days, running, my kitchen, dishwashers, the Barnard biology department, Diana late night chicken tenders, my emotional support water bottle for always being empty but also always being there, sleep, ibuprofen for its magical ability to cure headaches, backpacking, tulips, and every teacher I’ve ever had.

One thing to do before graduating? Get checked for iron and vitamin D deficiency! Also do something outside your comfort zone!! It could mean petting a tarantula or trying a new food or cliff jumping or taking the class that you think you have no place taking. Be brave!! You got this!!

Any regrets? Definitely, but nothing not worth repeating. Character building has to happen somehow.

Amelia via Amelia