“I will always credit Columbia with honing my sense of civic purpose. I have discussed and debated citizenship and social responsibility in my Core classes, especially Contemporary Civilization. I have listened to incredible speakers — political leaders, organizers and the like — through the on-campus organizations and event series like the World Leaders Forum. I have met so many people who passionately advocate for issues they care about. I’ve been inspired to do the same, and to make it my mission in life to break down barriers to civic engagement. Go vote.

“I miss walking out of an event, party or lecture with friends, utterly speechless, giggling and grinning like a fool because of the brilliance we got to witness. … Columbia has always felt like a dream. I had seven and a half unbelievable semesters, and woke up a little too early.

“There’s so much right with the world, and so much wrong with it. If we can use our educations to tilt the scales toward the first, we should be able to take an afternoon off every once in a while.”

“These past few months I’ve really missed the gatherings, especially how everyone would sit out on the grass and on Low Steps. Whatever we were doing, it was the fact that we were together that gave it a feeling of belonging.

“Out of my entire college experience, I most appreciate the friends that I’ve made and the people whom I’ve met. I believe that we’re meant to meet the people we meet, so every single interaction that I’ve had has only added to my college experience and to my self-love journey.

“Thinking about the future, I know I’ll appreciate the connections and networks I established with fellow students, faculty, mentors and all professionals in their respective fields. My Columbia education has made me a better-informed citizen both politically and socially, with a deeper understanding of the history and philosophies that continue to govern our society.

“This past semester I’ve missed my closest friends, the ones that I’ve had since freshman year. Our last months together were supposed to be a triumph, and my heart aches for the moments that we have lost. And yet, looking back at the last four years, I have realized that we’ve had so many beautiful moments already — a multitude of friendsgivings, wine gatherings and impromptu meetings on Low Steps. And though the mourning of what we could have had is still sharp, it does not detract from the simple miracles of that time that we’ve spent together.