“Even though our class lost all the celebratory events — which are supposed to be important milestones — that isn’t what made my time at Columbia so incredible. It was the people and teammates who made me smile and laugh every day, who shared workouts and dinners with me, who stayed up studying late at night with me and who cheered me on during my races, that has made these 3.75 years so special.”

“The unforeseeable and swift end to my senior year made me realize how precious the time I had at campus really was. As you go through the day-to-day life of being a student you accumulate these little joys of campus life — like seeing your friends on College Walk, getting your favorite sandwich at Brownies, finding the perfect seat in Butler. I understood these joys to be built-in perks of being a College student but took for granted the ephemeral nature of their presence in my life; my abrupt departure from campus meant leaving them all behind.

“Since I arrived at Columbia, I’ve grown more compassionate as I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the issues our society is plagued with. I’ve learned to put less worth into what is thought of me than how I feel about myself. … My education taught me the value of learning for learning — for curiosity’s and your own sake. Getting ahead will happen when you’re passionate about what you’re doing or why you’re doing it and your passion leads you to work hard. Everything happens in its own time, and there’s nothing wrong with deviating from the path you thought you’d have.

“Columbia has served as a crucible of my character, my intellect, my artistic inclinations, my physical and mental health, and my work ethic, and I am so much better for it. I know myself far more comprehensively than I did four years ago, and through extending my comfort zone, working hard and challenging myself, I have a newfound, incandescent confidence that is intrinsically rather than extrinsically derived. I know myself, love myself and genuinely believe that I can do anything.

“The marvel and beauty of the winter lights of College Walk are matched only by those of the shared moments that occur on a daily basis at Columbia.”