Have you ever wanted to share the benefit of your experience with members of a younger generation, those following in your footsteps? CCT gave attendees of Alumni Reunion Weekend and Dean’s Day 2011 a chance to offer words of advice to members of the Class of 2015.
“College is the best time of your life whether you know it or not.
”The most important thing to remember is that this should be a time of intellectual exploration.”
Emily Tang ’06
”Make as much money as you can in high school; New York is expensive! ”Make sure to try the pear cider at the farmer’s market.
”Study abroad — if you’re going to the most diverse campus in the country, you should have a diverse education.”
Scott Smith ’86
“Being in NYC is a trip, but make sure that Columbia is always your nucleus: Always come back to Columbia.”
Julie Waxgiser ’91
“Go to office hours and get to know your professors. They get a better understanding of you, and then you have an important relationship that you’ll need later on.”
Chris Tahbaz ’86, ’90L
”Don’t miss the midnight bike ride with Professor Ken Jackson. ”Enjoy it; college is a great four years that you’ll never have again and different from anything you’ll ever do.”
Evans Kissi ’91, ’08 PH
“Pace yourself. Do your homework and then take time to explore the world around you.”
Ed Chin ’71
“This is a tremendous opportunity for you to make your own choices. College will be an epiphany.”
Arnold Chase ’61, ’64L
“Enjoy your education because you’ll come away with the greatest thing you could possibly learn, and that’s how to think.”
Natalie Kimmelman ’06
“Learn how to use the stacks in Butler Library early on.”
Kimberly Fisher ’00
”Get involved in club sports, because you can’t just study. Doing a sport helps you balance life.”
Justin Ifill ’06
“Take everything in stride and keep a level head.”
James Ammeen ’61, ’62 Business
”Get involved with the College and with your classmates.”
John Leonardo ’61
“Embrace the Core. When I got to Columbia I knew what it was, but I didn’t grasp how much of an influence it would have on my life.”
Karen McCally ’91
“Careful how you talk to your professors over email. Be polite. Don’t call them ‘yo’ or ‘dude.’ We didn’t have the opportunities to make those kinds of faux pas when we were in college — we had to show up in person.”
Henry Sackler ’06
”Try to live in Carman your freshman year — you’ll meet more people and become more popular.”
