It's reading week, and we know you need something to tide you over between "re"-reading an entire semester's worth of material. That's why we've decided to run a very special additional senior wisdom with help from commenter favorite Nat Gale.

Name, School:

Nathaniel (but call me 'Nat', please) Gale, SEAS

Claim to fame:

Not quite screwing up COÖP, WKCR, and Engineers Without Borders — Ghana.

Post-grad plans:

Hmm that's a tough one. I've been telling people that I'm about 70% likely to be in NYC, with a 30% chance of Portland, OR on my horizon. Time will tell. Summer will hopefully be packed with the likes of New England's Rising Star (Hartford, CT), Minneapolis, Halifax, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Preferred swim test stroke?

As a swimmer I like 'em all. I'd recommend the 'helicopter stroke' if you're looking for some fun. It's like half freestyle, half backstroke with you rotating through the water like a bullet twirling through a chamber. Makes you dizzy as hell.

What are three things you learned at Columbia?

1. The importance of being able to say 'no.'
2. Sometimes (but only sometimes), the monetary cost of something isn't all that matters.
3. Buy, rent, or steal a bike. Explore.
   

Justify your existence in 30 words or less.

Late nights and early mornings make for a lot out of life. Although it's a tiring existence, every second is worth it.

What was your favorite controversy in your time at Columbia?

I was pissed when Hugo Chavez had to cancel (or was he disinvited? scared of snipers? we'll never know) on the World Leaders forum. And I had a ticket, too...

What Columbia memory best exemplifies your college experience?

Getting cornrows for the entire week of finals fall semester freshman year because I thought it would be good luck, only to result in my academically worst semester.

Which prof do you think would be the best kisser?

Definitely Amber Miller in the Physics department. With a first name like 'Amber' she's gotta be great.

What percentage of seniors do you think are virgins?

0%. After four years here, we've all been fucked by Columbia at least once.

Would you rather permanently give up oral sex or cheese?

In all honesty I think I could go without oral sex in lieu of pizza, cheese danishes, and pretty much all the food from Taqueria y Fonda. Plus, oral sex is only a handful of positions. There are hundreds that are more pleasurable. See 'Italian Chandelier.'

Days on Campus memory?

Watching Anton Glamb and the Kingsmen perform for the first time in the Lerner Party Space. Realizing how it was kinda lame that at a College University there is a room called the "Party Space." Not that Lerner Pub hasn't been fun.

Regrets?

Not too many. Sex in the stacks? I'm still holding out...