by Jeanice Brad, photographed by Erica Jackson
When most applicants receive a large FedEx package from the dream school they applied to, they immediately become ecstatic, realizing that chances are they've become accepted. Brigitta Tooker, however, thought just the opposite. “I thought they were sending all of my application materials back!” she laughs. Fortunately, the large package was nothing but good news for Brigitta, who entered GS in fall 2003.
The Hispanic Studies major decided to continue her education in an initiative to find joy and purpose in her life again after her husband passed away four and a half years ago. They ran a manufacturing business together for thirty years before he died of a heart attack. “I tried to continue running the business [without him], but I kept expecting to see him there every morning. It was hard for me emotionally, only making me sicker. I decided to sell the company.”
After Brigitta sold her business, she “didn’t do anything for a year. I kept spiraling downward [into depression].” Finally, an honest and concerned friend spoke up, telling her to do something about her life to keep herself busy, to find a new purpose. This was intriguing to Brigitta...but what would she do? Her friends, family members and children (now fully grown) all suggested things like travel, or going back into the workforce. Brigitta wasn’t interested in those things, especially the latter because she was used to being her own boss.
One day, like lightning, it struck her. “I thought it would be paradise to go to school, just to learn.” Brigitta always felt a little guilty since she didn’t get to finish college years ago in Germany. When she met her husband there, she got married and had to put off her studies. Now she feels like GS is where she belongs. “I called NYU for information about an older, non-traditional student continuing their education. My calls kept getting redirected to different departments, only to be told that I’d be sent a brochure. When I called up Columbia, [within two call transfers] I was being told that this place was exactly where I belonged.” When Brigitta first started, she “realized that I felt good. I told myself, this is the way you used to feel.”
Brigitta sees herself as a part of a larger family here at GS. “My experience here has been absolutely fabulous. [Administration at GS] want me to succeed more than I do, or at least as much. I bump into people on campus, and they always stop me to ask me if things are on track, it gives you an emotional boost.”
One of those people Brigitta is fond of is Leslie Limardo, a large presence in GS’s much acclaimed “Back To College” program that some students must attend during their first semester. The course brushes new students up on essentials such as studying techniques, time management and stress relief among other topics. “The class on studying techniques alone was well worth it.” She advises incoming students to “Organize your life. Little daily things suck up your available time. You can’t focus when other things are on your mind.”
If Brigitta could, she’d make improvements to the studying environment at the GS lounge. “[It should be] more conducive to studying. Butler has a three-hole puncher, a stapler. Barnard has a microwave. The food on campus is extremely expensive,” she says noting that commuters like herself may want to bring in food from home.
After Brigitta receives her degree in Hispanic Studies, she plans on going to Spain to further her studies for a year. She also hopes to set up a part time home for herself there, while spending the rest of her time in her Manhattan apartment. Until then, she’s enjoying her time here with what she considers her extended family. “For a big school, its amazing how small it feels...Everyday I look forward to going to school.”
Has this experience helped Brigitta get her life back? “Look at me. I’m grinning.”
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