My Commons Life

News & features about the Vanderbilt Commons from the students who live here

Archives for January 2018

MCL Top 5: Nearest mural locations around Commons

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Do you like to take photos with interesting murals? Here are five nearest mural walls around commons. The walk time is fewer than 30 minutes. At weekends, invite a friend, grab some snack, have a slow walk, and take some fantastic pictures. Pictures below are taken by some first year students.

5. Import Flowers(Murphy Road)

4. Road to the Skyline(Legend’s Corner)

3. Gulch: What Lifts You mural (11th Avenue South)

2. 12th avenue: Nashville at Heart rainbow mural (2705 12th Ave)

I Believe in Nashville murals (2702 12th Ave. S)

1. Hillsboro Village: dragon mural

Kay Bob’s Grill & Ale

Perspective; Even Pre-med Students Should Explore Academically

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This is Alex Luckerman.

(image from the hustler)

“I came into college thinking that my passion was education but upon further thought I realize I didn’t want to teach and I didn’t really know what else to do with that, so I’m kind of at a point where I just want to explore, and that’s all I really feel like is certain at this point.

So right now I’m taking Neuroscience, ugh, a computer science class, a class called mind and brain which is about cognitive neuroscience–I did not really know that getting into it, but I thought it was cool so I stayed– the intro seminar for Peabody scholars which is on creativity and an English class on representative american writers… and intro French, because I took it in high school and I forgot everything despite having been in it for 5 years…”

His Plentiful Interests

Honestly I would take classes in pretty much everything we have here with the exception of maybe like, really theoretical math classes and anything in business, (it just) isn’t that interesting to me. But otherwise, all of the sciences, like chemistry, biology and physics were just so interesting to me in high school…I also really, want to take classes in philosophy, I took intro to ethics last semester, and it was easily my favorite class, with my class on justice just behind it. And neither of those pertain to anything I’m going to show up with on my diploma when I leave here, but they were just so, cool.

I like thinking about how different social structures work, and what it means to be human, and all these really deep questions that I feel like a lot of students here don’t really feel like they have the time to pause and think about, because they’re too busy trying to go down a specific path toward a career, or they’ve managed to isolate one thing that they’re really passionate about, that they can just pursue.

His Recommendation?

I’m really fortunate that as a cognitive studies major with a good number of AP credits transferring in that I have just a bunch of freedom that I can just explore. I understand that not everyone is going to be able to do the same sort of random class taking that I am lucky enough to be able to do, especially if they’re pre-med, and want to do a double major in whatever crazy stuff people are up to around here.

 But, when they get the chance, I think it’s really mind-opening to just be able to take a class that you wouldn’t otherwise be studying and just give you a moment to take your mind away from the very specific path that you might have chosen… you’re, sort of forced to choose when you choose a major, and actually explore the broader intellectual world around you. There’s a unique opportunity to do that at college that you’re gonna struggle to find anywhere else, especially for the time to do.”

The Belcourt

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In my small suburb outside Dallas, Texas we watched whatever new movie was advertised most aggressively to us. Most of the time we would show up at the theater without checking what was playing before and blindly buy a ticket to whatever was showing next. It was something to kill time; my best friend actually hated watching movies but couldn’t think of anything else for us to do.

I’m a movie lover, and for my first year writing seminar  I took “Visual Storytelling”, a theatre and cinema class. We were given a list of movies we needed to watch for the class, one of which was an experimental film called “Koyaanisqatsi”. My teacher told us it was being shown at the Belcourt theatre, which was a small indie theater within walking distance of campus. My friend and I went one weekend to cross the movie off our lists, and when we arrived we found the theatre packed. So packed we had trouble finding two seats next to each other, which immediately struck me as strange because a) it was released in the 80’s, by no means an exciting new release, and b) it was a two hour experimental film, which I had never imagined could be anyone’s idea of a fun Friday night, even just to kill time.

For me, it was one of the most frustratingly boring two hours of my life. Long camera spans of canyons, buildings, architecture, random images of factories, shopping malls, and highways, all set to a droning choral soundtrack. At one point I was so close to falling asleep I had to leave the theatre and walk around outside to wake myself up. But the audience loved it. They actually clapped at the end of it, which I had only experienced at the end of a midnight release of an Avengers movie my friend, a massive marvel fan, had dragged me too. A whole audience clapping like that, you could feel the passion they had for the movie.

That same excitement filled the theatre during the Belcourt showing of I, Tonya. The movie stars Margot Robbie as the infamous ice skater Tonya Harding who was accused of being involved in the knee-capping of one of her competitors. It’s a more mainstream movie than Koyaanisqatsi for sure, but the enthusiasm was the same. A packed theatre, rolls of laughter and audible gasps throughout the action; this is what watching a movie is meant to feel like.

If you look on the Belcourt website they play a range of different movies, some starring well-known actors like James Franco and some with titles you can’t even pronounce. No matter what movie is showing, the atmosphere in the theatre is the same. Contributing to the transition of a night at the movies into something more special is the“artisanal” snacks served at the counter such as brownies and muffins, and the fact that there are only a few theatre rooms in the building. Your experience feels more like an event than just something that is being replicated all around you. Walk down to the theatre and see for yourself, and make sure to show your student ID for a discount.

 

http://www.belcourt.org/

 

MCL Top 5: Apps a College Student Should Get

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The new semester continues, a new way to spice things up is to get some new (free!) mobile apps on your smartphone to help you study, shop and even stay educated!

5. BeFocused

If you’re a self-proclaimed procrastinator like me, you’d love BeFocused! This app allows you to record tasks you have to do, from classwork to cleaning your room, check them off as you complete them, check your weekly progress and reward you with a break for every productive session. The default timer is set for a 5 minute break for every 25 minute work session but you can change the breaks and work sessions to any amount of time that you’d like!

4. Line Camera

While I’m personally not a big Instagram person, several of my friends are and I’ve always wondered how their pictures look so flawless. The answer lies in this multipurpose photo editing tool that can make collages, provide filters, paint over your pictures, crop pictures with cute shapes from hearts or stars, fit them in beautiful frames and so much more.

3. ReutersTV

If one of your goals for 2018 is to stay or become more educated with current news, ReutersTV has your back! ReutersTV offers some old-school news on your phone in the time it’ll take for you to get ready. If you’re looking to catch up as quickly as possible while rushing out the door, set your program length to 5 minutes and ReutersTV will filter out the most important national and international news in just 5 minutes. If you’re looking to take your time, you can set your program length to up to 30 minutes and let your news play in the background as you get ready.

2. Depop

Depop is perfect for college kids who want to look good while staying within their budget. Functioning as an online thrift-shop, students can buy any clothing, shoes or accessories from anywhere and have it delivered. To make some extra money, you can also sell clothes that you don’t want/need and make room in your closet for more!

1. HQ

Also known as the app that your best friend, brother, mother and (probably) neighbor’s dog all have. HQ is one of the most talked-about apps at the moment and it’s all for good reason! HQ is a great way to hang out with friends and collectively answer some bizarre Trivia questions to learn more about “which of the following may or may not be an animal.” If you’re lucky, you can even win $10,000! So the next time you’re ready to take a break, gather up some friends to win a few extra bucks that will help fund your frequent trips to Nama Sushi!

Have fun and happy exploring!

Why I March Photo Series

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On January 20, 2018, over 15,000 men and women crowded the streets of downtown Nashville for the city’s second annual Women’s March. The march began at Public Square Park and ended at Bicentennial Mall with an empowering rally. Amongst the crowd were several Vanderbilt University students, including yours truly. 

On a beautiful Saturday morning, a group of Vanderbilt Freshmen came together to attend the Women’s March 2.0 downtown. Initially, the group started with two girls and slowly grew. We came together to create signs and venture out of the infamous “vanderbubble”. As young women, many of us felt the urge to stand up for women’s rights and have our voices heard. With such a strong sense of community on the Vanderbilt Commons, all of us were able to join together and empower one another. 

Bus ride with other activists who cheered us on.

Our day began with a short bus ride to Public Square Park. As we loaded the bus, several other activists on the bus cheered for us. They were so proud to see young students fighting for a cause.

Crowded streets near Public Square Park.

When we arrived at the march, thousands of men and women lined the streets. Everyone gathered to hear speakers perform poetry, music, and speeches that empowered the community. 

I saw signs supporting almost every cause including the impeachment of President Donald Trump, immigrant rights, LGBTQ rights, civil rights, disability rights, and health care access. Many people carried signs with statements like “women’s rights are human rights” and “anything you can do, I can do bleeding”.

So, why do we march?

Amira Vivrette

“Maya Angelou once said, ‘Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.’ I stand up for all women’s rights and I march for all oppressed women who cannot use their voice.” – Amira Vivrette

 

Karrie Raymond

“The march was an amazing experience. I am glad that I was able to share that experience with so many individuals of different ages and backgrounds. It was a beautiful showcase of our intersectionality and our diversity that I was happy to embrace.” – Karrie Raymond

 

Nnenna Nwaezeapu

“I created my sign because the feminist movement has always been geared towards white feminists. During the suffrage movement, Susan B. Anthony was racist. From then on, the movement has been about white women. The issues and problems that minority women and white women face are vastly different. I believe it is important to recognize the intersectionality that should lie within the feminist movement.” – Nnenna Nwaezeapu

Maeva Makendi 

“It was an opportunity for me to take a stance on something I strongly believe in and be surrounded by like-minded women.” – Maeva Makendi

Interview with Band “The Business People”

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I recently had the opportunity to interview the Charlotte, NC based band The Business People. Hailing from my hometown, I was already a fan but it was great to see them play here in Nashville. Watch the interview to learn more about them, their amazing music and their quirky ways.