My Commons Life

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

Archives for March 2018

Professor Spotlight: Interview with Professor Buckles

by

If you are a Vanderbilt student, there is no way that you don’t know Professor Stephen Buckles, who is in charge of teaching the Introduction to Macroeconomics and Introduction to Microeconomics class as well as other higher-level classes of Economics. He is one of the most outstanding, knowledgeable and respected professors on campus. His enthusiasm for the subject and the humor that he brings into every lecture create a lively interaction between students and professor. If you are planning to major in Economics or finding a class to fulfill AXLE: Social and Behaviorial Sciences, his classes are highly recommended. It is guaranteed that you will never regret taking a class with Professor Buckles and it may be one of the most unforgettable yet challenging moments of your college career.

Top 5 Retro Nashville Location to Blast You to the Past

by

5. The Hip Zipper

https://www.hipzipper.com/

Hip Zipper is a slightly more reasonably priced vintage shop which offers an even wider variety of dated clothing. From Bowie-esque sunglasses to floral overalls and daredevil onesies, this critically acclaimed shop offers a surprise in every corner.

4. Brentwood Skate Center

http://brentwood.skatecenter.comWant to reconnect with your parents jiving generation while speeding uncontrollably down colorfully lit dance floor? Then Brentwood roller skating rink is for you! Engage in an activity which has spanned decades of American cultural history while feeling like a little kid just 15 minutes from campus.

3. Robert’s Western World

HOME

Looking for a true old-timey nashville feel? Go to Robert’s Western World and get an authentic country experience. If you want to go, schedule your trip for an afternoon since the doors close at 6pm for anyone under 21! Still, with no cover, this place place is a hidden gem to newbies on the Nashville scene.

2. Smack

https://www.facebook.com/smackclothing/

Smack is a local 70s and 80s vintage store with an overwhelming amount of style and sequins. Although pricey, if you’re willing to spend a little extra you can get all the roller skating outfits, neon jackets and bedazzled bras you want. Still, if you’re like me, you might just roam through this museum-like store in awe instead.

1. The Soda Shop

http://thesodaparlor.com/

Located in Five Points Nashville, the Soda Parlor offers a vintage soda parlor experience with the modern twist of being in a mason jar. Besides sweet creamy drinks, the parlor offers small batch sodas and a variety of (free) vintage arcade games to play.

Humans of the Commons: Karrie Raymond

by

Karrie Raymond is a Haitian-American freshman. She is from South Florida, where the population is very diverse and rich with culture. She is extremely passionate about helping people and building a more inclusive community. Stick around and read more about Karrie!

What is your major?

I am on the pre-med track, double majoring in Medicine, Health, and Society and Child Development with a minor in Women and Gender Studies.

I chose these majors because I want to do pediatric research and I feel like MHS and Child Development will provide me with the scaffolding to really do those things. Also, you can’t have children without women. But overall, I would like to enrich my understanding and I’m a feminist so I believe it is necessary to be more inclusive when it comes to women, especially women of color.

What are you involved in on campus?

I am involved with Rand Dining, Vanderbilt Students Volunteer for Science (VSVS), Caribbean Student Association, and myself because self-love is important!

What is your favorite class so far?

My favorite course has been Existential Philosophy with Professor Sandy Skene. It’s about existence and it has taught me so much about myself and my identity. It has helped me come to terms with my self-esteem and identity issues. My professor allowed us to have discussions with the reading and provided an open space for us to say anything.

We talk about such a wide range of perspectives. Professor Skene was never biased. She showed us several different viewpoints and I was not expecting her to branch out and show us black existentialists but she showed us that, too. I appreciated that she had an entire section devoted to teaching students about them.

What are your goals for the future?

My number one goal is to be on the show Survivor. In the future, I am striving to have my own talk show. My talk show is going to have sass like Wendy, but class like Oprah. Also, I hope to travel with NGO’s to do research and help women and children around the globe.

Video: My Experience in Cafe Con Leche As a First-Year

by

As my last semester as a first-year student comes to an end, I’ve had the pleasure of participating in the Vanderbilt Association of Hispanic Students’ annual Cafe con Leche dance showcase. I’ve never danced before (other than the ballroom dance classes I took in high school to fulfill my Physical Education requirement) but I figured why not?

It was a truly rewarding experience to learn from my amazing choreographers Shelby Hughes and Francisco Munguia, but perhaps the best part was making friends that I might not have made otherwise. Being able to perform after months of practice was an irreplaceable feeling and I would do it again every year.

It’s hard to describe my experience in words, so perhaps this video can help. After all, if a picture speaks a thousand words, how many words can a video speak?

 

 

Top 5: Things to Do at the Wond’ry

by

The Wond’ry is a place of dreams and creativity for anyone who has ever had an innovative idea. A common stigma around the Wond’ry is that it is specifically a space only for engineers or engineering students (which might be because it’s located where the Science and Engineering Building is), but it is actually a widely untapped resource for all students and faculty.

Here are some ways you can use the building to your advantage, whether it’s to create something great and prosperous or just to study and get through your exams.

5. Take academic courses at the Wond’ry

The Wond’ry offers academic courses from the common introductory HOD 1250 for HOD majors/minors to courses on Virtual Reality and “How to Make (Almost) Anything,” which involves using CAD software, 3D printers, sewing machines and more. The “How to Make (Almost) Anything” course is offered to sophomores and juniors only so as this year comes to an end, be sure to sign up for the course if you’re interested!

4. Take classes/workshops on making almost anything

The Wond’ry’s Makerspace comes with all the equipment you can imagine, from 3D printers to sewing machines. And if you don’t know how to operate them, the Wond’ry has classes and student mentors! These hands-on workshops go from Casting and Molding, introductory sewing, and even Photoshop.

To sign up, go to: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/thewondry/upcomingevents/

3. Office hours with real professionals

The Wond’ry has a diverse group of mentors who have “made it” in Nashville. They range from CEOs and founders of major corporations in Nashville to successful attorneys and Vanderbilt professors. These mentors have real world experience and are more than willing to give advice and share their stories when you email them or come to their office hours, which are usually once a month!

To check out the Wond’ry’s group of mentors, go to: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/thewondry/mentors/

2. Study!

I’m almost a little hesitant to write about the Wond’ry’s awesome study spots for the fear that they will all be used now. The Wond’ry has chic new desks and chairs and their very own one-person studying pods. Students can lie down on these pods to study or even to take a nap and move the desk closer or farther away from them. These pods not only have perfect leg room, but all the glass and windows surrounding the Wond’ry allow the natural sunlight to come through and keep you awake.

1. Putting your dreams and ideas into action.

If you’ve ever had a crazy idea, the Wond’ry might just be able to make it come to fruition. In particular, the Wond’ry offers Pre-Launch and Post-Launch classes for aspiring entrepreneurs. The Pre-Launch program is for students who have just come up with an idea and would like to see what it takes to make it into reality. The Post-Launch program is for students whose ideas are already “launched” and would like to learn how to take their company/organization/idea even farther.

These programs are usually offered once a semester, so if you come up with a fabulous idea over the summer, be sure to look for these opportunities in the next school year!