Happy first day of the 2022-23 school year!!! To all the new students on campus this year, welcome! While move-in and orientation may have been a tad stressful, my hope is that this list of essentials will help ease your nerves about the upcoming school year and make your life a bit easier at Vandy.
- Commodore Card
First thing’s first, the Commodore Card is your Vanderbilt student ID. This is required for entrance to all residence halls and most buildings and elevators. It will also give you admission to sporting events and the Rec Center. Most importantly, the Commodore Card is where your meal plan money and Commodore Cash is stored. One meal plan swipe will allow you to eat any on-campus dining hall and even some participating locations around campus. Depending on the dining hall, dining options range from buffet-style to entree and side meals. Commodore Cash can be used in the Vandy bookstore and at all on-campus printers (printers can only be used with Commodore Cash). Keep this card in a safe place because replacement cards will cost you $25. The most convenient way to carry your card is on your phone. Download the Get app by following the instructions found under Card Services and you will be able to access your card, check balances, and replenish funds through the app.
- Room Key
Next up, your room key. Always remember to lock your door when you leave your room. Your key is the only way to get into your room so keep it with you at all times. It is recommended that you carry your room key separate from your Commodore Card for safety. If you lose your key, you will be fined a $75 replacement fee to change the locks on your door as well.
- Proper Apparel
Vandy is a super walkable campus so good walking shoes are a must. It is very green in Nashville which means rain! Having a go-to rain jacket or umbrella will make your life exponentially easier. Also, you can find a complimentary Vandy umbrella in the backpacks found in your rooms. The sun shines big and bright so, if you’d like, sunglasses and hats can not only be a fantastic fashion statement but also help protect you from UV rays.
- Water Bottle
It can get hot hot hot and with all the walking we do on campus, another essential is a reusable water bottle. Staying hydrated is made easy with plenty of water fountains located all around campus. The Hydrodore is a water-delivery service students can subscribe to that delivers fresh water to students’ dorms. For more info about Hydrodore subscriptions, visit hydrodore.org.
- Bug Spray
With optimal conditions for mosquitoes to breed, high humidity, standing puddles of water, and lots of trees for shade, Nashville, Tennessee is one of the top cities with mosquito problems in the United States. If you are like me and mosquitoes love feasting on you, bug spray will quickly become your best friend. If you are one of the lucky few who have not been bothered by these pesky bugs, having some bug spray handy is a great way to make new friends.
Hope this list eases some anxieties as classes begin. Stay tuned for more MCL Top 5’s and don’t forget to anchor down!