My Commons Life

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

Archives for September 2022

MCL Top 5: A Week in Review (Yik Yak Edition)

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You’ve heard of it and have most likely been peer-pressured to download one of the hottest apps for college students on campus right now—Yik Yak, a social media platform with a feed that features anonymous posts “yakked” from people in your local area. While many of the popular ones are a bit too weird and scandalous to be included in this article, we’ve filtered through the Yaks of the week to recap what’s been going on in the Vanderbubble:

1. The dreaded 🧪 gen chem exam 🧪 was the talk of Commons as all the pre-med students struggled in solidarity trying to study for Thursday night. We know you’ve seen the messages written in chalk between the walk from the bridge and Stevenson… it would’ve been more helpful to graffiti equations or whatever, but I guess it’s the thought that counts??

2. Sore topic. Enough said. Did we really want Bama, guys?? 🥲

3. It’s almost time for sweater and pumpkin spice latte weather! The walks to class in the mornings for the past few days have been perfect, but the afternoons always throw a wrench in the fashionista’s ambitious outfit plans for the entire day—see the girlies who are already wearing knit sweaters 🥵 Supposedly, it’s going to get chillier this week with lows in the high 40s and highs in the low-mid 70s though!

4. I had to balance out the HOD hate with some STEM slander 🙈 I’m sure you’ve already heard about the overexaggerated caricatures and assumptions people have about certain majors on campus… take them with a boulder-sized grain of salt if you must partake in the clownery of these two popular majors!

5. A lot of Yaks didn’t make it on here for obvious reasons, but here’s a wholesome and relatable one for all of us to reflect on 💛

MCL Top5: Gen Chem Exam Survival Items

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If you are anything like me and do not prioritize studying till the week of the test, here is the article for you. I’m not the best at chem and I am also taking bio this semester so I wouldn’t say that chem is my priority. I will say that I was having dreams about calculating work functions and kinetic energy (grind time 24/7). Since the first infamous gen chem exam is over and I can finally SLEEP PEACEFULLY…here are some things that I did to make sure I was prepared (sure…) for the test:

5. Coffee:

Yea… no sleep, just calculating de Broglie wavelength and memorizing whatever that guy Aufbau was saying about his principles (just a joke please sleep :). But can you guys stop going to Suzie’s, the lines are getting too long 🙁

4. Aktiv:

I never understood half of the aktiv questions in chem discussion…and I still don’t…but that’s not the point. Going back and actually making sure I knew what I was doing was what took up a majority of my time. 

3. Textbook:

Textbooks just… make sense. Sure they might be lengthy, but the textbook really breaks everything down and it was worth the time. Also all of the practice problems, even though they were time consuming, are WORTH. IT. I finally know who Aufbau is (perhaps a bit too late…but YAYYY!) 

2. Organic Chemistry Tutor:

Taking chem at 8 in the morning was really not the right move on my part (still love Dr.Todd). I thought I was a morning person but ahaha…I was lying to myself. He breaks stuff down and gives more practice problems (you can never have too much practice). The goat for real. Also I didn’t know how to use my calculator till like the day of. Why are we doing calculations

1. Practice Test:

Honestly life saver. Made the mistake of not taking the practice test on my first bio exam and when I saw my score I was like, “ Out of 100?!” In all seriousness though I could really tell my strengths and weaknesses so it did absolutely make a difference. I might even like…chem… a little… like in picometers little.

If I had started studying earlier I probably would not have started my coffee addiction (shoutout to Suzie’s much love). Also a tip from Dr.Clements, “Don’t live crisis to crisis.” Do I still live crisis to crisis? Duhhhhhh now I’m gonna continue to ignore my aktiv learning while I study for my bio exam next week. Until next time Dores, Anchor down and use your time wisely (unlike me hehe)! 

MCL Top 5 : Top 5 ways to prepare for fall at Vanderbilt

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This weekend October begins! I’ve been listening to “Wake Me Up When September Ends” and checking outside my window every morning to see if the leaves have begun to change color. While fall did officially start on September 22nd this year, it usually doesn’t feel like fall is in full swing until October. Below is a list of top five ways you can start to get in the fall spirit!

1. Go to a pumpkin patch

There’s nothing that says fall is here like a visit to a pumpkin patch! According to one of my friends who’s from Nashville, there are many cute pumpkin patch farms in the area where you can buy a small pumpkin to put on your dorm room desk.

2. Take a walk around campus

I’m already in awe of how beautiful Vanderbilt’s campus is but I cannot wait to see it when fall is truly here. I’m eagerly waiting for campus to look like the photos that Vanderbilt uses in all its brochures. There’s nothing better than noticing the leaves change color little by little as during the daily trek to main campus from commons. 

3. Go to a Vanderbilt football game

Attending a football game with friends is the perfect way to spend an October Saturday. Anchor down!!

4. Start planning your halloween costume(s)

I can’t wait for halloween this year! It takes time to put together a good costume, so it’s never too early to start thinking about it, especially if you want to do a fun coordinated costume with friends!

5. Make a halloween playlist

Making a halloween or fall themed playlist to listen to while you study or walk around campus is a great way to make sure you start fall 2022 on the right foot!

CommonsCast Episode 110-September 28, 2022

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On this week’s episode of the official podcast of The Commons, Alice sits down with Dean Gresalfi for another Q&A session, Linda delivers the weekly events in the Commons Calendar, and then pulls double duty as she joins Abbey for the Humans of the Commons interview segment.  

MCL Top 5 On and Off Campus Must Tries

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Dining hall food is sometimes a hit or miss. Off-campus spots can either be underwhelming or surprisingly tasty. Here are some random foods that I honestly think deserve a chance (even for picky-eaters).

5) Kissam Acai bowls



I made it a mission to try the Kissam acai bowls upon my arrival at Vanderbilt. The acai base is pretty decent and once covered with toppings, you’ve got yourself a solid study snack. Side note, I’m pretty sure the crunch of the granola helps keep me awake when studying in Stevenson library.
Santana’s tip: personally I like nutella on my acai bowls. Kissam doesn’t have Nutella as a topping, but it is available in the munchie mart. I’d consider purchasing nutella, honey, or other toppings from the Munchie Mart if you decide to be a consistent Kissam acai consumer. That way you can jazz up your bowls even more!

4) Rothschild burgers


If you’re craving a burger and don’t feel like venturing off-campus, Rothschild is your best bet. The burgers are well-seasoned, and the grill station offers a wide variety of toppings, including caramelized onions. Everyone I’ve recommended a Rothschild burger to has not been disappointed!

3) Commons Belgian Waffles


I really do enjoy Commons breakfast. However, some days I’m more enthusiastic than others. These days happen to be when the Belgian waffles are on the Commons menu. These small, edible masterpieces are honestly quite tasty. They’re sweet, soft, and I’d wish they were on the menu more often.
Santana’s tip: The waffles are already pretty sweet; I would try them without syrup first.

2) Hopdoddy’s Milkshake


This weekend, I tried Hopdoddy’s for the first time. To get the full experience, I felt obligated to order a vanilla milkshake with my burger and fries. I’m no milkshake expert, but Hopdoddy’s was very delicious, an easy 9/10. It was smooth, creamy, not too heavy or thick, and a perfect amount of sweet. Sipping my milkshake was a delightful experience and I’m definitely making it a weekly occasion.
Santana’s tip: If you’re not already dipping your fries and your milkshake, it’s not too late to get with the trend. My friends also really enjoyed the oreo milkshake, so maybe give that one a try as well!

1) The Baked Bear Warm Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches


The other day, I was craving a chocolate chip cookie vanilla ice cream sandwich (I know, oddly specific). My friends and I finally settled on the Baked Bear to satisfy my cravings. While it is quite a walk down 21st avenue, the large assortment of flavorful cookies and ice creams was well worth the hike. Definitely try the warmed cookie ice cream sandwich… I guarantee it won’t disappoint.
Santana’s tip: the ratio of ice cream to cookie was greatly uneven, I’d ask for less ice cream on the sandwich to achieve the perfect bite of ice cream and cookie.









CommonsCast Episode 109-September 21, 2022

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On this edition of the podcast Linda hosts Q&A with Dean Gresalfi, Anya delivers the details on upcoming events on campus in the calendar, and Daniela sits down with Yahir Brito, a first-year student from Presidio, Texas who lives in Gillette and plans on majoring in Medicine, Health, and Society.