Archives for January 2023

February fourteenth is just around the corner. While some couples are happily looking forward to the day, excited to gift their fluffy Teddy Bears and sink their teeth into decadent chocolate covered strawberries, I’m anticipating a less fanciful celebration for the holiday of love. Due to my lack of a significant other, I know I won’t be waking up to a “Happy Valentine’s Day” text (except from my parents) or a colorful bouquet of flowers outside my door. Despite this fact, I’m perfectly satisfied. If you’re dreading this day because you’re single, let me tell you why you needn’t experience that “single on Valentine’s Day slump.”

First, you don’t have to worry about the complicated gifting process associated with Valentine’s Day. You won’t have to do mental gymnastics trying to think of the “perfect gift” for your significant other. This means no thirty minute CVS trip roaming the Valentine’s Day candy aisle only to purchase the pink Hershey Kisses you had initially picked out. Speaking of CVS, yes, you might still feel sickly seeing all of the Valentine’s Day decorations, but just think of that post-Valentines-Day sale you’ll have all the access to. February fifteenth CVS candy raid? Yes, please. For singles, this holiday is also an excellent way to practice self-love. All those gifts you would have given to your significant other? Gift them to yourself. Buy your own lifesize teddy bear you can hug and squeeze. Feast on some chocolate-covered strawberries as you watch 10 Things I Hate about You, or your favorite rom-com. Even gift yourself your own Valentine’s Day card. There are so many amazing things about you… it won’t hurt to write them down.

All said, this holiday for romance is no excuse to bring couples down for celebrating their love. Find peace in being single. Let’s not side-eye happy couples on the sidewalk or complain endlessly on your Snapchat private story. xoxo,

Santana Spearman

Listen, we all want to find our forever families in Greek Life. This Top 5 list will help give you more insight into the (intimidating) process!

#5: No, it’s not like ‘Bama Rush

I know all the tiktoks will make it seem otherwise, but Vandy’s rush is nowhere near as intense as larger SEC schools like Ole Miss or ‘Bama. There’s no judgements on your appearance or how much money you spent over recruitment. Vanderbilt doesn’t even use words like “pledges” or “rush” anymore. Instead, you’ll be a potential new member attending formal recruitment. Greek Life is to find a family, not to exclude others!

#4: You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe

This would have saved me so much time, energy, and stress to know! So recruitment is only two weekends long, and you’ll be wearing jeans half the time. Days one and two are spent wearing jeans, sneakers, and a Vandy t-shirt. Days three and four are get a little more formal, with sundresses and sweater dresses. By the time bid day rolls around, you’ll be back in jeans! However, formal recruitment is in the winter, so remember to layer and grab your coat.

#3: You will inevitably be dropped from some houses… and that’s okay!

Unfortunately, the process includes you having to drop houses, and houses having to drop you. On day one (display round), you will start out with going to nine houses. Day two (philanthropy round) you can have a MAXIMUM of seven houses. However, don’t worry if you have less than seven. I wish I was told that the average number of houses people receive on day two is 4 to 5. On day three (sisterhood round) you will be able to see a MAXIMUM of five houses, but don’t be worried if you have 3 to 4. Finally, on your last day, preference round, you can only see two houses. When houses drop you, because they have to, try to think about the houses that invited you back, rather than the ones that didn’t. Remember, the houses that invited you back chose your name out of their list of hundreds of girls to learn more about YOU!

#2: Come into recruitment with an open mind

All throughout recruitment we were told that if we were looking for a community of sisterhood, the panhellenic committee could guarantee we’d find it. But if we were looking for membership in a specific house, they could not guarantee we would find that. There will be houses that your friends will like that you won’t vibe with, and vise versa. That is completely normal, so please don’t base your preference off of your friend’s decision. And if you’re the only one in your friend group that is rushing, that’s even better. You won’t be biased towards anyone else’s pick!

#1: You’re finding the house that fits you, not trying to make yourself fit a certain house.

Look, there’s a reason Vanderbilt has nine different sorority houses. If every single house was the same, there would only be one house on campus. So if you feel yourself trying to change or act a certain way in one house, then that house isn’t for you. No hard feelings. It’s all about where you truly see yourself. During my recruitment I was told that sorority houses are kind of like shoes: there are some that are cute, but they may not fit you. You’re looking for the right fit! So, trust the process.

Hopefully this guide eases any nerves you may have about joining Greek Life. If all else fails, just be yourself! Good luck! –Abbey

#VanderbiltRush #VanderbiltGreekLife #Vandy #Vanderbilt #Rush

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Hi, my name is Santana, and I am a Stevenson Library enthusiast. Here is a piece showing my love for my most adored study spot on campus.

Dear Stevenson Library,

Throughout my first semester at Vanderbilt, you are the building I’ve become the most attached to. You should know that I have tried other libraries and study spots, but for some reason, I’m always drawn back to you. I’m not sure if its the overwhelming sense of productivity you make me feel, your peaceful silence that propels me into a perfect focus, or your highly academic environment that makes my cognitive function go crazy… whatever it is, you are irresistible. I can’t picture my Vanderbilt experience without you. I need you. There’s this intense and emotional connection I feel between the two of us, which is why I’m able to spend hours studying in your presence. While some might be unsettled by your “bit too serious” nature, I am instantly submerged in a studious and scholastic state of mind once I walk through your doors. You manage to complement my study aesthetic perfectly: your glass windows bath my study materials in the warm sunlight, making my homework seem inviting instead of annoying. Your light brown tables create the perfect color contrast with my bright blue Hydroflask and mint green iPad case. As you can see, I am obsessed with every bit of you.

love, Santana