My Commons Life

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

Abbey Woods

MCL Feature: The Student Walkout, My Experience

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Though my voice is now raspy and my legs are tired, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

As a Vanderbilt student, I was honestly scared that my professor or classmates would judge me for walking out. I had heard of “performance activism” where people post or show their activism for their own social gain, rather than to help a cause. I was afraid that walking out of my class would appear as performance activism, because it felt so theatrical.

I pictured my professor barely getting into his lesson that he prepared for the day, only to be interrupted by me standing up in front of the class and leaving. Like the goody-two-shoes I am, I even asked my professor for permission to leave the class. Ironic, right?

My fears were instantly disproven when talking to more professors and classmates. To my surprise, many professors, including my own, cancelled their classes even before the walkout started out of support. From the professors I spoke to, many even claimed that they hoped students would walk out of their class.

Marching to the capitol, I felt scared yet inspired. To be fully honest, I wasn’t scared of getting arrested. I was scared that someone would come with a gun. I was scared that this anti-gun protest would spark something in a gun owner’s mind, and give them the power of turning a peaceful situation into a violent one.

Thankfully, the protest was safe and felt powerful. Running into my classmates, floor-mates, and sorority sisters truly made me realize how important the issue of gun control is to my community. It made me feel like I wasn’t alone in my fears. It gave me hope for future policy.

There was even a Vanderbilt professor speaking to the crowd!

Ultimately, a year from now, I think I would have forgotten exactly what I learned about in class on Monday. But I definitely will not forget about his protest. Chanting with people, demanding change, and reading the sad, yet true signs everyone brought will stick with me forever. I hope that this protest riled up people enough to create a change in the system of gun violence in schools.

CommonsCast Episode 129-April 5, 2023

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On this edition of the podcast Abbey asks the questions and Dean Gresalfi provides the answers in the Q&A segment, Linda has the details about events coming up on campus this week in the Commons Calendar, and then Abbey turns the tables on Eigen and brings him in for the Human of the Commons interview.  Eigen is a first-year student from Birmingham, Alabama who is majoring in HOD and Computer Science and he lives in Crawford.  

A Break-Up Letter to My High School Self

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As I’m growing older and moving farther away from my past self, I feel like I need some closure with the girl that got me from age fourteen to eighteen. She did me well, and she’ll always be a friend of mine. But for moving forward, we won’t be together. It’s for the best.

Dear high school self,

You did well, I’ll start with that. On the surface, you were fully in control. You seemed to have the perfect life: you loved school, succeeded at anything you put your mind to, and were always talking to someone new. Looking back with rose-tinted glasses, sometimes I get jealous of you. But deep down, I know nothing was ever enough for you. Sometimes I wonder if I’m enough to you. Behind each smile, you were thinking of ways of how to improve and trying to hide everything you hated about yourself.

I want you to know that you’re beautiful. Part of the reason why we’re breaking up is because of that. I’m tired of looking at photos of you and comparing you to myself. I’m tired of competing with you. As I’ve gotten older, I have grown away from you. I hate constantly being reminded of that. It shouldn’t be an insult to not look like you. I’m different from you now.

I’m not walking away from you because you did anything wrong. I’m leaving you because the longer I stay with you, the more I won’t be able to accept my new self. All I’ll be able to do is be insecure about how different we look from each other.

Even though I’m leaving you, I want to say thank you. I wouldn’t be at my dream school if it wasn’t for you. You worked hard for me. That being said, we’ve outgrown each other.

Even though I’m leaving you, I don’t want to be sad. I’m welcoming in someone new into my life. She’s got some similarities with you, but don’t be fooled… she’s a completely new woman.

She’s been camera shy lately, because she’s scared she won’t be as pretty as you. She was afraid she wouldn’t have as many friends as you. She was hoping she could be close to as happy as you were.

But she doesn’t deserve to be in hiding anymore. Though it took some time, she is happier than you were. She’s met new people and learned so many amazing things. I know you would be proud of her.

I would like to formally introduce you to my college self. She’s more confident in herself, has so many new stories, and when she speaks up, she demands to be heard.

Like I said, she’s a whole new woman. So I’ll have to say goodbye to you in order to fully welcome her (I hope you can understand). For now, you’ll still be a friend. And I can assure you, it’s not me it’s you.

Thanks for everything,

Abbey

MCL News Minute-March 8, 2023

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Abbey has the details on events coming up this week and immediately after the break, including a Safe Spring Break Trivia Night, a Feminism 101 event, and a post-break Women’s History Month grab and go lunch.

MCL Top 5: Reasons Why Spring Semester is Harder than Fall

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When returning to Vanderbilt after Christmas break, I thought only I noticed that the air felt different here. Turns out many students and faculty agree that spring semester is much harder than fall semester. Let’s explore my theories as to why…

#1: The Tours

With spring semester, comes all the new high school seniors that were accepted to Vanderbilt. Wait, that was just me? Something about the tours of accepted students really makes it set in that we’re closer to our sophomore year of college than we are to our senior year of high school. This scares me, because soon we won’t be seen as the little first years anymore!

#2: The Weather

The weather is such an underrated blockade to productivity. Either it’s cold, cloudy, and rainy, making us not want to walk halfway across campus at 9am and get soaked, or it’s beautiful outside, and while some are throwing frisbees on alumni lawn, you’re stuck inside studying for midterms or writing papers.

#3: The motivation

I’ve had this conversation in my head for about two weeks now:

“It’s almost March, and then it’ll be April, and then we only have finals in May… so we’re basically almost finished with school”

I learned I’m not the only one having these thoughts. Spring semester’s motivation is blinded by the idea that summer break has already arrived.

#4: The “Newness” has Worn Off

At the beginning of fall semester, we were all “bright-eyed and bushy tailed”… still full the with excitement that many of us are currently at our dream school. It seemed that we took every opportunity we had to meet new people. But now, we’ve already gotten into a routine, and as excited as we were to finally get to Vanderbilt, we’re now equally excited to exit our routine and return home.

#5: The Dreaded Goodbyes

Somehow, as much as we want summer to approach us faster, that there will be a class of seniors leaving us, that (at least I) am not ready to say goodbye to. Even as first years, many of us have great connections to seniors that feel like they’ve lasted a lifetime. When summer finally comes around, we will have to say goodbye to their guidance, perspectives, and comfort that made being a first year a little easier.

On the Bright Side

Now, I don’t want to write an article that doesn’t end on a good note! Even though spring semester comes with all of the struggles mentioned above, it shouldn’t stop us from enjoying ourselves. Despite our struggles, I see spring semester as an opportunity to get through the harsh times as a Vanderbilt community: we can inspire each other, motivate each other, and create new friendships. After all, we’ve learned that we’re all going through some similar struggles now.

MCL Top 5: Reasons the Commons Ball is More Than Your High School Prom

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To compare the Commons Ball to prom would just be a gross understatement.

#5: The Food

The food alone is a reason to attend the Commons Ball. I can’t think of anyone’s prom that had tables full of charcuterie items, shrimp cocktail tables with literal ice sculptures, steak, tiramisu, and towers of desserts, to name a few. Anyone that was hungry and wanted a great dinner for no meal swipes was welcome to come in.

#4: The “bar”

In one room of the ball, there was a “bar” serving mocktails all evening! This wasn’t just typical Shirley Temples either, there was sparkling cider served in Champagne flutes and several different mixed (mock) drinks we could try. After all, it was all in the name of good fun.

#3: The Activities

There were so many things for us to do! The theme of the ball was Masquerade, and there were so many ways this was carried throughout the night. There was a mask decorating station, stations caricatures, a mechanical bull, two photo booths (one with a camera that gave a 360° view), a silent disco, and of course a DJ and dance floor! Personally, I loved taking pictures with my friends with my mocktail in one hand, and my mask in the other.

#2: The Choreography

Do you remember the Yule Ball from the Harry Potter movies? The Hogwarts school was transformed and a choreographed dance was performed by the most important characters, where all the other students watched. That was basically the vibe I caught when I saw all of our house Presidents performing their choreographed dance. Watching the performance is especially fun when your friends are house officers!

#1: Your College Friends

This is the main thing that your high school prom didn’t have! The Commons Ball was a great way to get dressed up with your college friends and have an amazing night. Instead of looking back at just high school dances, we can now look back at the Commons Ball with our new friends.

Top 5: Things I Wish I Knew Before Vanderbilt Formal Recruitment

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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

Top 5 Best Christmas Activities in Nashville

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Hey y’all! Are we southern enough to say that yet? Well it’s Abbey, and this Christmas season, I’m going to show everyone how to get into the Christmas spirit– Nashville style, of course.

#5: Music City Christmas

This is a music city tradition! For all you performance lovers, the Nashville Symphony puts on a one-of-a-kind experience at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, only ten minutes from the commons! So if you’re still in town on December 18th, you can come to see dancing, Broadway singers, and special guests — including Santa Claus himself! Tickets are a bit pricey, so if you’re unable to attend, I still have four more events for you!

#4: Visit Savannah’s Candy Kitchen

Now what would this list be if I didn’t tell you where you could live out your Candy Cane Lane dreams. Savannah’s Candy Kitchen is only ten minutes away from the Commons, so if you’re looking for the perfect way to reward yourself after finals… this is the place.

#3: Holiday Lights at Cheekwood

The Holiday Lights at Cheekwood features gorgeous light displays along a one-mile walking path that sets the gardens aglow. With sparkling interactive features, s’mores and bar stations, and a 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the bedecked historic mansion Holiday Lights is a stop you’ll want to see. Though this place is about a 20 minute drive away from the Commons, there are also discounted admission just for college students! Just pitch in for the Uber fare with your friends and make some awesome memories.

#2: Try a New Flavor from Jeni’s

By now, you’ve probably heard of the famous Jeni’s ice cream shop. To get you into the Christmas spirit, Jeni’s is offering limited time flavors such as white chocolate peppermint, Mexican hot chocolate, pistachio macaron, and cranberry crumble; perfect for the holidays! Jeni’s is only a ten minute walk from the Commons, and you can use your Commodore Cash there! If you’re having trouble finding me after my economics final, just go to the Jeni’s and you’ll catch me with a pint of that white chocolate peppermint.

#1: Go Ice Skating at Enchant

Enchant is truly the place to be if you want to live out all of your Hallmark Christmas movie dreams. This place is literally presented by Hallmark, and if that doesn’t scream Christmas magic, I don’t know what does. There’s something for everyone here. If you’re not into ice skating, you can walk through the world’s largest Christmas maze, see live entertainment, do some cute shopping, and meet Santa in all his glory.

Final Thoughts:

I know finals are stressful, so remember to practice self-care. Hey, maybe by giving yourself a break and visiting one of these places. Whether you’re going home for winter break or staying on campus, I hope you have a very, merry Christmas and a happy holiday.

MCL News Minute-November 9, 2022

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Abbey delivers the info you need about events coming up on campus this week, including a mixer for international students, events to celebrate first-generation appreciation week, and the Commons Mix-Up Tacky Prom.