Alaina and TaMyra discuss the struggles of balancing self-care with academics, friends, clubs, and the business of college life as they sort out the “self-care situation”.
MCL Top 5: Pieces of Advice for Concerts
Nashville is named “Music City” not only for its fame of country music, but also for its many amazing concerts that are held here each year. Most recently, Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Ray, SZA, Zach Bryan, and many more performed in the city or in its outskirts. After attending the Arctic Monkeys and Lana Del Ray concert, I have found a few tips on how to go about attending concerts as a college student.
5. Bring a portable charger.
Bringing a portable charger to a concert is a life-saving idea. Although I sadly forgot mine, I was able to use my friends! The chances of your phone being completely charged before the concert, especially if you went on an impulse, are not very high. Bring a portable charger to ensure that you can still take pictures and order your Uber at the end of the night!
4. Find a decent sized group to go with.
Going to a concert with a group will benefit you financially and also socially. It will lessen the amount of the uber, since you are all able to split the price. And, it will allow you to have a ton of fun. (Also remember, the more people, the more pictures) 🙂
3. Go to concerts with new friends!
I came with a new friend to both of the concerts I attended! Going to concerts with a new friend, or a new friend group, is a very great experience, as it allows you to meet someone new at the same time as seeing one of your favorite artists. I highly recommend finding a new friend to attend a concert with, as this was one of the highlights of my concert experiences!
2. Check multiple different websites for tickets.
When looking at concert tickets, do not only subject yourself to Ticketmaster. Not only are their prices higher, but their website also has many glitches, especially if tickets are high demand. Don’t be afraid to look at websites like SeatGeek, StubHub, and Vividseats to find cheaper tickets! I have used these websites to securely purchase tickets, and I would recommend you to do the same.
1. Buy your tickets last minute
I know the thought of impulse decisions can be a little scary, but trust me, going to concerts on an impulse made the experience much better. I purchased tickets for both concerts at the very last minute – one 5 hours prior and the other 1 hour prior. Not only did this make the concert much more exciting, but I also found amazing deals! Typically (but not always), concert tickets decrease the closer you get to the concert. For instance, the tickets I purchased for Lana Del Ray were only $26 dollars, while others paid much more when they purchased their tickets in advance. Although it is smart to purchase tickets in advance to ensure your spot, waiting until the last minute can also be exciting and offer cheaper prices!!
And these are your Top 5 Pieces of Advice for Concerts!!! I hope these were helpful and that you are able to attend a concert this school year!
MCL Top 5: Ways of Prioritizing Yourself
After being at Vanderbilt for nearly a month, it is very obvious that college is no joke. The chaos, deadlines, clubs, friends, etc., can be a lot to handle, and they can distract us from our self care. But, it is very important to care for yourself just as much as you care for your grades, friends, and clubs.
That being said, here are 5 ways to keep yourself grounded and cared for as you navigate the stresses of college!
5. Seek resources to help you!
If you haven’t already heard from orientation (which I am sure you have), Vanderbilt has plenty of resources available on campus that aid students in various areas. Personally, I have already visited the Writing Studio, and I thoroughly benefited from the aid they provided to me. Aside from the Writing Studio, students can also visit the Tutoring Center, the University Counseling Center, the Student Health Center, and more. I encourage all of you to take advantage of these resources, whether they are for classes, personal being, health, or whatever the case may be. Vanderbilt is here to help you, but it is essential to take the step of seeking the resources made available to you!
4. Contact your friends and family from home.
I know, I know…you may be sick of your parents calling and checking in you already. But, I assure you that they will come in handy during college. Having a parent to talk to, or any family member, can certainly ease the transition from high school to college. They may possibly know you better than you truly realize, and their comfort and advice will be of much use to you as you continue through college.
Not only are parents and family members valuable, but friends from home are as well. Texting or calling them, for even a short amount of time a week, can offer you a sense of comfortability that you may not have found on campus yet. They were there for you before you got to college, and they can certainly be there for you now! You may be dealing with the same stresses and emotions, and you can see that you are not alone in whatever you may be feeling.
3. Don’t lose your hobbies
We all had hobbies before we came to college, whether it was reading, making jewelry, baking, running, playing sports, etc. Although college is very busy, having and maintaining a hobby that you enjoy can make college feel much more like home. It is important to still do the things that you love, as they are a part of who you are! Try not to get so caught up that you stop doing the things you once cherished. Hobbies can serve as an outlet, a stress reliever, and just a fun activity for free time. Don’t lose your hobbies!
2. Don’t be afraid to say no!
Joining clubs, going out, partying, and everything else, can be so tempting, especially during your first year of college. But, it is important to understand your limits and prioritize your mental health. Try not to let FOMO influence you to do things that are uncomfortable and stressful to you. It is perfectly okay to say no! You do not have to participate in every activity that may come your way, and there is nothing wrong with that. Always remember that you and your mental health come first!
1. Have Reset Days
In my opinion, this is one of the most important ways to prioritize yourself during college. One day (or even a couple hours) out of your week, I would advise you to take a reset. This can take many different forms, but it is important to set aside time to have a self-check in. Whether you go on a walk, journal, do a face mask, take a nap, or watch a comfort TV show, having self care time is essential for maintaining your mental health as you deal with so many different stresses of school.
And these are the Top 5 Ways of Prioritizing Yourself during your time at Vanderbilt! I hope these were very helpful to you and that they can aid you in maintaining your mental health!
A Common Situation-“The First Month Situation”
Alaina & TaMyra discuss the lessons, challenges, and adventures they experienced in the first month of college, and they share their advice on how to continue to navigate through freshman year.
A Common Situation-Episode 3, “The Football Situation”
Alaina & TaMyra dig into the details of how you can best enjoy your first college football game on this episode as they discuss “the football situation”.
MCL Top 5: Pieces of Advice for Freshmen
Freshman year has quickly approached, and with that comes many uncertainties and a countless number of questions. Many of us are facing several emotions, such as nervousness, excitement, eagerness, and so much more. To help ease our adjustment, former MCL staff members – Esme Adotey, Abbey Woods, Eigen Escario, and Linda Xu— have offered several pieces of advice for incoming freshmen.
- Don’t expect to have “everything” friends. Appreciate certain friends for what they bring to the table. Don’t commit to an “everything” friend until you know more about yourself and what interests you.
2. Revisit your roommate agreement after you have lived with one another for a while and understand your ideal terms. Although you may have set expectations for you and your roommate, you may come to realize that expectations and reality will not always agree.
3. Find your personal balance for studying, sleeping, and socializing!! The earlier you figure it out, the easier it will be for you in the long run.
4. Stay open minded and never be afraid to meet new people. Also, always remember why you are here. You are here for an education!
5. Do not take a ton of classes at once!! Also, try not to take chem and bio together.
And these are the Top 5 Pieces of Advice for Freshmen! Special thanks to Esme, Abbey, Eigen, and Linda for their helpful advice 🙂