Elizabeth Ebhogiaye

All good things must come to an end! I can not believe that our freshman year is practically over! I remember move-in day like it was yesterday: throwing all my Command Strip Hooks in the trash because they couldn’t hold up a single decoration. Going to Walmart with my parents to buy nails to push into the walls. (Shhhhhh…don’t tell OHARE!) Pushing my parents out of the dorm once we were done, and last but not least, looking forward to the new and exciting year ahead. With that being said…let’s take a walk down memory lane!

5. The newness of everything

When you live in a new place on your own for the first time away from your parents, your life changes! Plus, the people you are living with are also excited to make new friends, try new things, and find themselves without things from their past holding them back. It is the most liberating thing. There is nothing like it.

4. Commons itself

From the dining hall options to the many spaces to study, we were all so lucky to have a building like Commons right next door made specifically for us.

3. My Commons Life, duh!!!

Making content for you all has been a dream come true. I am so glad I joined the My Commons Life family when I did. I have received nothing but support from my fellow My Commons Lifers, and for that, I am extremely grateful.

2. Having upperclassmen ask me, “You’re a freshman?!?!?!”

It’s weird when people not that much older than you are surprised with the way you carry yourself. It’s like they expected us to act like children, hahaha! I guess it just proves that we are exceeding people’s expectations, so go us!

1. My dorm!!

My room has been my sanctuary from the storm. From my unbelievably soft bed (thank you mattress topper!), to my view of the Nashville skyline from outside my window, and my floormates who have now become some of my best friends, I AM GOING TO MISS THIS PLACE SO MUCH!

I can confidently say that this has been the best year of my life! Thank you all for making my freshman year one to remember, especially the rest of the My Commons Life family. I will never forget the memories we made together and the fun we had! Years in the future, I will look back on all of this with joy, humor, and fondness. *Thinks to self, “Wow, that was really poetic, Elizabeth!”*

Anyway, I will see EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU next fall! Happy Summer! (:

Love,

Elizabeth

Time to bring up those New Years’ resolutions again!

This time of the year for some people is Lent, which is a religious event in which you give up a temptation of yours for a specific amount of time in order to practice self-control and to spend more time doing other things in your daily life. Even if you are not religious, this practice is beneficial for the mental and emotional health of practically anybody. So here’s a challenge: give up a craving of yours for a week and see how you do! Read the following for some ideas on what to give up!

1. Sugar – For all my sweet-tooths out there, eat a salad. At the end of your fast, stop by Jeni’s and get all the ice cream pints to stock up in your fridge as you want. But for now, eat a salad. It’s healthier, and who knows? You might live longer. (;
2. Complaining – This idea is trageted at myself specifically. When things do not go my way, I complain about it. It’s just a natural response for me. However, I forget that things could be way worse than what they are now. I have a lot to be grateful for, and yet, I tend to take all of those things for granted. So, the next time I feel like complaining, I’m gonna tell someone (EX: my study buddy in Calc) or something (my weekly 2301 bowl) that I am thankful for their or its presence.
3. Coffee – Some people say they love coffee, but actually, they love the cream and sugar they ask for in their milkshake-like frappucinos. Anywho (sorry to rip into some of y’all), coffee is an addictive substance that can keep you awake but can also make you jittery and anxious. You’re better off skipping the daily morning drink, and… I don’t know, maybe GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP AT NIGHT?!?! Stop staying up ’til 4 am watching Tik Tok. Your body and brain will thank you when you can go to bed at 11 pm and wake up at 8 am every day consitstently.
4. Procrastinating – This may be the most difficult suggestion on the list simply because it is such an easy thing to do. If you have an assignment that is due in a week, are you going to start it now? NO! You’re gonna get on HBO, and wait two years for the 3rd season of Euphoria to come out. Well, maybe you can plan out your schedule, so that you have small goals to accomplish each day towards getting your work done. With this less stressful approach to studying and homework, you can beat that procrastination monkey to a pulp! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arj7oStGLkU)
5. Cursing – I respect your right to free speech, but cursing can be a bad habit. You do not want to be in the middle of an interview and accidentally drop your pen and instinctively yell out “@#$%!” That would significantly lower your chances of getting hired. I know, “YoU cAn’T hElP iT.” If you make it less of a habit, you’ll have better control of your language, and you’ll be less likely to slip up in inappropriate situations.

REMEMBER: Do not stress if you break your fast in less than a week! It’s okay! Be kind to yourself. You are trying. Trying takes effort. Putting in the effort proves that you are committed, and because of that, I’m proud of you! Go you!

Your #1 Cheerleader,

Elizabeth (:

Rand, EBI, and Commons all have one thing in common. No, it’s not the fact that they are dining halls. It’s the fact that they all have EXTREMELY long lines. Thankfully, there are a few semi-productive things you could do on your phone to make the time fly. I present to you: the Top 5 Mobile Games To Play While Waiting In Line!

5. Candy Crush Saga

Remember when people were addicted to this game? Seems like so long ago. This puzzle game is not only a good throwback: IT’S CHOCOLATELY!!!! It might even make you crave that Rand cookie even more, so be careful!

4. Subway Surfers

Jake, Tricky, Fresh, and all their friends took us on wild rides across train tracks, away from that cop whose face we never see. You get an adrenaline rush from virtually running from the law. Also, can we take a second to appreciate the diversity of the characters we get introduced to every time the game updates and the setting is changed to a new global city?

3. Wordscapes

Each day is a new day to play Wordscapes. Try and guess the five-letter word in under six tries. Here’s a tip from someone who has a 6-day winning streak *brushes shoulder off*: try and see which of the 5 vowels in the English alphabet MUST be in the word.

2. Sudoku

Sudoku is a wonderful way to pass time. Seriously, I was at the back of a long line at 2301 at 6:30 pm on a Wednesday. I played a hard Sudoku puzzle that took me 15 minutes to figure out, but when I finished, I looked up, and the lady behind the counter was telling me to grab a bowl and a sharpie because I was holding up the line. This game is like magic!

1. Flow Free

I kid you not: I play this game every day. This advanced connect the dots game is tremendously therapeutic. The pop sound you hear when you match the same colored dots together…OH MY GOODNESS. It’s music to my ears. Just hearing that sound shows signifies that I accomplished SOMETHING today. It’s a great feeling, but you have to experience it to fully understand it. Ya know?

Let me know in the comments down below what other mobile games should be added to this list. In the meantime, happy gaming!

There are certain songs that send a chill down your spine during the Spooky Season, but only in the BEST way possible. These five songs are sure to get you dancing like no one’s watching, even if it feels like someone is watching you…

5. “Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers

This 1960s hit proved to be a toe-tapper. This easy-listening tune will make you want to snap your fingers, do the Mashed Potato (if you even know what that dance move looks like), or even sing in your best “monster” voice.

4. “Calling All the Monsters” by China Anne McClain

If you watched Disney Channel in the early 2010s, you know this song. This kid-friendly club banger was LEGENDARY when it came out and it still holds up today. Thank you, China Anne McClain, for making Monstober on Disney Channel something to look forward to.

3. “Disturbia” by Rihanna

This headbanger is such a bop; prove me wrong. Rihanna’s creepy tone, the catchy melody, and the accompanying music video are too good to ignore. Plus, it’s a motivating song to work out to. Seriously, listen to this while doing that one workout you hate. You’ll surprise yourself with your physical capabilities.

2. “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.

Who you gon’ call? I would call my mother, personally, but everyone knows that famous line to this famous theme song for the 1980s film franchise hit, Ghostbusters. Also, the Just Dance routine to this song is SO much fun to do with your friends, or even strangers.

1. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson

Is anyone surprised by this? This song made Halloween. The jubliant instrumentals, the iconic vocalisms, the music video, oh my. All I can say is…it was a cultural reset.

Well, here’s how to get started with your Halloween playlist. There are plenty of spooky time bangers that were not mentioned in this list, so feel free to do your own exploring on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, or whatever you cool cats, ghouls, and goblins use to stream music!