Once upon a time, I wrote down a quote from my dad in my Notes app. That was in 2022, and the list kept growing from there. My dad is always the person I turn to for the best advice. So I thought I’d put some of it out there!

Some of the quotes don’t make any sense without the context. Still, this is mostly an appreciation post for my dad, who I miss because I haven’t seen him in more than four months!

Still, without further ado, these are the best quotes from Papa Balhara that I still look back on when I need a piece of wisdom.

On Academics

“You are very worried. -Me
“Yes, worrying is the way to go” -Him

“If you are the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.”

“Choose anything that you really love … evaluate it on what you love within philosophy.”

On Dating

“Do not let someone tell you who you are. Only you know who you are, and enact yourself through action.”

“You got out of a major accident.”

“I think Chelsea is a good guide. The moral of the story is Chelsea is a good guide.”

“It’s only when you’re getting pushed with life, that your true nature comes out.”

“They have to value your qualities. And the people who value your qualities are the people who have been through some similar experience.”

“Have the mental capacity to not reply.”

“If a dog barks, don’t bark back.”

On Happiness

My dad always equates happiness with ‘contentment’

“Don’t trade anything for your contentment.”

“Don’t make contentment conditional.”

“The only thing that gives happiness is a moment of contentment.”

“One expectation in life, [is that] everything will become fine. Everything is not in your perfect control. If you have that one single expectation, it does not matter the story of the day; everything can be solved. You will not be so annoyed.”

On Difficult People

“If a scientist ignores evidence, it is fault of the scientist. It is the blame of the scientist. You cannot have every evidence in front of you and ignore it. We believe in the goodness of human heart and find it painful when someone is not of good heart. So we hope and hope and give people all sort of excuses, but we have to ultimately look at the evidence. Nobody should hurt you.”

“If you have a fight with one person, solve the problem with that one person. Do not involve someone else. It doesn’t solve any situation. You involve the third person; how would it help you? Unless the person is abusing you. Have confidence that you can solve the problem on your own.”

“It is very easy to hurt people. To criticize people. But it is very hard to help them.”

“You cannot let your own future be changed.”

On Balance

“If you have a few bad trees, don’t burn down the whole forest.”

“Never get hassled by both greed or aversion.”

His Best One

“You can create greatness anywhere.”

In conclusion, my dad, the greatest of all time, has a gift for saying deep things. These are the ones I thought to write down, but there’s tons more philosophy that he has distributed to me throughout my adolescence and up til the day you’re reading this.

Love you, Papa!

Until next time … peace!

Exploring Nashville’s culinary scene is a rite of passage for many newcomers, and for freshmen, Hillsboro is often the most convenient place to explore new restaurants.

Today we’re rating the menu of Urban Juicer, a shop with juices, smoothies, açaí bowls, and a variety of other food. Because I always get asked this – yes, it’s on the Taste of Nashville plan.

Now let’s see what they have to offer! Come with Ian Hansen, Chelsea Liebenthal, Lauren Lamson, Lina, and I over the course of many, many months of freshmen year, to see how we rated their menu.

Shots

#1 – Wheatgrass shot

Chelsea- 2/10 It tasted like pure grass (even though I was eating grass). Not a pleasant taste, and not enough for the money.

Maria- 7/10 Wheatgrass tastes sweet to me, so I’m totally fine with this. I used to order it a lot more in the beginning of the school year when I was struggling with balanced eating on campus. It’s also supposed to boost immunity. My only qualm is the size for the money. Give us more, Urban Juicer!

#2 Pure Ginger Shot

Chelsea- 2/10 I did this for my health, not my taste buds. Absolutely horrible burning sensation, and it made me gag.

Maria- I can in fact, confirm, that Chelsea struggled to get this down. She also uses this incident against me to this day. Sorry Chelsea.

Juices and Coffee

#1- The Liver Lover

Maria- 10/10 You can do with ordering half the amount of apple on this one. It’s still plenty sweet because of beets’ natural sweetness. One of my favorites at the end of first semester. Good for cardiovascular health!

#2 The Well Being

Maria- 10/10 A really solid choice when you plate hasn’t seen a vegetable in the last week. It immediately makes you feel better. I don’t think I needed the 21 ounce though; I’d get the 16 next time.

#3 Iced Caramel Cold Brew Latte

Lina- 7/10 It was good, but I probably wouldn’t get it again. There are better options out there.

#4 The Mood Lifter

Maria- 0/10 Absolutely not. I disliked this enough to get a refund. Color was a little off putting, and no trace of orange in this.

Smoothies

#1- Liquid Lunch

Maria- 12/10 I wish I had known about this since August. If you are in the mood for something hearty or you’re addicted to peanut butter like me, this is perfect. Bonus points to Urban Juicer for giving us large when we paid for small. We needed it :O

Chelsea- 10/10 A very simple yet filling smoothie. Gave me energy to continue my work, and tasted great.

#2 Raspberry Buzz

Maria- 10/10 I could have sworn there were blueberries in this. It definitely tastes and looks like there are! Regardless, I could drink this every day. So good, and the chocolate whey is awesome.

#3- The After Glow

Maria- 10/10 I love the strong ginger taste in this. So good that I ordered 2. Chelsea calls this ‘radioactive,’ but don’t let its bright orange hue deter you.

**Note- As of publication, they removed this from the menu. But you can still ask for it.

#4 The Strawbana

Maria- 8/10 This is the most basic smoothie flavor profile, but it never fails. The coconut milk makes it more tropical and refreshing, and I didn’t miss the agave. I’ve had this twice so far, and am definitely getting it again.

#5 The Well-Being

I was teased for weeks by Ian for my lackluster efforts at finishing this review, so eventually he was forced to come with me and help out. We appreciate you, Ian!

Ian- 6/10 Very refreshing. If the smell of grass was a taste, this smoothie has it. Honestly, not too bad though. I kind of enjoyed it. Made me feel refreshed and energized.

Maria- Ahh, I remember this smoothie from literally… September. It tastes like a very appropriate drink for the beach. Don’t ask me questions.

Food

#1- The Urban Veggie Wrap

Maria- 10/10 Vegetarian go-to at Urban juicer. With hummus, avocado, and feta cheese to distract you from the veggies, it’s a good choice when you need a break from indulgent food. I added fried egg to it once, on the right.

I eat this almost every time I’m here.

#2 Pesto Chicken Flatbread

Chelsea- 8/10 The pesto could have had a stronger flavor and they put a little too much balsamic as well. The chicken was well-cooked and the flavors were complex. The crust was really good.

Maria- 9/10 After seeing Chelsea munching on her pizza, I had to get some (no balsamic). Completely reversed my mood from that awful grapefruit juice. A winner in my book, and a pretty filling lunch!

#3 Mediterranean Veggie Flatbread

Maria- 8/10 I vowed for weeks (weeks!) to try this flatbread for the review. It’s nice to have a vegetarian option, but you can add chicken to it. At first I wasn’t into the lemon aioli, but it grew on me. 100% getting this again.

#4 Chipotle Chicken and Bacon Flatbread

Lina- 7/10 I liked it, but the sauce was too much. There are probably better pizza options in Nashville, but at least this has cauliflower crust!

#5 Vegan Energy Bites

Maria- 6/10 Munchie Mart should stock energy bites like these. They’re tasty and you can be convinced they’re healthy. That being said, I know I can make better than these. They’re too heavy on the agave and I’d use darker chocolate.

#6- Almond Butter Bowl

Lauren- 5/10 The toppings were generous, and the textures were varied between the almond butter, banana, and cacao nibs. Although I rarely eat açaí, I was disappointed by the bowl I got. It was icy and flavorless.

#7 Avocado Toast:

Chelsea- 6.5/10 The flavors aren’t balanced. The sprouts on top do not complement the flavor of the bread and avocado. Also, the tomatoes are mushy.

Note from Maria- 7/10 In their defense, the avocado toast did not look this lackluster when I had it a few weeks ago. When I had it, I added egg and it was weirdly sweet. The wrap is better.

---

We hope this review article was interesting! If you enjoyed reading this Urban Juicer review, let us know you’d like to see more content like this. Follow us on Instagram and check your weekly MCL emails to catch our next restaurant review.

Also, please try the banana peanut butter smoothie. You’ll thank us.

Until next time … peace!

On a recent hunt for bagel sandwiches, other equally bagel-oriented freshmen and I stumbled upon Nashville’s newest Benji’s Bagels, which opened in January 2024. With other popular bagel shops near campus, like Proper Bagel, we wondered if Benji’s could be the secret to a more delicious breakfast.

Shortly after their opening, news outlets like The Tennessean and Channel 5 Nashville covered the story of their opening and revealed that wait times to get your hands on a bagel were through the roof.

We hoped after the trek over to Charlotte Park, we would be content with our choice. At least the weather was good!

Immediately, the baked goods caught our eye. They had a selection of muffins, cake, and even hamantaschen!

Now, I’d like to excuse myself for the quality of these photos, because I forgot to take better ones both times we were there. Sue me!

This was the spread the first time we went. Chelsea got an iced vanilla latte, a hamantaschen, and “The New Yorker” bagel sandwich on Everything. I got a salted chocolate chip cookie and “The Albanian” sandwich on a Cheddar bagel.

I made a few changes like no prosciutto, added tomato, over hard egg, and extra arugula the first time around.

Chelsea loves burrata cheese, so she got that on the side. I obviously snatched some of hers; it’s called the friend tax.

I’d say despite them missing the extra arugula, the sandwich was great the first time around. When I came back the second time, I changed the cream cheese from Feta Olive to Sundried Tomato, and added avocado, both of which made a huge difference and improved it even further.

I know I’ll be back. I also know I won’t be trying any other bagels. The Cheddar is great and whatever you do, get avocado on it. You won’t regret it.

If you make your way over to Benji’s Bagels, we hope you like it! Until next time… peace!

The average Vanderbilt freshmen was either born knowing their college major, or switched their major 5+ times since coming here. No matter which side you fall on, we’ve got the details on the vibes and dare I say, stereotypes(?!) of your current or desired major.

Participants in this survey either had the option to be named with their initials or use “Anonymous” to describe themselves. Please note that this article is purely for comedic purposes; the best major for you is based on a variety of factors, none of which are rooted in the clichés about your major.

Curious to know what your fellow campus companions really think about your academic path? Read on to find out.

Art

“Art majors are cool. I think that they’re insanely talented. And while I am not personally in tune with the fine arts world, I love to see people share their talents and the effort they put into their work.” – S.E. ’27

“You’d excel in HOD.” -Anonymous

Asian Studies

“K-Pop stans who want to study abroad in Korea.” -D.T. ’24

“Likes Asian food, but can’t use chopsticks.” -Anonymous

Biological Sciences

“Goody two shoes, golden child, extreme organizational skills, but sort of regrets their major.” -B.M. ’26

“Turn back now.” -A.C. ’25

Biomedical Engineering

“Having fun on the weekends? Never heard of it.” -Anonymous

“The cause of the future robot uprising.” -J.Y. ’27

Chemical Engineering

“It’s giving Breaking Bad.” -S.L. ’25

“Get a life.” -I.H. ’25

Chemistry

“They spend all their time in Stevenson library.” -E.G. ’27

“Overachievers” -I.H. ’27

“I hate chemistry.” -I.D. ’25

“Students draw one Lewis structure and think they’re Pablo Picasso.” -B.S. ’27

“Who signed up for these classes willingly?” -H.M. -27

“The people in physical chemistry are the only people not getting physical.” -T.S. ’24

Child Development

“You peaked in elementary school.” -M.M. ’27

Child Studies

“Simpler times.” -S.B. ’27

“Preparing to have 8 children.” -Anonymous

“Better not move to Texas.” -Anonymous

Cinema and Media Arts

“Ok, I’m a bit biased as a CMA minor, but I think that we’re okay. There’s a stereotype abt film bros, which def exist and are very annoying, but mostly it’s just people who like watching movies and maybe want to work in the field. It’s chill.” -S.E. ’27

“Social and extroverted.” -B.S. ’27

Civil Engineering

“All about bridges.” -C.C. ’26

“Glorified architects.” -B.M. ’27

“I don’t even know what they do.” -I.H. ’27

“Party planner but for cities.” -Anonymous

Classical and Mediterranean Studies

“Stuck in the past.” -G.C. ’25

“Never grew out of their Percy Jackson phase.” -K.M. ’27

“The lead-up to a philosophy major.” -M.G. ’24

Climate Studies

“Social justice warrior.” -Anonymous

“The sweetest people who have no aim in life.” -C.L. ’27

Communication of Science and Technology- CSET

“Basically doing the work that scientists can’t.” -B.S. ’27

“Scientists with social skills.” -Y.D. ’27

“Want to be Hank Green.” -G.G. ’24

Communication Studies

“How did you get into Vanderbilt?” -Anonymous

“You came to do no work.” -S.N. ’25

“Just another name for HOD.” -Anonymous

“Congratulations- you can communicate.” -Anonymous

“You have to go to college to learn how to talk to people.” -A.S. ’24

Computer Science

“Comp sci people tend to be more nerdy/introverted” -B.S. ’27

“They talk to computers more than they talk to other people.” -Anonymous

Economics

“Either a frat bro or a math nerd. No in-between.” -Anonymous

“Say you’re in Greek life without saying you’re in Greek life.” -Anonymous

Elementary Education

“You like children a little bit too much.” -P.D. ’27

“Glorified baby-sitter.” -Anonymous

English

“People that write long letters and seal them in a wax stamp. They go to slam poetry a lot.” -B.M. ’26

“Why would you major in English? You speak it.” -Anonymous

Environmental Sociology

“Vegans.” -E.S.

“Sorority girls.” -A.W. ’24

“What the hell is that?” -B.S. ’27

French

“Oui, oui- baguettes!” -M.S. ’26

“The Eiffel Tower is all you got going.” -Anonymous

History

“You either want to be broke, a teacher… or both.” -L.C. ’27

“Historian or history teacher- one or the other.” -Anonymous

Human Organizational Development – HOD

“Your biggest struggle in the day is coloring.” -B.M. ’27

“You breathe for 3 seconds instead of 4 and suddenly you’re failing.” -L.G. ’24

“Don’t need to use more than 3 brain cells.” -E.S. ’26

“The people that thought they could avoid the business jokes, but in fact, made themselves more of a joke.” -G.A. ’27

Jazz Studies

“They just play scales.” -I.H. ’26

“Pointless.” -Anonymous

“Careless whisper… iykyk.” -C.L. ’27

Mathematics

“They kind of scare me, but at the same time I’m really impressed by them because you need to really have an appreciation for math while being certain that that’s what you want to do. I haven’t met many mathematics majors, but I think that speaks to how smart you have to be to declare your major as mathematics.” -G.M. ’26

Medicine, Health, and Society

“Extra for what?” -H.F. ’25

“Dream about being a doctor but in reality won’t do anything in life.” -Anonymous

“The HOD of science.” -B.S. ’27

Molecular and Cellular Biology

“Doin’ too much. Overachiever. You’re a wannabe Bill Nye.” -G.A. ’27

“They have a lease for Stevenson.” -Anonymous

“Lemme guess? You’re pre-med.” -Anonymous

Music Composition

“They think that they’re gonna be the next Mozart.” -Anonymous

“You’re gonna be a music education teacher.” -A.M. ’24

Music Performance

“You were definitely in high school band.” -Anonymous

“Which one’s worse? Band kid or choir kid. Answer- both.” -V.S. ’27

Neuroscience

“If you’re anything but a doctor, you’re a disappointment.” -E.C. ’27

“Maybe consider studying what’s wrong with your brain.” -Anonymous

Philosophy

“Congratulations- you can think.” -B.S. ’27

“Making friends with the thoughts in your head.” -A.P. ’25

“How do you know you’re taking philosophy?” -N.W. ’24

Physics

“NASA wannabes.” -L.C. ’27

“It’s math but with a fancier name.” -A.M. ’27

“All pain and suffering. All of it.” -C.L. ’24

Political Science

“They all join the Honor Council.” -B.S. ’27

“Know-it-alls.” -Anonymous

“They are triggered by everything.” -Y.D. ’27

Psychology

“They tend to never have any assignments due, and are very relaxed. Sometimes they’ll try to examine how I think and apply what they learned in class, even when it’s everyday things like being a little sad.” -Anonymous

“They don’t want to face their own feelings.” -C.A. ’27

Public Policy Studies

“The people who aren’t really doing anything but just want to travel the world.” -Anonymous

“They’re trying to make a difference. Just plant a freaking tree.” -I.H. ’27

Religious Studies

“I feel like the people in there don’t really have a religion. So I question why they’re even in the major.” -Anonymous

“Dedicating your life to studying a man that doesn’t exist.” -Anonymous

Secondary Education

“Peaked in high school.” -Anonymous

“You learn about how good school could be, just to be bullied by the system.” -H.M. ’27

Sociology

“I feel like people who study sociology are underrated, like their major. It’s really interesting actually, and requires a deep understanding of social issues, statistics, and economics. Sociologists are pretty cool people to have conversations with because of all of that.” -R.R. ’27

“Sociology majors in my opinion tend to be less in numbers so IMO it’s hard to meet them (maybe I’m just not looking hard enough), but whenever I do, I find that they’re well-informed about concepts or issues I care about.” -L.M. ’26

Spanish

“I haven’t met many Spanish majors; most people I’ve met in that department are either really passionate about the language and tend to be bilingual themselves, or they are aiming for a career that needs/requires/heavily relies on Spanish as a language. In general, I think pursuing the study of a whole language is really impressive as it’s not just a matter of overall sentence structure, but the cultural nuances that come with the language itself.” -L.M ’26

“No me gusta.” -C.G. ’26

Theatre

“I have a couple friends who are theatre majors and even though we make jokes about it being a useless major, I really admire them for pursuing their passion. Most theatre majors I’ve encountered, including my friends, are also very artistic, creative, and expressive which I also really admire.” -G.M. ’26

“Join a club, not a major.” -Anonymous

“You’re on Broadway, whether it’s on the stage or on the street.” -W.B. ’24

~~~~

In Conclusion

Whether you entered Vanderbilt with a crystal-clear major or have danced through multiple choices, this article has explored the vibes and stereotypes surrounding your current or aspiring field of study. Remember, the insights shared here are all in good humor, and your ideal major is determined by a unique blend of factors that go beyond stereotypes.

Until next time … peace!

Like many of us, I have been on Instagram for years and see both the benefits and positives of the app – yes, it’s a powerful platform for connecting with others and sharing experiences. However, recently, I’ve felt the need to reassess my relationship with social media, prompting me to embark on a month-long journey to (try to) quit Instagram.

I decided this challenge would run from November 1 to December 1. I knew this month would pose a challenge, since Thanksgiving Break would be a full week where Instagram would be very appealing.

Regardless, I trudged onwards. First, I had to block Instagram from being used on both my phone and my laptop. My phone was easy; I simply deleted the app. My laptop, where I do a significant amount of ‘Gram checking, needed a different approach.

I’ve used the app SelfControl before, which is free for Macbook. If you have a different laptop, take a look at this article to find an app that works for you. If you don’t trust yourself, there are also more concrete ways to block it from re-installation from your phone for a set period of time.

The app will show up on the Mac launchpad. See below.

You can add any website to the blocklist. I set the timer for 31 days, a.k.a. 744 long, long hours. This is how it looked upon set-up. Very scary.

When the website is blocked and you try to visit it anyways, this is what will show up. No getting past this! You also can’t undo the timer from SelfControl. Good luck with that.

Like many of you, I suffer a moderate addiction to checking an app that (mostly) does not do anything for me. The positives I do see in Instagram are (1) being able to post stories and (2) checking club events happening on campus, which are often not posted on Anchorlink.

This was a month to see if getting off the Gram’ would benefit my mental health and free my mind for other, more important things.

11/1

11pm: Doing my weekly scrolling of the Hustler, I wanted to share Chloe Whalen’s article on how to destress on my story. I get my phone only to realize I have no Instagram app. It’s going to take some time to adjust.

(If you haven’t read her piece on cornfields, you’re missing out.)

11/3

4pm: I’ve been at Central since 10am this morning. While I haven’t done as many assignments as I wanted to, I didn’t get any urge to go on Instagram! Until I thought about it now.

Has it already begun to get easier to stay off the ‘gram?

11/5

10:45am: In bed on Sunday morning, I forgo the usual habit of checking Instagram, which I usually feel quite icky about anyway since it’s not a great way to start the day. Instead I check my news email. As thrilling? No. But did it make me stop using my phone quicker? Yes.

3pm: I need to check a club and if they’re still holding meetings, but alas, Anchorlink is not answering my questions. I can’t check Instagram. Many clubs only use Instagram to publicize events, leading to more of its necessity. I end up emailing the President :0

11:48pm: I was about to leave Commons after an hour working on climate studies. Like I do when I feel bored on my laptop, I go to check Instagram. When I realize I can’t, I head back to Hank. I’m probably shaving about 20 minutes off my procrastination.

11/8

12:04am: I really, really, really want to check Instagram right now but can’t. I have so much work to do, too. I guess I should get started on that.

4:23pm: I need to check when a club’s next meeting is for my anthropology project, and they also don’t list any upcoming meetings on Anchorlink. I email the club president instead, fully knowing that Instagram would easily answer my question. Luckily I receive a reply quickly. C’mon, Anchorlink.

11/11

Today I start to legitimately consider re-downloading the app, just admit the regression, and move on. After 2 days of a debate tournament, I thought I deserved to check the app. I spend 20 minutes texting my friend and move on, going to bed at 2 am.

Do you use Instagram as a reward too, for when you’ve just accomplished something or had a busy day?

Read more about the psychology of social media here.

11/17

Okay, you can all say you told me so, because I redownloaded it. My flight home was yesterday, and I am bored. Do I have things to do for school? Yes. Do I feel justified to redownload it on this Friday? Also yes.

Over the break, I spent a significant amount of time on Instagram. I didn’t quantify it, but it wasn’t great. Opening Instagram to post a quick story leads to an enormous amount of time on the app because of addicting aspects of the app.

My mood didn’t improve much either, as we can expect. I liked being on the app again, but I also felt so blatantly addicted that I don’t look back on my week of using it very fondly.

11/25

It’s the Saturday before we’re back to classes. I delete it, promising to not use it again until the end of the challenge on December 1. I’m successful on this promise, at least.

12/1

It’s done. It’s over.

I rejoice in the challenge being over and somehow, still download the app again. My attempt to break free from Instagram for 1 month taught me many, mostly negative, things about social media use. Usually, a naive opening of the app to “check it quickly” or post a story leads to falling down the rabbit hole. Is it worth it? Or should we instead be more interested in what’s actually in front of us, like these beautiful scenes on campus?

That’s for you to ask yourself.

Until next time… peace!

Ever wondered how your classmates are spending their time when they’re not in lectures alongside you?

We all know what it’s like to spend our days slaving away to the books, staying at Central until 9:30pm … I’m joking! Or am I? :0

What we don’t know is how our class spends our limited time outside our academic endeavors. Well, wonder no more! In this snapshot of responses from the freshmen class, we dive into the Class of 2027’s off-campus pursuits.

Yes, okay, we do a lot of studying

I know I just said this is about non-academic pursuits. But bear with me for a second to check out these absolutely mad statistics:

More than 25% reported they feel they spend the entire day studying

More than 50% reported they feel they spend at least half the day studying

In a separate question, 5.5% reported studying 7-9 hours a day and a whopping 27.3% reported studying 5-7 hours a day.

Where do we study? Apparently, mostly in our dorms. 40% reported they study primarily in their dorms, and 25.5% prefer Central Library.

Finally. Now we can move on to the good stuff.

Exercising

Sometimes, it’s hard to make time to exercise, but just over half of us, 50.9%, do it regularly.

When asked about “regular exercise,” a majority either responded “Yes, I love to do it” or “No, but I dislike not exercising.”

Most of the freshmen that work out prefer to do it in the morning or evening. People who go the the gym midday are in the minority.

43% list their favorite exercise as weights, making it the most popular exercise among freshmen.

Eating

The Pub and Rand lead as the favorite dining option among the Class of 2027.

But when asked which options are disliked, Commons was selected by nearly half the freshmen class.

EBI is also among the top dining halls disliked by freshmen.

Cava and Satay were noted as the two most popular off-campus dining locations.

When it comes to cooking in the dorm kitchens, very few people do it. More than half the class reports only eating “real meals” in the dining halls and eating ready-made snacks at home. Although, more than a third of freshmen make small meals for themselves in the dorm, myself included!

Clubs

By an overwhelming amount, our class either participates in clubs “All the time” or “Occasionally.” You can check the hundreds of clubs offered here!

Sleep

Yes, the medicine we all need, and deserve!

52.7% of the class reports an average of 5-7 hours per night. 32.7% of us are actually doing pretty well, with 7-8 hours. And then there are some of us functioning with an average of 3-5 hours, or less.

Some Final Stats

In their free time…

72.7% of freshmen watch movies and television

81.8% spend time with friends

21.8% read

38.2% nap

43.6% walk to random places

This question was based off of a checkbox system, where respondents could select more than one answer.

Read the Class of 27’s answer to the question, “I have just spent an extended period of time away from campus. I’ve returned, and have nothing to do for the entire day, including homework. What would I spend the day doing and why? by clicking below

Until next time… peace!

With 1.5 weeks left until Thanksgiving Break begins, you might feel the excitement on campus to push through finals and make it to Turkey Day. But before our brief fall interlude, it might be time to consider these tips for academic preparation, travel, health and wellness, and the last activities before break.

Academic Preparation

It’s essential to use these next days wisely, especially when it comes to academic responsibilities. Here’s a guide on how to prepare before the break.

1. Work on Pending Assignments:
   • Address any pending assignments or projects that are due right before the break. Set aside time each day to make progress on them. Completing assignments ahead of time also allows you to pack and enjoy next week without looming deadlines.
2. Organize Your Study Materials:
   • Take some time to organize your notes and study materials. If you use a paper agenda like I do, rip out the pages from August til now. Clean out your backpack and discard unnecessary papers, English majors. We know you do a lot of printing.
3. Meet with TAs and Professors
   • Personally, meeting with the TA in one of my courses helped me navigate the papers more easily. If you want to get involved in research or publish your work later in the semester, talk to those professors now to ask for their help.

Travel

1. Pack Early
   • If you live in humid South Florida like me, brace yourselves and pack the lightest clothing and leave your coats here PLEASE. If you live literally anywhere else, pack a coat. Nuf’ said.
2. Clean Your Dorm Room Before you Leave
   • This could apply to any time you leave campus for an extended period, but doing some light cleaning will make the room nicer for when you return.
3. Pack Food for the Flight
   • Tired and hungry are not a good mix. Bring a protein bar and fruit. You could bring a salad or something with less than 3.4 oz of liquid. I’ve noticed BNA is more lenient on food at TSA than other airports.
4. Bring a Bandaid
   • Do not make the mistake of one of my close friends. Bandaids are crucial for when disaster strikes!

Health and Wellness

1. Manage Stress
   • Yes, easier said than done. This could take on any meaning for you. If going to a club meeting would be relaxing, do that. If you want to take a nap, totally do that instead. I just attended my first knitting meeting this year and it seems like a great hobby. Find what works for you!
2. Stay Hydrated
   • It’s usually easier to concentrate and sit down to get work done when you’re properly hydrated.
3. Connect with Supportive People
   • Social connections are essential to our wellbeing. If you’re going home to a very small family (that you love!), it seems like you’ll be losing touch with your social circle for a long time. Spend time with people you care about on campus before the break.

Last Activities Before Break

1. Vandy Cooks – Vegetarian Comfort Food
   • Date: Wednesday, November 8
     Time: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
     Location: Vanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center
   • Sign up here
2. Before the Burnout: Relax! Relate! Release! Leadership Workshop
   • Date: Thursday, November 9
     Time: 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
     Location: Leadership and Service Space
     Sign up here
3. Vitality Fall Showcase
   • Date: Friday, November 10
     Time: 7:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
     Location: Langford Auditorium
   • Sign up here
4. Lanterns – By the Multicultural Leadership Council
   • Date: Monday, November 13
     Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
     Location: Sarratt Cinema
     Sign up here
5. Internship Search Party
   • Date: Wednesday, November 15
     Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
     Location: Langford Auditorium
   • Sign up here

___

Hope this article was helpful!
Until next time… peace!

Upon the release of Spring classes last Monday, students eagerly rushed to the YES portal, feverishly planning their schedules. At MCL, we understand that planning your classes is stressful, so we’re bringing you insights straight from the source: our very own freshmen!

This article pulls back the curtain on the real experiences of your peers, shedding light on how they’re crafting their ideal class schedules. Get the lowdown on their approaches, learn from their successes, and find out what really works in the world of course selections. This isn’t your typical guide – it’s a firsthand account from your friends and classmates. Let’s get real about scheduling at Vanderbilt!

1. Annie Zhang

2. Sammy Kassan

3. Ava Aria

4. Mackenzie Wright

5. Manushree Navaneethakrishnan

6. Jessy Djakpa

Freshmen here at Vandy have shared their best tips for Spring 2024 scheduling. Seriously, their advice is pure gold. Use their tips to plan your schedule and let them know what worked for you if you see them on campus. Happy scheduling, and here’s to an epic Spring 2024!

Until next time … peace!

During the first weekend of October, overnight temperatures dropped to the 40s. If you’re not used to the cold weather, we have you covered.

No, it’s not freezing like in the photo above… yet. But if you’re from the tropics (*cough cough* my friends from Sri Lanka) or Florida like me, this cold weather is somewhat of a shock.

First, let’s look at what Vanderbilt freshmen said when asked, “What temperature constitutes ‘cold’ weather for you?” All answers are listed in ℉.

• 32 – Phie Mihm, Maine
• 32 – Gwen Goetz, Texas
• 35 – RuoHan Chen, Pennsylvania
• 39 – Grayson Smith, Illinois
• 40 – Brinnan Smith, Oregon
• 55 – Thisaga Senarath, Sri Lanka
• 55 – Ava Aria, Maryland
• 59 – Terra Jang, Arizona
• 65 – Chelsea Liebenthal, Florida

Clearly, the people from colder climates are more resistant to feeling ‘cold.’ But luckily, with a bit of preparation, winter in Nashville can be an enjoyable experience for everyone, even those coming from warmer weather. Here, we explore various activities and tips for Vanderbilt freshmen to make the most out of the colder months.

Wardrobe Essentials

Look for long sleeve shirts, jackets, and sturdy boots that align with your style and preferences. If you are unaccustomed to the cold, look for hats, scarves, and gloves, too. Thrift stores can offer a diverse selection of affordable winter wear. By prioritizing functionality and individual comfort, you can face the winter weather much more comfortably.

Explore the Indoors

You know when people say, “Explore the great outdoors!” and shove you out the door? Well, forget that! This time it’s explore the indoors. If you dread spending time in cold weather, find indoor attractions you can explore instead, like cafes when you need to work during the week or museums on the weekend when you don’t want to stay in the dorm. Poindexter Coffee is an 11-minute walk from Rand, Starbucks is just across the street from Central Library, and Barista Parlor in Hillsboro is less than a 13-minute walk from your dorm. The Frist Art Museum, Country Music Hall of Fame Museum, and National Museum for African American Music are all free when you show your Commodore card.

Winter Sports

Don’t equate the colder months with being sedentary. Luckily, the Rec has an indoor track if you miss running outdoors. There’s also weights, treadmills, bikes, and a rock climbing wall. The Commons gym has weights and standard exercise machines, too. If you actually like the cold, ice skating is available at Ford Ice Center with online registration. If you don’t want to leave the dorm at all, you can do yoga with online tutorials. Staying active is possible when it’s chilly out!

Dorm Comfort Food

Although walking to a nearby restaurant is always a solid idea, you can stay in your dorm and make some pretty amazing food. CVS sells plain rolled oats, and adding hot water to them and microwaving makes a mug of fluffy oats in under 5 minutes. Scrambled eggs, mug cakes, and hot cocoa can also be made in a microwave. If you need a toasty snack for when it’s cold out, turn to popcorn. By venturing into your dorm’s kitchen, you have even more options.

These recipes are designed for simplicity, requiring only basic kitchen tools like a microwave. They’ll not only warm your belly but also make dorm living a little cozier and more flavorful. Happy cooking!

Local Seasonal Events

Nashville comes alive with vibrant fall festivities, making it an exciting time for Vanderbilt freshmen to immerse themselves in the local culture.

Explore the Cheekwood Harvest, going on until October 29th. Or, take a trip to the Nashville Fall Festival, happening on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until October 31st.

Overall Winter Wellness Tips

During the fall and winter months, prioritize your well-being, particularly if the cold is a new experience for you. Maintain a balanced diet with warm, nutritious foods. Stay active indoors using campus facilities or online workouts. If you are worried about getting sick, boost your immune system with sleep and hydration. And if the darker afternoons and earlier sunsets are depressing, seek natural light during the day to keep your mood up . By incorporating these practices into your life, you’ll stay healthy and resilient throughout the colder months.

This can be a time filled with unique experiences and opportunities for personal growth. If you’re not used to the new weather, you can and will adapt to it! By embracing the chill and exploring the city’s indoor offerings, Vanderbilt freshmen can not only survive but also thrive during the colder months, creating lasting memories and enjoying the vibrant culture Nashville has to offer.

Until next time … peace!