My Commons Life

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

Rozi Xu

MCL Top 5: Ways to Make the Most of Your Summer

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As the end of our first years at Vanderbilt comes to an end, we’ve compiled a list of ways you can make the most of your summer.

We’re at that awesome time where we don’t have to stress about having an internship lined up and have some time to do some soul-searching before life and career and real adulting hits us. Here are some ways you can make the most of your summer!

5. Volunteer

Through volunteering, you can work towards something you really care about without fully committing yourself. It’s also an amazing opportunity to learn, gain perspective and meet new people that you wouldn’t have met otherwise!

4. Learn something new

If you’re like me and you’ve always wanted to learn guitar and constellations and French but never had the time, there’s no time like the present! You may feel more pressure to find a job or internship during later summers so now’s the perfect time to find a new hobby or interest and just have fun learning it!

3. Travel (from Paris to your local ice cream shop)

Discover new places whether it’s sightseeing in Paris or New York or just finding hidden gems in your neighborhood. Go for walks and make the most of your home away from Vandy. And if you are here on campus for the summer, it’s the perfect opportunity to find some hidden gems in Nashville and tell your friends all about them when we come back for sophomore year!

2. Embark on a new project

If you’re like me and can’t do nothing for my summer, embarking on a new project is a great way to hold yourself accountable. If there’s a blog, short story, music video or film that you’ve been always meaning to start and have never found the time, this summer would be perfect for that. Not only will it help you foster your sense of accountability and time management, but it might even make you learn more about yourself and do some self-reflecting about your major and career path.

1. Do absolutely nothing

Balance is everything! If all you want to do is go to the beach and binge-watch Netflix shows this summer after the stress-filled year we’ve all just had, do just that! Even as you are traveling and taking on projects, it’s also important to do nothing sometimes and just let your mind and body relax.

Humans of The Commons: Sharonda Adams

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Sharonda Adams is a Law, History and Society & Human and Organizational Development double major from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Where do you find your happiness at Vanderbilt?

I love hanging out with my friends, going to concerts and attending campus events. There’s never a dull day on campus.

One of my favorite events this year was Commons Ball. It was amazing to see over 1000 people enjoying the Ball after all the hard work and planning that went into it.

I’d say that one of my biggest passions in life is music. I love all genres and can vibe to pretty much anything! My favorite concert of the year was a Delta Rae concert that I went to in September. It was special because it was the day between my birthday and my mom’s birthday. We were able to meet the band because my mom won a contest that Delta Rae has for teachers (see below).

What are you involved in on campus?

I’m involved in the Commons Leadership Council (CLC) as the Gillette House President.(See below for picture of Sharonda with VP Chip Dale) It has been a very fun and rewarding role. I’m also a producer for My Commons Life, the freshman blog that you’re reading. In addition to CLC and MLC, I am a big fan of the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) and Alternative Winter Break (AWB) programs. I’m excited to be on AWB board for the upcoming year because I love the service that alternative breaks do and how quickly you can bond with a small group of people in such a short amount of time. I’m also a bookseller at Barnes & Noble, so feel free to stop by and visit (we can talk about all of the bestsellers).

What do you love about yourself?

One thing that I love about myself is my ability to laugh at my own jokes. I’m pretty much a 40-year-old man stuck in a teenage girl’s body. I just love laughing and being able to find something to smile about.

What are your talents?

My only talent is appreciating other people’s talents. I hope that one day I’ll wake up and be a great singer or dancer but for now I’m just chilling. I like to live vicariously through the many talented people here on campus by attending showcases and performances.

 

What did you think of your freshman year?

I’m definitely sad that my freshman year is over and my favorite thing by far would be the new people that I met who come from so many different backgrounds.

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?

One piece of advice that I’d give to freshmen who are coming to Vanderbilt is that the adjustment is hard, but make sure you don’t lose yourself when you’re trying to find your place on campus and make new friends. Stay genuine and eventually you’ll find where you’re supposed to be.

What are you looking forward to most for sophomore year?

I’m looking forward to living in McGill. I love their emphasis on acceptance and creativity and I’m excited about being able to meet new people on main campus.

Humans of The Commons: Eyerusalem (Rue) Zicker

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Rue is an Ethiopian first-year who lives with her adopted family in Lawrence, Kansas when she’s not having fun and spending her time in Gillette. She enjoys meeting other people and hearing their stories because she believes everyone has a story to tell. Stay tuned as she talks about her favorite class, your favorite food and what a perfect day on campus is like for her!

What is your major?

I’m currently undecided, but I’m leaning towards Medicine, Health and Society with an emphasis on Global Health. I might be on the pre-PA or pre-Nursing track. I’ve always gravitated towards the medical profession, but I’ve done some reevaluating and don’t think medical school is for me. I want to stay in the medical profession because when I was younger when I liked taking care of my siblings when they were sick. I also worked as a CNA at a nursing home my senior year!

What’s your favorite class that you’ve taken?

One of my favorite classes thus far is my Intro to African American Diaspora Studies. It was incredible and it made me consider minoring in AADS (African American and Diaspora Studies). As someone in the diaspora, I really enjoyed learning different perspectives and how they might impact what I do in the future.

What’s your favorite food on campus, off campus and back home?

On campus, I love the orange chicken at Commons. Off campus, I love Mellow Mushroom, especially their Great White Pizza. From back home, when I cook I usually cook traditional Ethiopian foods. One of my favorite things to cook is just traditional sauce with pasta or eggs!

What does your perfect day on campus look like?

Ideally I would have all my work done the night before. I would sleep in until 10:30 AM, have an omelette for breakfast, hang out with my friends, sit on the lawn and read a book or two, go to the rec and go out that night!

What is your hidden talent?

I can turn my tongue to make a three-leaf clover! But besides that, I also love braiding hair so if you’re ever looking for someone to braid hair for free or occasionally charge a few bucks (because we’re all poor college kids), hit me up!

Video: My Experience in Cafe Con Leche As a First-Year

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As my last semester as a first-year student comes to an end, I’ve had the pleasure of participating in the Vanderbilt Association of Hispanic Students’ annual Cafe con Leche dance showcase. I’ve never danced before (other than the ballroom dance classes I took in high school to fulfill my Physical Education requirement) but I figured why not?

It was a truly rewarding experience to learn from my amazing choreographers Shelby Hughes and Francisco Munguia, but perhaps the best part was making friends that I might not have made otherwise. Being able to perform after months of practice was an irreplaceable feeling and I would do it again every year.

It’s hard to describe my experience in words, so perhaps this video can help. After all, if a picture speaks a thousand words, how many words can a video speak?

 

 

Top 5: Things to Do at the Wond’ry

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The Wond’ry is a place of dreams and creativity for anyone who has ever had an innovative idea. A common stigma around the Wond’ry is that it is specifically a space only for engineers or engineering students (which might be because it’s located where the Science and Engineering Building is), but it is actually a widely untapped resource for all students and faculty.

Here are some ways you can use the building to your advantage, whether it’s to create something great and prosperous or just to study and get through your exams.

5. Take academic courses at the Wond’ry

The Wond’ry offers academic courses from the common introductory HOD 1250 for HOD majors/minors to courses on Virtual Reality and “How to Make (Almost) Anything,” which involves using CAD software, 3D printers, sewing machines and more. The “How to Make (Almost) Anything” course is offered to sophomores and juniors only so as this year comes to an end, be sure to sign up for the course if you’re interested!

4. Take classes/workshops on making almost anything

The Wond’ry’s Makerspace comes with all the equipment you can imagine, from 3D printers to sewing machines. And if you don’t know how to operate them, the Wond’ry has classes and student mentors! These hands-on workshops go from Casting and Molding, introductory sewing, and even Photoshop.

To sign up, go to: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/thewondry/upcomingevents/

3. Office hours with real professionals

The Wond’ry has a diverse group of mentors who have “made it” in Nashville. They range from CEOs and founders of major corporations in Nashville to successful attorneys and Vanderbilt professors. These mentors have real world experience and are more than willing to give advice and share their stories when you email them or come to their office hours, which are usually once a month!

To check out the Wond’ry’s group of mentors, go to: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/thewondry/mentors/

2. Study!

I’m almost a little hesitant to write about the Wond’ry’s awesome study spots for the fear that they will all be used now. The Wond’ry has chic new desks and chairs and their very own one-person studying pods. Students can lie down on these pods to study or even to take a nap and move the desk closer or farther away from them. These pods not only have perfect leg room, but all the glass and windows surrounding the Wond’ry allow the natural sunlight to come through and keep you awake.

1. Putting your dreams and ideas into action.

If you’ve ever had a crazy idea, the Wond’ry might just be able to make it come to fruition. In particular, the Wond’ry offers Pre-Launch and Post-Launch classes for aspiring entrepreneurs. The Pre-Launch program is for students who have just come up with an idea and would like to see what it takes to make it into reality. The Post-Launch program is for students whose ideas are already “launched” and would like to learn how to take their company/organization/idea even farther.

These programs are usually offered once a semester, so if you come up with a fabulous idea over the summer, be sure to look for these opportunities in the next school year!

MCL Top 5: Ways to Spend Your Spring Break on Campus

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While most of us may be going back home or going on Alternative Spring Break trips next week, there are quite a few of us staying on campus. If that’s you, here are the top five ways you can enjoy your spring break and turn it into a vacation! You can even make some friends by asking housemates or acquaintances if they want to do these activities with you and have fun while you’re at it!

5. Have a Movie Marathon

If you haven’t watched Black Panther already, this is the perfect time for you to check it out! In fact, if you get MoviePass (even just for the month of March), you only have to pay $7.95 to watch a movie a day everyday during your Spring Break at Belcourt Theater or Regal Green Hills!

4. Have a Picnic

As the weather’s picking up, Spring Break may be a great time for you to lay on the grass, read and maybe get ahead by studying while pretending like you’re basking in the Cancun sun. Plus, Commons and Alumni Lawn won’t be as crowded during Spring Break as it usually is. If you’re looking to get slightly off-campus, pack your bags and take a walk to Centennial Park to get comfy on the grass.

3. Explore Food Places in the Heart of Nashville

Challenge yourself by going farther than Jeni’s for ice cream and Satay for Thai food. Search on Yelp for some solid food places in Nashville, such as Mike’s Ice Cream, Woodlands Indian Vegetarian Cuisine, Otaku Ramen, Miss Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant, Mas Tacos, Korea House and more! Grab a friend or go by yourself and when your friends get back on campus, express them with your knowledge of delicious food places in Nashville.

2. Explore Nashville Itself!

Why wait until after Spring Break to return to the Frist when you loved it so much during your Class of 2021 celebration? Spend your break geeking out over amazing art at the Frist, virtual reality and science (the cool kind) at the Adventure Science Center, or the various music museums we have in Nashville (Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Country Music Hall of Fame, etc)! It’ll be just like vacationing in Nashville itself. Additionally, if you want to save some Uber money, Spring Break may be the perfect time for you to try taking public transportation (free with your Commodore Card) to save some money!

1. Give Back to the Community

There are ways to enjoy yourself and give back even as you watch your friends pack their bags to go on ASB trips. By going on https://www.hon.org/calendar, you can sign up for volunteering events that happen almost everyday during Spring Break and make your Spring Break as productive as it can be!

MCL Top 5: Black Mirror Episodes To Watch

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Of the shows generating the most hype recently, Black Mirror is amongst the top. The show is unique in that every episode does not have to be watched in order and each episode tells its own story. The show is infamous for plot twists and innovative thinking and storytelling that often leaves us thinking about the complex issues that relate to our lives.

To give you episodes to start binge-watching, here are our suggestions.

1 – Hang the DJ

Perfect for Valentine’s Day! This episode will really make you appreciate the people in your life, especially significant others, why we chose for them to be in our lives and why they choose to stay through each day.

2 – San Junipero

This episode unravels a story that is similar to USS Callister (see below) but touches innovatively upon the controversial and frequently asked question of “If you could live forever, would you?”

3 – USS Callister

Perfect for those of you who are lovers of sci-fi films and books. It’s infused with creativity and tells a story that stands out from the other episodes.

4 – White Christmas

A Christmas special that is perfect to watch for any time, anywhere.

5 – The Entire History of You

A particularly saddening episode that portrays the very real downside to having an ability most of us probably wished we had.

We hope you enjoy!

MCL Top 5: Apps a College Student Should Get

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The new semester continues, a new way to spice things up is to get some new (free!) mobile apps on your smartphone to help you study, shop and even stay educated!

5. BeFocused

If you’re a self-proclaimed procrastinator like me, you’d love BeFocused! This app allows you to record tasks you have to do, from classwork to cleaning your room, check them off as you complete them, check your weekly progress and reward you with a break for every productive session. The default timer is set for a 5 minute break for every 25 minute work session but you can change the breaks and work sessions to any amount of time that you’d like!

4. Line Camera

While I’m personally not a big Instagram person, several of my friends are and I’ve always wondered how their pictures look so flawless. The answer lies in this multipurpose photo editing tool that can make collages, provide filters, paint over your pictures, crop pictures with cute shapes from hearts or stars, fit them in beautiful frames and so much more.

3. ReutersTV

If one of your goals for 2018 is to stay or become more educated with current news, ReutersTV has your back! ReutersTV offers some old-school news on your phone in the time it’ll take for you to get ready. If you’re looking to catch up as quickly as possible while rushing out the door, set your program length to 5 minutes and ReutersTV will filter out the most important national and international news in just 5 minutes. If you’re looking to take your time, you can set your program length to up to 30 minutes and let your news play in the background as you get ready.

2. Depop

Depop is perfect for college kids who want to look good while staying within their budget. Functioning as an online thrift-shop, students can buy any clothing, shoes or accessories from anywhere and have it delivered. To make some extra money, you can also sell clothes that you don’t want/need and make room in your closet for more!

1. HQ

Also known as the app that your best friend, brother, mother and (probably) neighbor’s dog all have. HQ is one of the most talked-about apps at the moment and it’s all for good reason! HQ is a great way to hang out with friends and collectively answer some bizarre Trivia questions to learn more about “which of the following may or may not be an animal.” If you’re lucky, you can even win $10,000! So the next time you’re ready to take a break, gather up some friends to win a few extra bucks that will help fund your frequent trips to Nama Sushi!

Have fun and happy exploring!