Stephan Bellamy

With Commodores Care finally behind us, campus life is on the road to normalcy—or at least the covid normal we are used to by now. As several opportunities open back up, a few changes may have flown under your nose. This Top 5 list has you covered with some of the more substantial shifts that may turn your spring semester from mundane to anything but plain!

5. The Libraries are Back!

Perhaps you forgot the delight of studying hard at Stevenson or Central. The re-opening should be commonplace for most who were aware of what the end of Commodore Care entailed, but in case you thought it was too good to be true, your favorite studying spots are ready to be your home again. No more do you have to suffice with your 13th trip to Buttrick, daring to find an empty classroom to conform to your solitude. Yes, the security guard that always asks for your ID missed you too.

4. Hit the Gym, Jack!

During Commodore Care, the Rec we know and love was appointment-only, limiting our time at the gym to one hour a day (and that’s if you managed to land a spot before it was full). Now, the Rec is back to business like usual, although several places will still take some time to open back up (such as the pool). And if you do not want to take that 20-minute stroll from Commons, the Commons Gym is also available for you to get in those reps!

3. Be a Fan with Mr. C

I know, I know, it has been ages since sporting events were open to students. Cheering fans and that loud, annoying-yet-almost-majestic buzzer sound are all distant memory. But finally, you can attend that basketball game or upcoming baseball match to cheer on fellow Commodores. Have your ID and vaccination card on standby, and you can see that beautiful smile of Mr. C again.

2. Masks? Glad you asked!

Technically, this isn’t much of a campus change, but come on! To accompany you on your mask journey are three new K-95s to add to your collection (that’s if Mr. C didn’t forget about you, though). Now you are more than prepared to transition back to in-person activities. Greek life is starting to open back up, the dining halls have chairs back on the ground, and your favorite clubs may no longer be on zoom (I see you, MCL)! If you want to do anything really, always keep a mask handy.

1. Dining Upgrade

If you wake up early enough, Vanderbilt offers life-changing breakfast options. From Commons to Rand, you will not be disappointed by the delicate yogurt, fluffy pancakes, and tater tots with that crispy crunch. While on main-campus, you can now head over to Kissam for breakfast, including brunch on the weekends! And if you are a fan of Açaí, granola is now an added topping option. Back over at Commons, you can now enjoy flatbreads for dinner, and most dining locations offer your favorite sparkling water, Bubly, along with various soda options by Stubborn! The list goes on, but one unforgettable mention is boba at Highland, available only during weekdays at limited hours. Oh, one more thing, dinner is extended by 30 minutes, lasting up to 8 pm!

The end of the semester is fast approaching. Buckle up! Do not crash and burn because of procrastination and lack of planning. No, you made it too far to throw the white flag. What you need is a short, comprehensive guide to aid you to the finish line. These few tips will keep your eyes on the road to victory here at Vanderbilt and even help you develop a strategy for finishing the semester as a champion.

1. Prioritize Self-Care

With finals already among us, it can be easy to overwhelm ourselves with hours of studying and reading over notes. While a social detox is an easy quick-fix, make sure you take care of yourself too. Maybe it has been a few weeks since you hit the gym; you can start good habits today. Or you miss being part of the community; treat yourself to a sports game with friends or investigate what organizations are doing for the final days of the semester. Also, don’t shy away from eating all day. We all need food, and a sufficient amount of it, to fuel our bodies throughout the day.

2. Talk to Your Professors

If you have not yet scheduled office hours with your instructor or barely made small talk all this time, now is your final chance to connect with them. Taking their course means having access to them, and connections will help guide your career path and secure a job when you graduate. Especially if you are unsatisfied with your course grade, you will be surprised how helpful and understanding instructors can be. Even better, professors are (likely) not going anywhere! Do not miss this great opportunity!

3. Time Crunch like a Champ

Maybe you have a Google calendar with some of your to-dos already, or you’ve managed to get by all semester without reminding yourself what there is to do. Despite where you fit, you should consider maximizing your use of time. Doing this does not entail stressing yourself out with all-nighters. Maximizing time means completing work, maintaining good habits, and having fun! Along with improving self-care, good time management profoundly reduces stress and enables you to live life prepared for what’s to come. (And if your time management is above and beyond, you might even decide to sacrifice some study time for social hour and will still be fine!) 

4. Study Smart

Some people can study for hours straight with superb productivity. But for most people, this way of studying does not work very well. (Keep in mind that our attention span is in the seconds too!) Research has proven that studying in increments is the most successful strategy. This way of studying does not mean you can work on calculus for one minute then scroll through Instagram for five. You will still need to commit a considerable amount of time to navigate through your work pile. A plus to this method (called Pomodoro, by the way) is that you can alternate subjects to reduce stress. Ideally, you can focus on an intensive course for an hour and then switch to something less demanding for thirty minutes. From personal experience, I almost enjoy studying now because of how manageable it is!

5. Experience Vanderbilt (Literally!)

It’s easy to forget the profusion of resources available to us commodores. Need help in STEM? Tutoring spots are waiting for you. Want to plan your professional portfolio for your dream career? The career center will happily guide you to the necessary steps. Above all, the students sitting next to you in class, and the ones roaming the halls, have a galore of student organizations and action groups to match your interests and keep you well-socialized. And if you haven’t snapped a LinkedIn-ready headshot with our splendid campus as the background, the time to act is now! All that said, do not blind yourself to what Vanderbilt can offer you.

Conclusion

These five tips will not magically do wonders, but they can lead to success, winning in both academia and life. Furthermore, nothing works unless you do. Even if you do not faithfully follow these suggestions, commit to doing things that will aid your future self. Good luck with the finals, and enjoy the break!

If you want a revamp in your dining experience, check out these new options that have opened up here at Vanderbilt!

1. Hot Chocolate & Pumpkin Spice 

What is autumn without the warm sip of hot chocolate and melted marshmallows or a seasonal pumpkin spice latte? Fear not, Suzies and the Commons Center have you covered. Included in a meal swipe, you can now order pumpkin spice lattes and hot chocolate at Suzie’s. The Commons Center also added a small DIY hot chocolate station, and you can add as many marshmallows as you see fit.

2. Smoothies Close to Home

Maybe you are craving an all-natural smoothie with fresh fruit and spinach but realize the line at 2301 is just too long, as it typically is during peak hours. There is no need to worry about just one place to grab a good smoothie anymore. The Commons Center now has a smoothie-making station, so you can sip on healthy goodness with the convenience of not walking far from your dorm. 

3. The Arrival of Bubly

Sometimes, the soda water does not give you the satisfaction you want. If you are a sparkling water fanatic like me, you know all the good brands that will never let you down. Kissam now has a Bubly machine with various flavoring to choose from, including orange and raspberry! 

4. Soups for Days

When it is cold outside, nothing beats soup by the fireplace. If you have been waiting for soup without the long walk to Grins, grab your coat and get ready for this one. EBI and Rand now have soups available with new flavors by the week. Enjoy a bowl of warmth and goodness with a side of saltines to start your day right. Beware! There is a limited daily supply, so you must act fast.

5. The Return of Pho

A new dining classic has finally returned to EBI. You can now get buffet-style Pho at the convenience of staying on campus. And no need to fear about the quality. Students who have recently tried Pho at EBI gave it two big thumbs up. 

Whether you are running late for class or Google Maps have left you astray, shortcuts can come in handy as a quick and reliable route to campus hotspots. As a bonus, these routes utilize Vanderbilt’s main campus, so no need to fear waiting on traffic lights or crossing the street alone, for the most part.

1) Staircase to Stevenson

Perhaps one of the most significant shortcuts is hidden in plain sight. First, you need to cross the bridge to Stevenson. If you have not been this way before or it has been a hot minute, all you have to do is go to Peabody Esplanade and then walk beside Magnolia Lawn. Whenever you see a children’s playground to your left, take a left at the corner and viola. After you cross the bridge, follow the path until you see a twisted marble sculpture to your right. Walk around that and immediately take a left to Stevenson library (before your eyes should be a spiraling staircase). Take the stairs and in front of you will be the Chemistry building. To your right is math, and if you take a right and then a left, you are at the center of the Stevenson complex!

2) Greek Row is the Way to Go

If you need to go to the bookstore or try Zeppos dining, this path will be helpful. As mentioned previously, you will need to take the bridge to Stevenson. This time, however, you do not need to take the stairs. Continue the path until you come across many intersections in front of Central Library. Take one left and follow straight until you see a statue of Harold Stirling Vanderbilt (he should be to your left). 

Walk past him and immediately take a right, then left to reach Rand/Sarratt Student Center. Take another right and keep straight until you arrive at Alumni Lawn (it should be close to where Sarratt ends). From there, you take a left and follow the trail until you come across the new pavement. Now, take a right and keep walking until you see a descending path with a railway to your left. This new path should be close to where the first row of Greek life ends. Take a left and follow along. You will see a beautiful skyscraper of a building to your right. That will be where Zeppos is located. If you keep straight until you reach a road, the bookstore should be before you. 

3) A Straight Shot to the Stadium

Football season is among us, and baseball is just around the corner. To show your Commodore spirit in time, you will need an easy way to get from Commons to where all the action is happening. Again, you will need to take the bridge and even the staircase to Stevenson. Make a right and then left until you face a round building. Take two lefts as you walk in front of Lecture Hall and then alongside the Center for Science and Engineering. Take yet another left to face Eskind Biomedical Library. 

You will know you are at the right place if to your left is a circular path. Take a right and keep straight to reach Hawkins Field (for baseball). Take a left then a right around Hawkins to reach Vanderbilt Stadium. Also, close by are the tennis courts, soccer/lacrosse complex, and track & field complex.

4) The Rec Route

For all your sports practice and gym equipment needs, the Vanderbilt Student Recreational Center is the spot for you. For a simple, two-direction path, you need to cross Peabody Esplanade to reach 21st Avenue St. Take a left to follow along the street until you align with Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital (the big building with two red children holding hands).

Take a right to bypass Mapco and then keep going straight. Eventually, the Rec Center will be to your right. You will know you are there if you see what looks like a gigantic warehouse. 

5) A Trip to See Cornelius

You may be wondering where exactly Cornelius Vanderbilt is. If you want to visit our founder, there is a short route to see his monument. First, you need to head to Harold Stirling Vanderbilt (refer to 2 for thorough instructions). If you stand in front of Harold to face Central Library, your absolute left (straight and not diagonal) is the path you need to follow. Stay along the track until you reach a road that loops around. Follow the road until you reach the other side that loops. To your left is Cornelius standing with his left hand over his abdomen.