My Commons Life

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

MCL Top Five

MCL Top 5: Hidden Study Spots

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Studying with friends can be fun…but during times where all you need is to isolate and cram your 8 chapters of material the day before the exam, I have the perfect spot for you! We have all experienced the full Stevenson and Central libraries during midterm and final exam season. Through this guide, you’ll be able to find a place with at most 2-5 people accompanied by silence.

5. Hank Library

Now, the ability to take advantage of this study spot is narrow as it is only available for freshman. Hurry while you can still scan into the freshmen dorms! Among all dorms on Commons, Hank has the largest library collection consisting of more than a measly 15 books (sorry North). In addition to the adorable mini-library collection, there are a few sofas, tables, and chairs that you can pick or move around in while you’re desperately cramming for tomorrow’s exam!

4. Peabody Library Bottom Floor

Another great option for freshmen to take advantage of during their first year on Commons! Although Central and Stevenson Library are famous study study, the most underrated library to study is definitely Peabody Library. While I may not be a huge fun of the upstairs study rooms either, I have to ask you all try to the very last floor of this library. Here, you are not only offered round table desks, but also conference rooms with white boards! What a steal.

3. Digital Center for Humanities

The perfect combination of new, old, and technology! This is the building for digital center for humanities where they explore the intersection of technology and humanities research. Alongside from admiring the beautiful architecture, you will find a small, humble library with a few study chairs here and there. Right next to the University School of Nashville, you will find small children running around the playground and reminisce about your childhood, too!

2. Wyatt Library

Through these doors, you will find the modern section of the Wyatt Center where there is a small library with colorful, comfortable bean bags and a few round tables. The highlight of this place is that because the Wyatt Center is almost impossible to navigate, this hasn’t become a popular spot for most students. While I may be biased as a double major in Peabody, I have to say this study spot makes me feel most at home.

1. HOD Building Top Floor

If you’re looking for a really discrete location where you get through a few sketchy-seeming places to find this study spot, then this one’s for you. All you have to do is to walk over to 6 Magnolia Circle, take the elevator to the highest level, and get a right turn after you get off! When I tell you barely any people study here except like 1-2 people, I genuinely mean it. It can almost get a little scary. However, if you need no distractions and time away from people, then make sure to give this study spot a try!

MCL Top 5: Restaurants I’ve Been to in Nashville

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What joy is a college student to (legally) find in life except eating good food? Kidding. But in all seriousness, I quite enjoy going out to find yummy things to eat, and I’m sure you do too! (At least, I’d assume so since you’re reading this feature.) To celebrate this commonality, I’ve compiled a list of my top 5 favorite restaurants in town so that you can also enjoy some great meals!

Note: I did my best to make sure that all of these restaurants would be accessible to most people. Some of the places are a bit far, but they’re all either bus-able or walkable locations. Additionally, in case you’re concerned that you might’ve searched the wrong place, I’ve linked the Google Maps URLs to the headings. No need to worry about any transportation expenses or location mix-ups!

Now without further ado, here are the top five restaurants I’ve been to around Nashville!

5. Black Dynasty Secret Ramen House

They were not lying about it being a secret ramen house. I actually ran into another group of people who were looking for the place in the middle of my search. Turns out the big secret is that it’s located inside the Bearded Iris brewery—now that you know, you hopefully won’t suffer in the cold as I did! Once I finally got inside, though, I had a pretty good experience. I got the miso tonkatsu ramen, which you can see pictured above. The broth was flavorful, albeit a bit salty for my taste (nothing a cup of hot water can’t fix), and the noodles had a pleasantly chewy texture to them. As for the miso caramel banana pudding, it reminded me a bit of crème brûlée! No funky miso flavor. On top of all that, the interior is really interesting, and has a nice ambience. My only gripe with the restaurant is that everything is definitely on the pricier side, but it’s a great place to visit occasionally when you’re craving a good bowl of ramen. (Advice for easing the burden on your wallet: 20% gratuity is automatically included when you order, so don’t feel pressured to tip again!)

4. Meet Noodles

Can you tell I really like noodles? Well, I do. I promise the rest of this list won’t just be noodle restaurants, though. Meet Noodles was my go-to comfort restaurant last semester, meaning I probably spent half of my meal money there. The combination of a sub-10 minute walking distance + warm Asian food is dangerous(ly enticing). They offer a great selection of Chinese noodle dishes, and I’ve never once been disappointed by anything I’ve ordered. For the indecisive folks out there, my usual order is the Shanxi sliced noodles (pictured above). I won’t go into detail about the dishes since I’ve realized that food descriptions are not my strong suit, but I’ll say this much: it’s good stuff!

3. Sitar Indian Cuisine

Something tells me that a lot of people already know about this restaurant (and the previous one for that matter), but here it is anyways! Due to my overwhelming love for rice and shrimp, I’ll admit that I haven’t tried as many things from Sitar as I have at some other places on this list. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve eaten, though! I unfortunately can’t comment on the dine-in experience, as I’ve always gotten my food to-go (sat down at a table just to get the photo lol); however, I can at least attest to the fact that they have some pretty speedy service. Overall, I’ve had a great experience, and I’ll definitely be back once I start craving shrimp biryani again.

2. OSH Restaurant & Grill

No, the duplicate photos are not a glitch. It was just the best way I could think to make sure that the image wouldn’t show up huge on everybody’s screens (so please bear with me).

I don’t think I’d ever been to an Uzbek restaurant before OSH, but boy did it set the bar high. To start off, the dinnerware is so pretty. Perhaps I’m just used to food being served on plain plates, but the matching plates, cups, and teapots felt fun and fancy to me. As for the food, all the dishes I tried over the course of my two visits were so good that writing about it is making my mouth water. I particularly enjoyed the lagman (oops that’s another noodle dish) and lamb kebab. The latter especially surprised me with how tender it was. But seriously, wow. I’m going to stop typing now so that I can think of other things that won’t make me unbearably hungry.

1. The Boba Bar

Last but not least is The Boba Bar! For everybody thinking, Wait, but that’s not a restaurant!, I’d have to agree. That being said, I really love the place (the I’ve-been-three-times-in-this-past-week-and-the-staff-remember-my-face-and-I-dream-of-their-boba-when-I-go-back-home-for-break kind of love), so I don’t care! The decor, the music, the drinks—it’s all just *chef’s kiss*. I’ve made it about a quarter of the way through the menu so far, and my favorite definitely has to be the brown sugar boba. Honorable mentions go to the peach yakult and the korean strawberry milk. Everything I’ve had has been really good, so I’m very excited to try more of their drinks.

That’s all I’ve got for now, but if you’ve got any suggestions for more restaurants I can visit, email them to mycommonslife@gmail.com! I’d love to explore some new places (provided they aren’t too expensive). Happy eating everybody!

My Top 5: Events to Look Forward to this Semester

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Welcome back! New year, new you, AND new events to look forward to (tehehe see what I did there). If you’re anything like me and want to set events in your calendar months in advance, this article is for you. I’m sure a lot of you were sad that you missed out on some amazing performances and events, so here are my top 5 spring semester events that I am looking forward to! 

  1. Harambee

ASU hosts the famous event known as Harambee! This even includes cultural dances, traditional fashion shows, and plays. With a wide variety of performances, best be sure that I am already thinking about where I am going to sit!

  1. Lunar New Year Festival (LNYF)

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, the Asian American Student Association presents our annual Lunar New Year Festival! This year’s LNYF will feature over 350 student performers and 20 different acts. I remember watching Tinkling at Spotlight and was mesmerized. Be there or be squared.

  1. Vivid Dance Battle

If you enjoyed the VIVID showcase last semester, just WAIT until this semester. This time around, there will be more groups and more songs. If you enjoy K-pop and even if you don’t it will be a fun night! (also I may or may not be involved in this one hehe) 

  1. Commons Ball 

Ah yes, a night to dress fancy. You know I’ve had a dress in my closet that has been collecting dust and now I have the perfect opportunity to use it. Also, don’t forget your masks and keep the night mysterious! It will be like our own Another Cinderella Story!

  1. BSA: The Black Affair

Another opportunity to dress to impress. All who like dressing up say, “I.”

If you would like to know about these events, stay tuned on MCL for more information, or head to anchor link for more details!

Top 5 Best Christmas Activities in Nashville

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Hey y’all! Are we southern enough to say that yet? Well it’s Abbey, and this Christmas season, I’m going to show everyone how to get into the Christmas spirit– Nashville style, of course.

#5: Music City Christmas

This is a music city tradition! For all you performance lovers, the Nashville Symphony puts on a one-of-a-kind experience at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, only ten minutes from the commons! So if you’re still in town on December 18th, you can come to see dancing, Broadway singers, and special guests — including Santa Claus himself! Tickets are a bit pricey, so if you’re unable to attend, I still have four more events for you!

#4: Visit Savannah’s Candy Kitchen

Now what would this list be if I didn’t tell you where you could live out your Candy Cane Lane dreams. Savannah’s Candy Kitchen is only ten minutes away from the Commons, so if you’re looking for the perfect way to reward yourself after finals… this is the place.

#3: Holiday Lights at Cheekwood

The Holiday Lights at Cheekwood features gorgeous light displays along a one-mile walking path that sets the gardens aglow. With sparkling interactive features, s’mores and bar stations, and a 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the bedecked historic mansion Holiday Lights is a stop you’ll want to see. Though this place is about a 20 minute drive away from the Commons, there are also discounted admission just for college students! Just pitch in for the Uber fare with your friends and make some awesome memories.

#2: Try a New Flavor from Jeni’s

By now, you’ve probably heard of the famous Jeni’s ice cream shop. To get you into the Christmas spirit, Jeni’s is offering limited time flavors such as white chocolate peppermint, Mexican hot chocolate, pistachio macaron, and cranberry crumble; perfect for the holidays! Jeni’s is only a ten minute walk from the Commons, and you can use your Commodore Cash there! If you’re having trouble finding me after my economics final, just go to the Jeni’s and you’ll catch me with a pint of that white chocolate peppermint.

#1: Go Ice Skating at Enchant

Enchant is truly the place to be if you want to live out all of your Hallmark Christmas movie dreams. This place is literally presented by Hallmark, and if that doesn’t scream Christmas magic, I don’t know what does. There’s something for everyone here. If you’re not into ice skating, you can walk through the world’s largest Christmas maze, see live entertainment, do some cute shopping, and meet Santa in all his glory.

Final Thoughts:

I know finals are stressful, so remember to practice self-care. Hey, maybe by giving yourself a break and visiting one of these places. Whether you’re going home for winter break or staying on campus, I hope you have a very, merry Christmas and a happy holiday.

MCL Top 5 – Top 5 Ways to Cope with the Cold Weather

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One day it was a beautiful 75 degrees here at Vanderbilt and the next it was bitterly cold with a high of 40 degrees. Although I’m from California, which might make me one of the least qualified people on campus to present ways to deal with the cold, here is a list of my top 5 ways I’ve attempted to cope with the sudden drop in temperature.

  1. Planning fun activities for Thanksgiving and Winter Break

As the weather gets colder we are also getting closer to Thanksgiving and Winter Break. I’m excited to go home for the first time since arriving in Nashville in August and planning fun activities with friends and family has helped me to see the upside in the arrival of winter!

  1. Taking advantage of the Vandy Vans 

Living on Commons means getting used to long walks from main campus during the day, but at night, remember to take advantage of the Vandy Vans! The Vandy Ride service runs from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m daily, with pick-up spots all over campus, including one by Hank with easy access to most of the freshman dorms. If you download the DoubleMap app you can track the location of the Vandy Vans to minimize time spent waiting outside in the cold for the bus to come by.  

  1. Trying the seasonal Starbucks drinks

On November 2nd, right about when the warm weather left Nashville, Starbucks announced the return of their seasonal drinks and food. With options including the Peppermint Mocha, the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, or the Iced Sugar Cookie almond milk Latte, there is no shortage of choices for festive drinks to help warm up.

  1. Appreciating the brighter mornings

Saying goodbye to the sun at around 4:30 p.m. every day since daylight savings last week has been a difficult adjustment, especially as the weather suddenly got much colder. However, there is an upside to daylight savings time, which is that it is brighter in the morning again. On days when I have to wake up early, I’m grateful that it’s not dark outside. 

  1. Listening to festive music 

Looking ahead to the holiday season is a great way to appreciate the cold! Spotify and Apple music both have great holiday playlists to listen to on the walk to classes that can help to distract from the morning chill in the air. 

MCL Top 5: Ways to De-Stress

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It’s officially that time of year:  midterm stress, overflowing sums of homework, and sleep deprivation. While the late October academic slump might seem unavoidable… here are a few ways to overcome it.

5) Go on a walk

Not only are walks a great way to clear your mind, Vanderbilt’s campus is absolutely beautiful in the fall. For your next study session, take a break by going on a fifteen to twenty minute walk around Commons.

4) Find a new restaurant/cafe near campus

Explore the area around Vanderbilt and treat yourself to some coffee, ice cream, pizza, whatever you feel like.

3) Workout with a friend.

Working out reaps several benefits when dealing with stress. Maybe hit the rec center and try out the treadmill. Play frisbee on Wyatt lawn with your roommate. Whatever physical activity you decide on, it’s important to get up and get active!

2) Switch up your study spot.

if your’e one who routinely studies in the same spot, allow yourself to venture into a new territory. Seriously, a new environment can stimulate thinking and increase productivity.

  1. Get some sleep!!!

If you find yourself studying in Stevenson until 2 AM every night and barely getting sleep, it’s time to change your study/sleeping habits. Your current method is simply not sustainable. Getting sleep helps you not only retain information but also improves your mood. Close the textbook and head to bed.

MCL Top 5: Halloween Episodes

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Everyone always talks about Halloween movies, but what about Halloween episodes? If there’s one thing that I look forward to every Halloween season, it’s to rewatch the Halloween specials from my favorite shows. There’s so many great ones out there that it was incredibly hard to choose just 5. Nevertheless, here is a list of my Top 5 Favorite Halloween Episodes!

  1. Gravity Falls, “Summerween”

Looking to feel some nostalgia this Halloween? Look no further than Disney XD’s Gravity Falls. From urban legends to trick-or-treating, “Summerween” has the perfect balance of spookiness and silliness.

2. The Office, “Halloween”

At Dunder Mifflin, you’re always in for a crazy time–especially during Halloween season. Full of wickedly creative costumes and workplace drama, it’s not your typical office Halloween party.

3. Bojack Horseman, “Mr. Peanutbutter’s Boos”

While Bojack Horseman may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it remains high on my list of Netflix originals. Using beautifully-crafted transitions from one Halloween party to another, “Mr. Peanutbutter’s Boos” gives fans a crash course on Mr. PB’s romantic history. This episode is a great example of how the show depicts character development (or, as in this case, a lack thereof) in a hilarious yet realistic way.

4. Glee, “The Rocky Horror Glee Show”

I am a proud Gleek, so there was no way I wasn’t going to include “The Rocky Horror Glee Show” on this list. I absolutely love the spin that the McKinley students put on Rocky Horror. The costumes, the vocals, just about everything was *chefs kiss*

5. Euphoria, “The Next Episode”

Euphoria never fails to have the most breathtakingly beautiful visuals and cinematography–and the Halloween episode was no exception. I miss the thrill of Euphoria Sundays and scrolling through the Euphoria hashtag on Twitter after every episode. I can’t believe I have to wait until 2024 for the new season</3

MCL Top 5: Top 5 Tips for Nashville Concerts

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There are so many amazing opportunities to hear live music in Nashville; the title of music city is truly well deserved. Below is a list of my top 5 takeaways from the concerts I’ve been to in my first few months at Vanderbilt! 

  1. Trying different venues

While there is nothing quite like belting the lyrics to “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers alongside thousands of other fans in the Bridgestone area, there’s also something special about the atmosphere at small concerts, for example, at the Basement East where Charlie Burg played this past Monday. The Bridgestone arena can seat up to 20,000 people whereas some of the smaller venues can only accommodate about 400. The experience will be different at a small concert where you can clearly see the artist on the stage compared to a large venue which can utilize a variety of fun special effects like confetti and lights, and there’s value in trying both! 

  1. Making a timely exit

Leaving a concert during the last song, if you’re up for it, is a great way to ensure a timely return to campus. It can be a good idea to call the Uber before you have even exited the building! When I went to see The Killers my friends and I stayed through the last song then called the Uber once we were outside and we had to wait almost an hour for it to arrive! When Pitbull had a concert at Bridgestone we left about one minute before the last song ended and made it back to the dorms by 11:30 p.m., in time for one of my friends to finish a homework assignment tragically due at 11:59 that night. 

  1. Take advantage of free concerts and Vanderbilt events

So far this semester Vanderbilt has had a few artists perform on campus, including Flo Milli and Two Friends, and tickets for these concerts are usually cheaper than ones off campus. The audience is always full of the familiar faces of fellow Vanderbilt students, which is fun! In addition, Nashville has some free options to see live music, including the annual music festival Live on the Green and the live music that can always be heard on a walk through Centennial Park or down Broadway. 

  1. Making the most of your seats

I sat in Section 333, row P when my friends and I went to the Killers concert, which is pretty much as far away from the stage as you can get. But the concert was still amazing! The energy from the crowd was incredible and the large projection screens, special effects, and many dippin dots stands that the Bridgestone arena had to offer ensured an unforgettable night despite our less than great seats. 

  1. “Live life, don’t let life live you” 

Pitbull was not shy about sharing advice with the crowd at his concert on October 9th. One saying that stood out was “Live life, don’t let life live you.” This statement might seem nonsensical at first, but upon further reflection, it’s clear that these are wise words from Pitbull … My takeaway was that as hectic as college can get, it’s important to keep living life, whether that means going to a concert every once and a while or just taking a scenic walk around Nashville to hear some live music. 

MCL Top 5: Corn Foods you Should Try

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“Look at this thing. I can’t imagine a more beautiful thing.” – Tariq, CEO of corn

In honor of seven year old Tariq, AKA the corn kid, here are five corn recipes you should try…

5) Corn Fritters

Corn Fritter: a delicious, fried corn cake. Yummy. Do you think the corn kid would approve?

4) Corn Soufflé

This dish is a corn lover’s dream. It’s creamy and bursting with the beautiful flavor of corn. I have a feeling Tariq would love it.

3) Sweet Corn Cupcakes

I saw this on a Cupcake Wars episode once, and ever since have wanted to try it. I’m still waiting for the day I can bite into a corn cupcake.

2) Sweet Corn Ice Cream

I know, this one is bit on the weirder side. However, don’t knock it until you try it. I mean, I haven’t tried it, but I’m convinced corn ice cream has got to be delicious.

1) Mexican Street Corn

I finally got to try Elote this summer. As Tariq would say, it’s “corntastic”! Seriously, this dish is a burst of amazing flavors. Love at first bite.

MCL Top 5: A Week in Review (Yik Yak Edition)

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You’ve heard of it and have most likely been peer-pressured to download one of the hottest apps for college students on campus right now—Yik Yak, a social media platform with a feed that features anonymous posts “yakked” from people in your local area. While many of the popular ones are a bit too weird and scandalous to be included in this article, we’ve filtered through the Yaks of the week to recap what’s been going on in the Vanderbubble:

1. The dreaded 🧪 gen chem exam 🧪 was the talk of Commons as all the pre-med students struggled in solidarity trying to study for Thursday night. We know you’ve seen the messages written in chalk between the walk from the bridge and Stevenson… it would’ve been more helpful to graffiti equations or whatever, but I guess it’s the thought that counts??

2. Sore topic. Enough said. Did we really want Bama, guys?? 🥲

3. It’s almost time for sweater and pumpkin spice latte weather! The walks to class in the mornings for the past few days have been perfect, but the afternoons always throw a wrench in the fashionista’s ambitious outfit plans for the entire day—see the girlies who are already wearing knit sweaters 🥵 Supposedly, it’s going to get chillier this week with lows in the high 40s and highs in the low-mid 70s though!

4. I had to balance out the HOD hate with some STEM slander 🙈 I’m sure you’ve already heard about the overexaggerated caricatures and assumptions people have about certain majors on campus… take them with a boulder-sized grain of salt if you must partake in the clownery of these two popular majors!

5. A lot of Yaks didn’t make it on here for obvious reasons, but here’s a wholesome and relatable one for all of us to reflect on 💛