My Commons Life

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

MCL Top Five

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 💛

MCL Top 5 : Top 5 ways to prepare for fall at Vanderbilt

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This weekend October begins! I’ve been listening to “Wake Me Up When September Ends” and checking outside my window every morning to see if the leaves have begun to change color. While fall did officially start on September 22nd this year, it usually doesn’t feel like fall is in full swing until October. Below is a list of top five ways you can start to get in the fall spirit!

1. Go to a pumpkin patch

There’s nothing that says fall is here like a visit to a pumpkin patch! According to one of my friends who’s from Nashville, there are many cute pumpkin patch farms in the area where you can buy a small pumpkin to put on your dorm room desk.

2. Take a walk around campus

I’m already in awe of how beautiful Vanderbilt’s campus is but I cannot wait to see it when fall is truly here. I’m eagerly waiting for campus to look like the photos that Vanderbilt uses in all its brochures. There’s nothing better than noticing the leaves change color little by little as during the daily trek to main campus from commons. 

3. Go to a Vanderbilt football game

Attending a football game with friends is the perfect way to spend an October Saturday. Anchor down!!

4. Start planning your halloween costume(s)

I can’t wait for halloween this year! It takes time to put together a good costume, so it’s never too early to start thinking about it, especially if you want to do a fun coordinated costume with friends!

5. Make a halloween playlist

Making a halloween or fall themed playlist to listen to while you study or walk around campus is a great way to make sure you start fall 2022 on the right foot!

MCL Top 5 On and Off Campus Must Tries

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Dining hall food is sometimes a hit or miss. Off-campus spots can either be underwhelming or surprisingly tasty. Here are some random foods that I honestly think deserve a chance (even for picky-eaters).

5) Kissam Acai bowls



I made it a mission to try the Kissam acai bowls upon my arrival at Vanderbilt. The acai base is pretty decent and once covered with toppings, you’ve got yourself a solid study snack. Side note, I’m pretty sure the crunch of the granola helps keep me awake when studying in Stevenson library.
Santana’s tip: personally I like nutella on my acai bowls. Kissam doesn’t have Nutella as a topping, but it is available in the munchie mart. I’d consider purchasing nutella, honey, or other toppings from the Munchie Mart if you decide to be a consistent Kissam acai consumer. That way you can jazz up your bowls even more!

4) Rothschild burgers


If you’re craving a burger and don’t feel like venturing off-campus, Rothschild is your best bet. The burgers are well-seasoned, and the grill station offers a wide variety of toppings, including caramelized onions. Everyone I’ve recommended a Rothschild burger to has not been disappointed!

3) Commons Belgian Waffles


I really do enjoy Commons breakfast. However, some days I’m more enthusiastic than others. These days happen to be when the Belgian waffles are on the Commons menu. These small, edible masterpieces are honestly quite tasty. They’re sweet, soft, and I’d wish they were on the menu more often.
Santana’s tip: The waffles are already pretty sweet; I would try them without syrup first.

2) Hopdoddy’s Milkshake


This weekend, I tried Hopdoddy’s for the first time. To get the full experience, I felt obligated to order a vanilla milkshake with my burger and fries. I’m no milkshake expert, but Hopdoddy’s was very delicious, an easy 9/10. It was smooth, creamy, not too heavy or thick, and a perfect amount of sweet. Sipping my milkshake was a delightful experience and I’m definitely making it a weekly occasion.
Santana’s tip: If you’re not already dipping your fries and your milkshake, it’s not too late to get with the trend. My friends also really enjoyed the oreo milkshake, so maybe give that one a try as well!

1) The Baked Bear Warm Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches


The other day, I was craving a chocolate chip cookie vanilla ice cream sandwich (I know, oddly specific). My friends and I finally settled on the Baked Bear to satisfy my cravings. While it is quite a walk down 21st avenue, the large assortment of flavorful cookies and ice creams was well worth the hike. Definitely try the warmed cookie ice cream sandwich… I guarantee it won’t disappoint.
Santana’s tip: the ratio of ice cream to cookie was greatly uneven, I’d ask for less ice cream on the sandwich to achieve the perfect bite of ice cream and cookie.









MCL Top 5: Items at the Commons Munchie Mart

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I’m sure we’ve all found ourselves with a handful of meal swipes left over after a long week of classes. But what does any smart Vanderbilt student do with their unused meal swipes? USE THEM UP AT THE MUNCHIE MART, OF COURSE! That’s why I’m gonna fill you in on my favorite things to pick up at the Commons Munchie Mart!

5. Velveeta Mac and Cheese

Don’t feel like leaving your room for dinner? Just microwave yourself a bowl of mac and cheese and you’re all good. Personally, I am a Velveeta enthusiast and think Kraft Mac and Cheese is a bit too sharp, but that’s just my (correct) opinion.

4. Bob’s Red Mill Oatmeal

In the mood for a somewhat healthy option? Bob’s Red Mill Oatmeal is actually a pretty solid breakfast option. Whenever I need to eat quickly before a 9am, I pop one of these in the microwave and add a bit of sugar (not healthy, but it’s the thought that counts!) 

3. Hot Cheetos

I’m a simple girl. If someone asks me what I want from the store, I just say Hot Cheetos and Sprite. Too bad the Munchie has no Sprite, but at least they have Cheetos🙌

2. Munchie Mart Machine Smoothies

A new addition to the Commons Munchie, the smoothie machines are already a hit! It’s so easy and convenient. All you have to do is select what flavor you want and the machine does the rest for you! My personal favorite is the mango smoothie, so refreshing!

  1. Nature Valley Sweet and Salty Almond Granola Bar

I LOVE these granola bars so so much, but they haven’t restocked since the first week of classes:(( They’ve only had the peanut kind lately💔 Please Vandy, I’m begging you to restock🙏🏽

My Top 5 Disney Princess Movies

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If you are anything like me, growing up I was very picky with what I liked to watch. I was also a troubled child so that could possibly be a contributing factor, but that’s beside the point. I vividly remember my childhood being surrounded by Disney Princess makeup kits and Cinderella shoes that my mom would always refuse to buy me. I miss when times used to be much simpler, so that being said, this week’s Top 5 will be my favorite Disney Princess movies, but the 2d versions. Keep in mind that these are based off of how many times I have watched each and they are all good! (Please don’t send me hate emails 🙂

5. Beauty and the Beast 

To start us off we have none other than Belle herself. I never really watched this movie growing up, but I watched the musical this past spring and grew a crush on Gustan so… Need I say more? Just kidding, the entire story is beautiful. You shouldn’t judge people so harshly over what you have heard. I mean the beast kind of lived up to his name in the beginning, but as the story went on we saw his character development. (He definitely needed that)

4. Princess and the Frog

BEFORE you say anything, hear me out first. It made me extremely sad to see Ray pass away. I am a cry baby when it comes to stuff like that. The soundtrack was amazing, so it helped me pull through the end of the movie a couple times, but it’s hard to do the more I watch it. 

3. Aladdin

Okay but.. Aladdin is my guy. All time crush for real. There’s just something about him being a thief I don’t know… But in all seriousness, I love Aladdin with all my heart because of the singinggg. The soundtrack is chef’s kiss. Which brings me to the top two…

2. Mulan

LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS

TO DEFEAT (HUH HUH), THE HUNSSS

That’s all I have to say on this. 

1.Hercules

I have watched this singular movie at least a million times. Hercules’ and I are married at this point. I was so invested with my fake relationship with Hercules to the point where I was like, “Who is Meg?” It’s all about me babyyyy! 

That’s about all I have to say, I just really love Hercules! The rest are kind of tied for 2nd in my heart.