My Commons Life

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

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Five Learning Techniques to Improve Your Studying

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As finals season approaches, it is important to make sure we are studying as efficiently as possible. So, I wanted to share five learning techniques based on learning sciences that will help you ace all of your exams and even save time studying.

#1: The Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is something I used everyday throughout high school. I attended an alternative school where we did all of our academic work online and independently, so the Pomodoro Technique was used to break up our work time and help keep us focused throughout the day. Here’s how it works: You set a timer for typically 25 minutes (but you can choose however long is best for you) and treat that as focused work time. Then, you have another timer for typically 5 minutes, and that is your break time. Then, repeat this cycle! One article lists several benefits of the Pomodoro Technique including that it “Encourages focused work…Helps you get started…Improves efficiency…Reduces stress and anxiety,” all of which are incredibly helpful for college students.

#2: The Feynman Technique

The Feynman Technique has a few steps. First, you study a concept. Then, you try to teach it to someone else (this can be an imaginary or real audience). After that, you fill in the gaps you may have noticed and finally work to simplify the concept. If you can simplify something to the point where you could explain it to others, this is good evidence that you’ve mastered a concept. As Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, you don’t understand it yourself.”

#3: Interleaved Practice

Interleaved Practice is very useful, especially if you are studying for multiple different subjects or several related topics. Interleaved Practice is a strategy where you alternate between different topics and is scientifically proven to increase your reception of what you are learning. It can also be helpful to not get so bored of studying the same topic for extended periods of time. For instance, if you are reviewing several different types of math problems for your upcoming exam, mix the problems up instead of just doing one type at a time.

#4: Dual Coding Theory

Dual Coding Theory “assumes that there are two cognitive subsystems, one specialized for the representation and processing of nonverbal objects/events (i.e., imagery), and the other specialized for dealing with language.” Basically, this learning strategy is based on the way our brains connect visual and verbal information. For example, when someone says the word “apple,” you immediately imagine a round, red object. So, when you are studying, it can be helpful to create visual and verbal cues for concepts you are learning. You can do this through watching videos, putting images into your notes, or even drawing images on flashcards. 

#5: The Leitner System

The Leitner System allows your flashcard studying to reach its maximum potential. In this system, you create multiple different boxes of flashcards that you review at different periods of frequency. If you get a flashcard wrong, it moves into a box that you study more often, and if you get one right, it moves to a box that you study less often. Here is an article explaining the system in more detail if you are interested in trying it. All in all, the Leitner System is designed to help you master the concepts you are studying and consistently recall them.

I hope that you can utilize some of these strategies as we approach the end of the semester. I have utilized all of these before and can confirm they are extremely helpful!

Common Ground, Uncommon Lives: Tales from the Commons

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1.) Emile Marija

Emile is a passionate and dedicated individual with a strong commitment to leadership and community service. She graduated high school from UWC ISAK Japan, one of the 18 United World Colleges, where the focus on leadership and community engagement shaped her experiences. At ISAK, she was the president of the student council, leader of the Journalism Club, and an Outdoor Education leader, roles that allowed her to make a significant impact on her school and local community.

Through Outdoor Education, she not only became wilderness first aid certified but also organized and led trips such as hiking, skiing, canyoning, and rafting. Some memorable adventures included climbing Mt. Fuji, cycling 110 km around the 5 Fuji lakes, and watching a sunrise atop a local volcano. In addition to Outdoor Education, she was involved in dance, founded an archery club, and led a Bible Study. She also took on a leadership role in the First Aid Club for some time, further demonstrating her versatility and commitment to helping others.

Fluent in both Lithuanian and English, she is currently improving her Spanish and has some understanding of German and Japanese. Her dream career is still evolving, but she hopes to pursue something related to policy. She has a deep love for travel and unforgettable journeys, such as hitchhiking through Norway to go canyoning and a two-week European adventure with a close friend. More recently, she has traveled through Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali with friends from ISAK, adding to a collection of meaningful experiences. Alongside her love for travel, she is incredibly proud of her Lithuanian heritage, often reflecting on the country’s beauty, culture, and history.

Now pursuing a degree in Arts and Sciences with a major in Human and Organizational Development (HOD) and Economics, Emile brings a unique combination of leadership, service, and global perspective. Her passion for community, adventure, and learning will no doubt lead her to great accomplishments in the future.

Thriving Through Daylight Saving: Tips for Handling Shorter Days

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If you didn’t know, the clocks were set back an hour on Sunday thanks to daylight saving time. The extra hour of sleep was certainly nice, but if you’re like me, you’ve been dreading the fact that the days are only going to get shorter and shorter. In fact, in the winter in Nashville, the sun sets as early as 4:30pm! This early sunset time can have negative impacts on productivity, mood, and motivation, so I want to share some tips for how to handle this change.

#1 – Adjust Your Sleep Schedule

Of course, the fact that it gets darker so much earlier makes us tired earlier, and this can actually be a good thing for us likely sleep-deprived college students. The earlier darkness can motivate us to get to sleep a little earlier and maybe even wake up earlier. The importance of sleep can never be underestimated and getting a good night’s sleep will lead to more success in our academic and personal life.

#2 – Make Good Use of Daylight Hours

Because the daylight hours are increasingly limited, it is important to make use of time where it is light out. Especially before it gets cold, we should spend as much time outside as possible. Being outside and getting sunshine is good for your health and keeps energy up. Go on walks with your friends, study outside, or play sports on the lawn as much as you can, especially while it still isn’t too cold out.

#3 – Stay Out of Your Room

For me, one of the best things to improve my productivity, mood, and motivation is to get out of my dorm room. Especially if it’s dark out, I find it nearly impossible to do anything productive in my dorm. It’s easy to feel isolated, exhausted, and unmotivated while in a small room without any natural daylight, especially if your roommate isn’t in the room. So, it’s essential to get out of your room in the late afternoon/early evening hours when it starts to get dark. Study in your common room or the library, go to the gym, or just spend time around other people. 

#4 – Prioritize Exercise and Health

As winter approaches and the days get shorter and shorter, it is incredibly important to prioritize exercise and overall health in order to keep our productivity and mood up. Making sure you are exercising and eating well because this makes a huge difference in your productivity and energy during the approaching winter months.

#5 – Cultivate a Good Dorm Room Environment

Another thing that can be a big help is making sure that your dorm room is well-lit and organized. As I said earlier, getting out of your dorm room as much as you can is important, but we are obviously still going to spend a decent amount of time in our dorms. So, making sure that your dorm environment makes you feel both comfortable and motivated is essential. Make sure you have good lighting and a clean space to return to in the evening.

I know that I will be making use of these quick tips and I hope that they can come in handy for you as well! Thanks for reading!

Common Ground, Uncommon Lives: Tales from the Commons

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1.) Emily Benfield

Meet Emily Benfield! She is a dedicated and resilient individual originally from Newport, Rhode Island, but has also lived in California and Virginia Beach (Where she now lives). She has a lived a very unique journey. In fifth grade Emily was diagnosed with Dyslexia and Developmental Coordination Disorder. Facing these early challenges, Emily developed a strong work ethic and a knack for creative problem-solving, traits she now channels into her aspiration to become a teacher. She aims to support students in overcoming their own obstacles, drawing from her personal experiences. Which she wrote about in her Application to Vanderbilt, stating, “Disadvantages are Advantages.”

On top of this, she has been actively engaged in her community through her organization of two impactful events: the Love Run and the Color Run. The Love Run, coordinated with two local high schools, raised over $50,000 to help cover medical expenses for children facing extended hospital stays at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD). Meanwhile, the Color Run was a heartfelt tribute to a loved one who passed due to cancer complications, raising funds and bringing the community together in their memory.

Additionally, Emily was deeply involved in theater, where she took on roles as a technical supervisor and assistant director, overseeing set design, construction, and actor coordination—sometimes staying as late as 9 p.m. to ensure production quality! Her favorite musical she was a part of was, “The Little Mermaid,” and her favorite play was, “Puffs.”

Ultimately, Emily is very service-orientated and willing to help others. She is incredible kind, dedicated and a loyal friend. She has a genuine compassion that stands out in her community and will accomplish many great things.

Commons Houses as Hunger Games Characters

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1.) Hank

Let’s be honest—we all saw this one coming. Hank is the President Snow of the group, lurking in the shadows with more schemes than Netflix has shows. No, Hank’s not winning the Hunger Games, but they might just be the puppet master pulling all the strings from behind the scenes.

2.) Crawford

Crawford? Oh, they’re Thresh. Noble, competent, with a strong moral compass that would make even Katniss nod approvingly. Can they win the Hunger Games? Maybe. It really depends on how the dice roll (or how the sponsors feel that day). They’ve got a chance, though—don’t count them out.

3.) Sutherland

Sutherland is basically the Mockingjay, no debate. With their strength, kindness, and teamwork skills, they could not only win the Hunger Games but might just lead a rebellion against Hank—sorry, I mean President Snow. Sutherland for District 12’s MVP, anyone?

4.) Stambaugh

Stambaugh is the Peeta Mellark to Sutherland’s Katniss. (Yes, TEAM PEETA ALL THE WAY!) With strength, a big heart, and that “everyone loves them” vibe, they’ve got what it takes to win the Hunger Games and probably bake you a cake while doing it.

5.) East

Now, East is Caesar Flickerman, no question. With a personality so entertaining and charming, they’re definitely not winning the Hunger Games, but they’re making it an absolute blast to watch. Whether that’s good or bad? Well, that’s up to you to decide.

6.) Murray

Murray students are mysterious, powerful, and, from what I hear, just a smidge unhinged, which lands them as Clove. Sure, with a power score of ten, they’ve got the skills, but their impulsive nature? Yeah, I’m not seeing a Hunger Games win. But they’ll definitely make an impression.

7.) West

West is Finnick Odair, hands down. Loyal, caring, and with heart-warming charm, they’re an instant fan favorite. Do I see them winning the Hunger Games? No, but only because they’d probably sacrifice themselves for the greater good—and honestly, we’d all cry like we did during that one scence in the sewer.

8.) Memorial

Memorial is Rue—smart, skilled, and incredibly lovable. They might not be the one taking home the victory, but they’re the quiet, stealthy competition you didn’t see coming, and a crowd favorite for sure. Tribute goals.

9.) North

North is fierce, fearless, and unapologetically ruthless—basically Cato, but with better hair (seriously). While they charge headfirst into every challenge, quick decisions might just be their downfall. A win in the Hunger Games? Unlikely, but you wouldn’t want to cross them in the arena.

10.) Gillette

Free-spirited, creative, and driven, Gillette is 100% Lucy Gray Baird in the flesh. With that inspiring, big-hearted energy, they’ve got a real shot at winning the Hunger Games. Cue the folksy victory song—this one’s bound to be a fan favorite at commons and in the districts.

Why You Shouldn’t Skip Class (even when it is pouring rain)

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When my alarm went off at 7:45am on Friday morning, I nearly wanted to cry. “I cannot believe I have to get up and go to class,” I thought. I was exhausted, was still getting over a cold, went to sleep way too late the night before, and had just had an exam in that class two days prior. Still half asleep, I started trying to convince myself to skip class:

“There’s nothing important you’re going to learn anyways because you just had an exam!”

“Just sleep an extra hour; you’ll feel so much better after.”

Then, I realized that it was pouring rain outside – this was during the hurricane after all. Yet another reason to skip class. I mean, who wants to walk twenty minutes in the pouring rain? I went back and forth in my mind for a few minutes on whether I should go to class. 

And in the end, I decided to go. As I was walking outside of my dorm building, I got a text from my friend from the class that read, “We going today?” I replied that, yes, after much debate, I was going to class. My two friends responded with sad face emojis.

When I finally made it to class (not without my jeans getting totally soaked) I was faced with a pretty much empty lecture hall. But, my two friends showed up. They told me that they decided they would ask me if I was going and do whatever I did, which I did feel kind of bad about. But, of course, our professor ended up taking attendance that day even though he usually doesn’t because of how few people showed up. Besides that very small extra-credit increase for participation, I wouldn’t have missed much if I had skipped class. Yet I am glad I made the decision to go, and I want to explain to you why. These reasons certainly apply to why you should generally show up to class (that’s not to say there aren’t times when it is actually the right choice to skip), but they also apply to the choices we make in our lives in general.

#1: It only gets easier…

The truth is, things like skipping classes are a slippery slope. When you do it once, it’s suddenly a lot easier to do it again, and again, and again. And I know myself and just how much I hate waking up in the morning. If I skipped class last Friday, I’d definitely skip it again, and it would probably require way fewer reasons than I had on Friday. 

It’s really easy to create bad habits, and maintaining good habits is essential to being successful in college. If we let ourselves skip class, get behind on readings, leave problems sets for the last day, or show up late to our club meetings, it’s only a matter of time before this becomes the norm. At the moment, these choices may seem insignificant. But, they easily and quickly can become habits that hold us back from being the college students we want to be.

#2: The right choices are beneficial

In my class example, I actually would have faced a consequence for missing class and not getting the participation code. But, especially when we get out into the real world, there isn’t always a clear external incentive such as grades encouraging us to make the right choices. Even if it’s not immediately obvious, though, there are consequences when we choose to cut corners or skip out on things we know are beneficial to us.

It’s also important to remember that we are all extremely lucky to be receiving our education, especially at a place like Vanderbilt. I will be the first to admit that attending lectures often feels like a total waste of time. In general, though, I do believe that showing up to class is beneficial and at the very least keeps you engaged with your classes and the Vanderbilt community. Again, this applies to more than just attending class. In life, there are often many things that we don’t always want to do in the moment but we know deep down cause more benefit than harm.

#3: Don’t make excuses

Finally, there are few things more important than being disciplined. Discipline is at the core of how we live a fulfilling and productive life. We should always avoid making excuses for ourselves, because as I said earlier, this will only get easier and easier to do. If we let things like rain stop us from getting up and attending a class we know we should be at, we are chipping away at our discipline. Again, this might not seem like the biggest deal at the time, but it starts a bad habit that may come back to bite us in the end.

If we make our decisions in life based on our ever-changing emotions and immediate desires, we will end up making a lot of harmful decisions. And, we will skip out on the decisions that end up bringing us the most benefit. Staying disciplined and avoiding excuses is what allows us to be productive and ultimately happier.

Now, my intent in writing this is not to brag about how I would never skip a class (I have no doubt I will at some point) or that skipping class is the worst decision you could ever make (sometimes it is the right decision!). Instead, I hope I was able to show how something like skipping class can have more of an impact than we might initially realize. Also, these points can apply to so many different aspects of our life and are just generally important to keep in mind.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and, of course, enjoy attending your classes!

Spotify Playlists for Vandy Freshman

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I am always searching for songs and Spotify playlists to match my emotions or whatever I’m experiencing, and I’m sure many of you do the same. Being in college comes with many new experiences and emotions, so I wanted to share some Spotify playlists to match them!

Sometimes you need an upbeat, confident playlist to listen to on the way to your big exam. Music can actually have a big impact on your mood, so listening to positive and confident music will help you feel the same going into your exam.

Here are some other, more chill playlists to stream before your exams. These songs will put you in a good mental state and even calm your anxiety before the test.

Before I came to college, I mostly listened to music in the car. But since I’ve been at Vanderbilt, most of my music listening has been while I’m walking around campus. If I’m having a tough day, feeling tired, or just don’t feel like going to class, listening to music on my walk can help improve my mood and energize me. So, here are two playlists for walking to class and romanticizing your college life.

Most of us have probably been spending a TON of time studying – the workload at Vanderbilt can be a lot! But, having just the right playlist can make studying so much better and the time go by faster. This playlist is perfect for studying around campus, especially now that it is officially fall!

Here is some study music specifically for when you really need to lock in. This playlist has more instrumental songs and music that will really help you focus.

Of course, one of the main parts of college is spending time with your friends. So, here is a playlist to put on when you’re hanging out with all of your friends or just want happy, social songs!

This is a fun playlist I found full of older songs that will make you feel like you’re going to college in the 1990s. I love when music can transport you to a different time period!

We are in Nashville, so we pretty much all have to be country music fans by default! Here is a playlist titled “Nashville Hits” to get you connected to the music made here in Nashville.

Another very real part of college is feeling homesick. Even if you’ve been loving Vanderbilt, it’s still natural to be struck with feelings of homesickness and missing your family and friends back home. Sometimes, we just need music that connects with some of the more difficult emotions we might be experiencing, and this playlist is perfect for that.

Finally, with fall just beginning, I had to include a fall playlist! As someone who lived in Texas my whole life where we didn’t really have the stereotypical fall season, I’m excited to romanticize the cooler weather and orange leaves and this playlist will definitely help me do that.

Thanks for reading and I hope these playlists can be a part of your daily life here at Vanderbilt!

Lessons I have learned in my first month as a college student:

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“The days are long, but the weeks are short,” an older friend once told me upon reflecting on her first year of college. As I have begun to settle into my routine, I can’t think of a more accurate sentiment. Our busy days feel strenuous in the moment, but constant activities keep our minds flying so fast that we have little time to process them. 

So here we are, one month into our college experience. Each of us holding onto our own overwhelming amount of moments and lessons to reflect on, but here are some of mine:

We all had preconceived ideas of how college would play out, and whether you were fearful or unbearably excited, I am sure there have been moments that surprised you or played out differently than you would have imagined. What I have learned is that things won’t fall into place as quickly as predicted. Maybe this was a product of my high expectations and overexcitement, but everything good takes time, whether that be friendships, finding impactful study methods, or getting involved with clubs. 

Speaking of getting involved with clubs or organizations, that is another challenge in itself. I would have never expected how hard it would be to get involved. After endless rounds of applications, resume edits, and information sessions, I find myself itching to just be a part of something. Patience is certainly a virtue we are exercising during this time period, and it is quite challenging to be a freshman trying to expand your circle when you have to go through such extensive processes to do so. On the topic of building a social network and making friends, it’s easy to feel removed from the rest of campus as a freshman living on the Commons. This environment can feel like an echo chamber with only freshmen who are equally as new and inexperienced with college life as you are. Talking with upperclassmen is like a breath of fresh air, and we truly have so much to learn from their experiences, so I would recommend chatting with older students as much as possible. 

On Mondays and Wednesdays, I have a fifteen-minute window to get from Commons to Buttrick Hall. Everyone made it very clear to me that I would be booking it to that class and that, in general, the walk back to Commons from Main Campus was god awful. In this first month of classes, I have been pleasantly surprised with the fact that the walks do not take as long as everyone had warned me. Even on the hottest days, I enjoy those solitary moments on the way to and from class. 

Before the school year started, I was nervous for lecture classes and worried about feeling like such a small fish in a large pond. However, I have encountered professors who genuinely strive to offer support in any way possible. They may express their helpfulness in intimidating or stern ways, but they are here to assist you, and they want you to approach them for that assistance. 

Whether it’s a challenging class or spending time with groups of people that you don’t know, there are going to be situations that make you uncomfortable. It’s way easier to hide from that discomfort, but I’ve grown to realize that those moments are crucial for progression. We all grow in various ways and navigate this new experience at different rates. Some people take the time to quietly process how they are feeling, while others stay crazy busy and keep pushing forward to avoid those slow and quiet moments. All of us need to keep in mind that this is everyone else’s first month in college as well and that each freshman is trying just as hard as you are to find their place.

Journaling Prompts for College Freshman

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If you know me, you know that I am an avid journal-keeper. For the past four years, I’ve written down pretty much everything that’s happened in my life. Journaling is a great way to process your emotions, capture memories, and reflect on your life. Feel free to check out an article I wrote titled How Journaling Changed My Life to learn more about the value and benefits of journaling. Today, I want to share some journaling prompts (or just questions to think about!) that are applicable to us freshman after our first month of college.

Journaling Prompts:

How have I grown in my independence since living away from home?

What subjects or classes are most exciting to me?

How have I been working to build meaningful relationships?

How can I manage stress or other challenging emotions?

How can I better take care of myself and establish a healthy lifestyle and routine?

What have I learned about myself since starting college?

How have I been doing academically?

What has been my favorite memory or experience of the first month of college?

What has been the hardest part of the first month of college?

How have I seen myself grow in the past month?

What have I enjoyed most about being at a school like Vanderbilt?

What is something I want to contribute to the Vanderbilt community?

Quotes About Journaling & Self-Reflection

I hope these prompts can inspire your journal-entries or just be questions to reflect on! Finally, I want to share some quotes about the importance of journaling and personal reflection.

“Journal writing gives us insights into who we are, who we were, and who we can become.” – Sandra Marinella

“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” – Anne Frank

“Keeping a journal of what’s going on in your life is a good way to help you distill what’s important and what’s not.” – Martina Navratilova

“Without deep reflection, one knows from daily life that one exists for other people.” – Albert Einstein

“Self-reflection is the secret of introspection, and introspection is the gateway to wisdom.” – Richelle E. Goodrich

“Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.” – Christina Baldwin

“Self-reflection is the school of wisdom.” – Baltasar Gracián

“A breed apart from the diarists who write simply to collect the days or preserve impressions of foreign places are those who set out in their books to discover who they really are. These are generally very serious people, more in the way of pilgrims, with inward destinations, than mere travelers. Some of them are after the sight of God; others are out to realize their full ‘potential,’ spiritual and otherwise; and some of them are carrying burdens of suffering they are unsure they can shoulder—they want to use their diaries to test, and add to, their strength.” – Thomas Mallon

Thanks for reading and I hope you all have a great week!

Study Tips for Freshman

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The semester is certainly picking up, and a lot of us freshmen are in the midst of our first college exams. You may be feeling overwhelmed by the workload and anxious about your upcoming exams – I know I have been! So, I compiled some helpful study tips that have been helping me and can hopefully help you.

Find Study Spots on Campus!

I’ve only been at Vanderbilt for a few weeks, but I’ve already found an abundance of great study spots. Something I love about Vanderbilt is how there is always somewhere to go and study. I don’t like studying in my dorm room, so I’m always looking for places on campus to get my work done. Here are a few of my favorite study spots:

These chairs behind the Commons Center are a great place to study, especially when the weather is nice! And I promise they are more comfortable than they may look.

The libraries on campus are obviously a great place to get your work done because you have to be quiet and everyone around you is also focused. Here are some pictures of three of the libraries on campus, Stevenson Library, Peabody Library, and Central Library.

There are so many great places outside to study, and the lawn chairs around Commons are a perfect way to enjoy the last few weeks of summer and get your work done!

Study With Friends!

Another great thing about being at Vanderbilt is that you are surrounded by people who also need to study and want to be successful in school. So, studying with friends is the perfect thing to do. You can be social while still getting your work done and you can hold each other accountable. For example, you and your friends could all put your phones in the middle of the table to make sure you don’t get distracted. Also, scheduling study times with friends will motivate you to actually go and study.

Stay Organized!

    Being students at Vanderbilt, there is so much to keep track of. We have assignments in multiple classes, upcoming exams, and club meetings. So, it is essential to find a way to stay organized. I like to keep it simple and make a To Do List for each day on a GoogleDoc. Maybe you like to write things down and want to get a physical planner. Some people just add all their due dates and meetings to GoogleCalendar. I’ve also seen some well-designed GoogleSheets where people keep track of all their assignments. If you haven’t already, take the time to find the ways that you can stay organized in the midst of our busy schedules!

    Thanks for reading and I hope this gave you some useful tips and the motivation to be productive! I know we all have the ability to succeed here at Vanderbilt; it’s just about taking advantage of the campus, finding what works for you, and staying organized!