My family has a tradition called “High-Low.” We go around and everyone shares their “high” – the best part of their day – and their “low” – the worst part. Last weekend, my “low” was that the band at a concert covered a One Direction song. And honestly, it wasn’t even one of their worst tracks! When that’s the low point of your weekend, you know it’s been a pretty incredible one, and mine certainly was.
Image alt text: A student smiles broadly, holding a large fish outdoors, highlighting unexpected moments in college life.
Apologies for the delayed first post! I intended to write last weekend, but my home state experienced severe flooding, which was a bit of a distraction. Thankfully, my family is safe, and this weekend was a complete 180 from the last. The weather was perfect: 70 degrees, sunny with a cool breeze. The leaves are displaying their full fall colors, from deep browns to vibrant oranges and Vanderbilt gold. Students and squirrels are everywhere, enjoying the weather and the anticipation of Fall break next week. Everyone’s focused on the final push through midterms. But guess who is midterm-free this week? That’s right, me!
With that setup, you can understand why it was shaping up to be a fantastic weekend regardless. However, a typical Vanderbilt weekend is never uneventful. Vanderbilt students often describe the school culture with the phrase “work hard, play hard.” And it’s absolutely true. Friday after classes, I joined a game of ultimate frisbee on the lawn with my Beta Upsilon Chi fraternity brothers. My team emerged victorious! Then, I quickly showered off the mud and sweat, changed into jeans and boots, and headed downtown for some line dancing with friends. Our friends from California and Illinois were a bit hesitant at first, but our Texan friends quickly showed them the ropes, and we had an absolute blast! Afterwards, we grabbed dinner at Mellow Mushroom, conveniently accepting meal money as part of Vanderbilt’s meal plan. I was planning to go to a party with the running club afterwards, but I ended up falling asleep – probably for the best, since Saturday started bright and early at 6 am.
Image alt text: A group of college students pose for a photo after line dancing, showcasing Vanderbilt’s vibrant social scene.
Yes, you read that right – 6 am on a Saturday, and I woke up willingly to run. In retrospect, maybe not the wisest choice, but it turned out great! Two friends and I had signed up for a 5k in German Town, another cool Nashville neighborhood, because we enjoy running and wanted to explore beyond the “Vandy Bubble.” What’s the Vandy Bubble, you ask? It’s the idea that Vanderbilt offers so many incredible activities on and around campus that students sometimes don’t venture out much. Personally, I don’t fully buy into it, considering my first weekend here involved cliff jumping in Alabama. Anyway, back to the race! Without bragging too much, out of over 1000 runners, my friends both finished in the top 10, and I was in the top 20. We even swept the top three spots in our age group. Vandy represent! We celebrated with a fantastic diner breakfast, which was also covered by our meal plan, and then I dedicated a solid five hours to homework. “Work hard, play hard” truly is the Vanderbilt motto, and it’s a rhythm we live by. It’s like the soundtrack to our college experience, a “Work Hard Play Hard Song” playing in the background.
Image alt text: A student focused on studies in a vibrant campus environment, reflecting Vanderbilt’s academic dedication.
Five hours of homework on a Saturday might sound intense, but I’d bet many of you reading this are already putting in similar hours. In college, it’s actually much more enjoyable. You’re studying subjects you’ve chosen, surrounded by friends tackling the same challenges. And at Vanderbilt, you get to do it all in a beautiful setting, especially when the weather is as perfect as it was this weekend. Overall, not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon. And there was a reward waiting! I got to see one of my favorite bands, Judah and the Lion, perform with Ben Rector at the legendary Ryman Auditorium! It was the second-best concert I’ve ever been to, and it softened the blow of the US soccer team’s loss to Mexico a little bit. Thought the night was over? Nope! I returned to my dorm and watched Gone Girl, as recommended by my roommate.
Today is Sunday, and the weekend isn’t even finished yet. I went to church with friends this morning, and the weather is still unbelievably nice. The crazy thing is, this weekend’s activity level was pretty average, maybe even slightly below average for Vanderbilt. Remember “work hard, play hard?” As amazing as the weekends are at Vanderbilt, the weekdays are just as fulfilling. Everyone here is driven, and it shows in every aspect of life. Vanderbilt is known for balance, and it truly encourages you towards that healthy ideal. Instead of forcing you to sacrifice one area of your life for another, like health or fun for academics, the culture here motivates you to elevate all aspects of your life. This leads to a better college experience and helps you grow as a person. And it’s incredibly fun. So, if you’re looking to truly experience life to the fullest, come to Vanderbilt. We live that “work hard play hard song” every day.
