While teetering dangerously on the edge of senior year, I’ve been thinking lately about my time at Vanderbilt and what this place has meant to me. I’ve learned a lot — academically, sure, but mostly about the ins and outs of life and how to get through the day having the most fun and causing the least amount of permanent damage. In my last official column, I want to impart upon my younger peers some of the more pivotal points of wisdom I’ve gained over the last four years:
Living with practical strangers is a challenge for everyone involved, but communication is key. By that I mean don’t use a random pot from the kitchen to catch leaking rain water without first consulting your housemate about the sentimental value of said pot. Should such an unfortunate event arise, however, a good mix of tequila and ammonia should get that grime right off. If you’re an RA, try not to be sleeping with your door open and your candles lit when people show up on move-in day, it doesn’t instill a ton of confidence in the parents of your freshmen hallmates.
Don’t be afraid of morning classes. Bonding emerges through suffering, and you’d be surprised by the friendships formed at 8 a.m. when the only thing everyone has in common is that you’re wearing your pajamas and you want to die. If you can study abroad, do it. If you can’t, change your major. It’s an experience you’ll never get anywhere else, and lessons you would never learn on campus. For example: Roof parties are awesome, but European skylights were not, in fact, built to support full-sized college students. Who knew?
Take advantage of the fact that you attend the only Southeastern Conference school that doesn’t make you jump through hoops to attend amazing athletic events. Fan support can move mountains, and my class saw an SEC championship, a Sweet 16, a bowl victory and a national title, so please don’t drop the ball.
Live up the frat scene while you still can, it will get old faster than you think. And so will you. Don’t forget that you live in Music City, and don’t be too much of a snob to reap the benefits. Sometimes dirty old rappers grope sorority girls on stage, and sometimes Keith Urban makes a surprise appearance right as you’re about to give up and go home. Either way, you won’t want to miss it.
Say what you will about this campus, there is a plethora of bathroom options in almost every location. So there’s no reason for you to lose your crap (literally) on the stairs in the football stadium, or pee on the concrete outside Sarratt after Rites. No one around you appreciates that. Dining do: Ken’s bento box contains three weeks worth of food for about 12 bucks. Skip lunch in preparation for this magical event. Dining don’t: Obie’s stops delivering at 2 a.m. Be aware of this, because they’ll take your order anyway. And your money. And no food comes. Sad day.
Go to church, if for no other reason than it’s quiet, and try everything once. That’s right, everything. Ten years from now, you won’t look back and regret the things you did, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do. That being said, never live in a Mayfield.
—Carolyn Pippen is a senior in the College of Arts and Science. She can be reached carolyn.m.pippen@vanderbilt.edu.
