How to Make the Most of the Wond’ry
How to Make the Most of the Wond’ry
If you’ve been around campus at all these past months, you may have witnessed the construction and ultimate unveiling of the Wond’ry at Vanderbilt University. Standing between Olin Hall and the baseball field, the Wond’ry is designed to be the epicenter for innovation and entrepreneurship on Vanderbilt’s campus. Don’t let that mislead you though- the Wond’ry is not just for engineers and business students. This new center is here to serve all ten schools on Vanderbilt’s campus.
As a second semester senior, I really wish that I had more time to experience this amazing resource! However, my limited remaining time here does mean that I’ve given some thought to how to make the most out of this amazing opportunity. So, if you’re a senior like me, or simply want to dive in and take advantage of all the Wond’ry has to offer, here’s my guide to making the most of the Wond’ry.
- Don’t hesitate to use it as a study space.
I know, this tip may seem anticlimactic. However, the Wond’ry is an amazing place to sit down and really focus on all the work you have to do for class. The work has to be completed somewhere, and the Wond’ry offers a quiet, open space with plenty of study room where you can read and write to your heart’s content.
- Attend a workshop.
The Wond’ry is incredibly lucky to have the support of local entrepreneurs and businesses. As part of our calendar of events, we have workshops that cover a variety of topics and skills and are taught by both members of the local community and members of the Vanderbilt community. For example, past workshops have taught skills such as sewing and how to sketch designs.
- Get MakerSpace certified.
Workshops are great opportunities for you to learn new skills and complete new projects. However, if you’re at all interested in working on your own special project then you should become MakerSpace certified. The process is simple. All you have to do is attend a Safety Seminar. These seminars are offered Monday through Thursday from 4-5 PM or on Wednesdays from 11:30-12:30 PM. Once you’ve attended one of these sessions, you are then cleared to use the equipment in our MakerSpaces during business hours.
- Take a tour.
I will admit, I have never been one for guided tours. Far too frequently, the impression you get on a tour doesn’t quite match up to your lived experience in the space. However, the Wond’ry is one of the few places where I can wholeheartedly recommend a tour. Walking around the Wond’ry will show you a lot of what we have to offer, but there is more to this space than meets the eye. Taking a tour will let you in on these hidden facets of the Wond’ry, like where we got the wood for some of the walls and why we have a big rock at the base of the stairs.
- Attend a lecture.
Bear with me here. I know that you have to attend lectures every week for class, and you may not want to pile on some additional lecture time in your day. Trust me, these lectures are not like your classes. First, you get to pick and choose which topics you want to hear about and which ones you don’t. Second, these lectures are given by people with actual hands-on experience. You won’t be learning about the theory of entrepreneurship or innovation, you’ll be learning about what it actually takes to create a workable idea or business. For a list of lectures and events, check out thewondry.com or like us on Facebook.
Jude Cohen
Student Ambassador
Class of 2017