QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou wrote, “Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.”

Happy Monday, Wildcats! These are words to live by. A college semester, very much like life, is a roller coaster of ups and downs. It’s always good to be prepared for bad things to happen, whether it’s failing a test or losing a loved one, but hope is an important, powerful thing. It helps to make our dreams, whatever they may be, a reality.

So, hope for the best, expect the worst, and everything in between will start to seem a whole lot easier.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, February 5

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Multifaith Prayer Room, St. Rita’s Hall | Virtual Option | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, & Staff

Popular Reading Launch & Reception | 1 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | Free & Open to Villanova Community | Refreshments Served

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Tuesday, February 6

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Wednesday, February 7

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Thursday, February 8

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 12-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Sunday, February 11

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 3-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Photo by Alex Bracken on Unsplash

For those with a sweet tooth (and no nut allergies), today, Feb. 5, is World Nutella Day. Whether you put it on toast, crepes, in a dessert, or eat it straight out of the jar, today is the day to enjoy some of this chocolate hazelnut spread.

Tomorrow, Feb. 6 is Pay a Compliment Day. Have you ever gotten a confidence boost after someone paid you a compliment? Sometimes, the little acts of kindness really make a difference. Tomorrow is an opportunity for you to be that act of kindness for someone else, whether it’s your close friend or a stranger with nice shoes or a cool jacket.

Don’t know what to eat for dinner? National Pizza Day is this Friday, Feb. 9. Pizza is an American staple when it comes to takeout foods and for good reason. It’s convenient, it’s customizable, and it’s delicious. Personally, I’m a fan of garlicky white pizza (especially from Mannino’s in Pottstown) but whatever your preference is, you can celebrate by enjoying a slice.

Saturday, Feb. 10 is Global Movie Day, a great excuse to take a break from studying and get something off of your watchlist. Or, if you want a fun night in with some friends, you can throw a watch party.

Annie Stockmal is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In Atonement, Ian McEwan wrote, “A person is, among all else, a material thing, easily torn and not easily mended.”

Happy Monday, Wildcats! Sometimes, mental health is a delicate thing. It’s far easier to succumb to stress than it is to recover from it.

The good news is that it’s early in the semester. This is the perfect time to build good habits. It’s hard to get yourself out of a hole once it’s already been dug. So, if you want to minimize burnout and anxiety later in the semester, now is an opportunity to prioritize self-care and making time for things that help you de-stress.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, January 29

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Multifaith Prayer Room, St. Rita’s Hall | Virtual Option | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, & Staff

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Tuesday, January 30

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Wednesday, January 31

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Thursday, February 1

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 12-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Sunday, February 4

Celebration in Honor of Villanova’s Digital Library and Bethel AME Church of Ardmore’s Digitization Partnership | 1 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | Refreshments Served | RSVP by Monday, Jan. 29, by emailing Beaudry Allen (beaudry.allen@villanova.edu).

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 3-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Photo by Alysha Rosly on Unsplash

If you’re a fan of breakfast pastries, tomorrow, Jan. 30, is National Croissant Day. While a croissant from Dunkin’ or another coffee shop will suffice, if you want to elevate your experience and support a local business, buy one from a local bakery.

If you’re looking for a warm beverage to keep you toasty, National Hot Chocolate Day is this Wednesday, Jan. 31. It might feel a bit warmer than the temperatures we had a couple weeks ago, but the chilly weather is still perfect to enjoy a warm cup of hot cocoa.

Already feeling stressed? Friday, Feb. 2, is Self Renewal Day, a day for self-care and self-improvement. If you’re feeling up to it, use the day to do something that makes you feel happier and healthier, whether that’s going for a walk, doing some cleaning, or making some time to enjoy a hobby.

If you want to try your hand in some seasonal cooking, National Homemade Soup Day is this Sunday, Feb. 4. Cooking soup might seem daunting, but it’s easier than you might be thinking. Although I’m not a huge soup person, it’s customizable and undeniably perfect for a chilly winter day.

Annie Stockmal is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In Anne of Avonlea, L. M. Montgomery wrote, “Well, we all make mistakes, dear, so just put it behind you. We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with us.”

Welcome back, Wildcats! It’s a new year and a new semester. That means it’s a new opportunity to learn from the mistakes you made last semester and start this semester with a fresh mindset. Maybe you slacked off on schoolwork, maybe you didn’t prioritize enough time for self-care, maybe you didn’t see your friends as much as you wanted to. Whatever you may have struggled with, now is the perfect chance to learn from those mistakes.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Tuesday, January 16

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Wednesday, January 17

Data Visualization Working Session | 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Digital Scholarship Lab | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, & Staff | Register Here

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Textbooks & Tacos | 5-6 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | Free & Open to the Villanova Community | ACS-Approved | Refreshments Served

Thursday, January 18

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Sunday, January 21

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

As you likely know, thanks to this day off, today, Jan. 15, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day (check out last year’s Weekend Recs on Dr. King if you want some MLK Day recs) as well as Civil Rights Day. Here are some other holidays coming up this week:

Photo by Adrien Delforge on Unsplash

Today is also National Bagel Day, the perfect excuse to enjoy this Eastern European Jewish creation. Whether you need an on-the-go breakfast food or need some comfort food, bagels are such a versatile food. And if you really want a good bagel (and can’t travel to New York), go to a local bagel shop. If you’re out by Royersford or Pottstown, I’d highly recommend Barrister’s Bagels.

More into spicy food? Tomorrow, Jan. 16, is International Hot and Spicy Food Day. If you’re a fan of spice, you can celebrate this holiday by eating some of your favorite spicy foods, whether it’s hot wings, hot sauce, jalapeño poppers, Flaming Hot Cheetos, or any other go-tos. The options are practically endless.

Need to get some steps in? This Saturday, Jan. 20, is Take a Walk Outdoors Day. It might be freezing outside, but that doesn’t have to stop you. Even if it’s just 15 minutes around campus, going for a walk outdoors can help you get some fresh air and walk off any stress or negativity you might be feeling.

For all athleisure fans, International Sweatpants Day is this Sunday, Jan. 21. With the cold weather, sweatpants are the perfect option to stay warm and comfortable.

Annie Stockmal is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In Me Before You, Jojo Moyes wrote, “You only get one life. It’s actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.”

Happy Monday, Wildcats! While some of you are already enjoying your time off, some of you are still wrapping up finals. Whether winter break has already begun for you or whether it will begin in a few (hopefully short) days, we here at Falvey hope your time off is filled with family, friends, and good food.

After all the work you put in over the past few months, you deserve to enjoy yourself over break. So, do what you love and go make some great memories with the people you love. See you in 2024!

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, December 18

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Multifaith Prayer Room, St. Rita’s Hall | Virtual Option | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, & Staff

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Photo by Julias Torten und Törtchen

As you likely know, Christmas Eve is coming up this Sunday, Dec. 24, with Christmas following next Monday, Dec. 25. But if you’re looking for a holiday to celebrate in the meantime or don’t celebrate Christmas, here are some other fun holidays coming up this week:

The Winter Solstice might be the shortest day of daylight in the year, but this Thursday, Dec. 21, is also Look on the Bright Side Day. While a reasonable dose of negativity is normal and healthy, letting it consume you and ruin your day is often just a self-perpetuating cycle. Even if the lack of sunlight is making things gloomy for you, if you’re up for a challenge, try to look on the bright side of things today.

If you enjoy baking (and don’t mind sharing), Friday, Dec. 22 is National Cookie Exchange Day. Although it might be less popular than previous years, cookie exchanges (or cookie swaps) are a fun way to spread some holiday joy and to get an assortment of delicious baked goods. You can celebrate this holiday by participating in a cookie exchange, even if it’s just you and a few friends.

If you don’t have a holiday to celebrate in December, Saturday, Dec. 23, is Festivus, a day coined in the sitcom Seinfeld that has turned into a nondenominational celebration with family and friends. To celebrate this holiday, you can recreate the Festivus holidays traditions shown in Seinfeld‘s “The Strike” episode or create some of your own.

Annie Stockmal is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library.

Register Here.

The Falvey Data Visualization Competition is a new program established in conjunction with our annual Love Data week celebration to recognize the various ways that data is used in Villanova scholarship. Winners will be selected from the pool of candidates by the Love Data committee based on set criteria, judging the utilization of data and visualizations to illustrate their research. This competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students from Villanova University. Presentations can be based on any type of data-related project that students have completed or are currently working on. Presentations can be submitted beginning Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. 

Follow and spread the word about Love Data Week 2024: @lovedataweek on X and Instagram #lovedata24 

Questions? Contact Nicole Daly, Social Science Librarian.

Nicole Daly is Communication Librarian at Falvey Library.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown wrote, “Today is today, but there are many tomorrows.”

Happy Last Day of Classes and Finals Week, Wildcats! Today and the coming days will likely be challenging, tiring, and overwhelming. It’s a practically universal (and miserable) college experience.

But if it helps to get you through this rough week or so, remember that there are so many more tomorrows, and past Dec. 19, those tomorrows are looking a whole lot better. So, push through the stress, try your best, and just think about how good you’ll feel during winter break.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, December 11

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Multifaith Prayer Room, St. Rita’s Hall | Virtual Option | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, & Staff

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Tuesday, December 12

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Photo by Dimitar Krastev on Unsplash

Need a sugary pick-me-up during finals? This Wednesday is Ice Cream Day. It might be cold outside, but that doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying a cup or cone of your favorite ice cream. I’ll be enjoying some pumpkin ice cream while it’s still in-season.

Thursday, Dec. 14 is More Good Today Day, a day dedicated to acts of kindness and charity. If you’re feeling generous, do a small (or large) act of kindness to brighten someone’s day. If you’re looking for a way to help others, you could also participate in Falvey’s donation drive for those experiencing homelessness and addiction, ending Thursday, Dec. 15. For more info on the donations and what you can donate, check out our blog here.

Friday, Dec. 15 is National Regifting Day. Regifting, when done thoughtfully, can actually be a good thing. Sometimes, somebody gives you something (or you buy something on a whim) that will just collect dust and not spark joy in your life. It might not be your thing, but it could be the perfect gift for one of your loved ones. So, if you have a thoughtful regifting idea, don’t let the guilt stop you. You might just help save something from ending up in a landfill.

For any breakfast food lovers, National Maple Syrup Day is this Sunday, Dec. 17. Whether you’re putting it on your pancakes, french toast, oatmeal, or sausage, you can celebrate today by enjoying some maple syrup (even if it’s the fake kind). After finals this week (and any you might still have), you deserve a breakfast of champions.

Annie Stockmal is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In Anne of Green Gables, L. M. Montgomery wrote, “Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.”

It’s the last week of classes. Finals are around the corner. It’s unarguably a very stressful time, but wallowing in misery and letting your negative emotions get the better of you is probably not the best strategy to ending the semester in success.

Allow yourself to enjoy the little things, and above all, find something that makes you laugh. It might be a cliche that “laughter is the best medicine,” but it really can help reduce stress, especially if you’re with good company.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, December 4

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Multifaith Prayer Room, St. Rita’s Hall | Virtual Option | ACS Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, & Staff

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Company and Industry Competitive Intelligence 101 Workshop | 5 p.m. | Room 206 | ACS Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students | Refreshments Served | Register Here

Tuesday, December 5

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Wednesday, December 6

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Company and Industry Competitive Intelligence 101 Workshop | 6 p.m. | Room 206 | ACS Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students | Refreshments Served | Register Here

Thursday, December 7

Falvey Library’s Annual Stress Busting Open House | 1-3 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | Free & Open to the Villanova Community | Refreshments Served

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Sunday December 10

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Photo by Aleksandra Tanasiienko on Unsplash

If you need a sweet snack to motivate you while studying, today, Dec. 4 is National Cookie Day, a day dedicated to any cookie you can imagine. Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, snickerdoodles, and sugar cookies. If you really want to add a little festivity, you can enjoy some gingerbread cookies.

If you’re perhaps feeling a little more fancy, National Pastry Day is this Saturday, Dec. 9. Pastries come in hundreds of varieties, flavors, and textures, so whether you’re into croissants, crepes, bear claws, or baklava, this is your excuse to pop into a local bakery and enjoy.

Sunday, Dec. 10, is Nobel Prize Day. Although Nobel events will take place over the week, Sunday is dedicated to the achievements of Nobel Prize recipients, in honor of the first Nobel Prize. If you’re interested to learning more about all of the past recipients, you can browse the list here. This year’s Nobel Prize in Literature goes to Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse, whose works you can check out through Falvey here.

Annie Stockmal is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In Anne of Green Gables, L. M. Montgomery wrote, “Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing.”

Happy Monday, Wildcats, and welcome back! As we approach the end of the semester, with assignments and exams piling up, there will be more and more opportunities to succeed and to fail. With the foreboding pressure of failing, it’s easy to feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and even like you should just call it quits and do the bare minimum.

But if you don’t try, you almost certainly won’t succeed. So, while still being mindful of your mental health, try your best in these last few weeks of the semester, especially in the classes and areas that are the most important to you and your future. And regardless of the outcome, be proud of yourself and your hard work.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, November 27

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Multifaith Prayer Room, St. Rita’s Hall | Virtual Option | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, & Staff

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Tuesday, November 28

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

A New Chapter: Women Writing Northern Ireland Now | 6 p.m. | Topper Theater, John and Joan Mullen Performing Arts Center | Free & Open to the Public | RSVP Here

Wednesday, November 29

Panel Discussion on Dana Lloyd’s Land is Kin: Sovereignty, Religious Freedom, and Indigenous Sacred Sites | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to the Public | Light Refreshments Served

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Philosophy and Film Series on “Creativity and Madness”: Stanley Tucci’s The Final Portrait (2017) | 5:30 p.m. | Room 415 | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Community | Light Refreshments Served

Thursday, November 30

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Sunday, December 3

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Today, Nov. 27, is National Brand Day. Brands aren’t simply a group of products made by the same company. Brands are an opportunity to support a company with the same values and beliefs as you. Whether you’re in the mood for some retail therapy or are doing some holiday shopping, you can celebrate by buying from a brand that you believe in. If you’re an entrepreneur, this is a great opportunity to celebrate your own brand.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Tomorrow, Nov. 28, is Giving Tuesday, or the National Day of Giving. Celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, this day is dedicated to the “giving” part of the holiday. To celebrate, you can give money to an important cause, volunteer your time to a local charity, or even donate blood. As Falvey graduate assistant Rebecca discussed in her blog, we are experiencing a blood shortage, and there are currently still spots open to donate at Villanova on both Nov. 27 and Nov. 30.

In the mood for some seasonal sweets? National Peppermint Bark Day is this Friday, Dec. 1. Peppermint bark combines the ultimate winter flavors: mint and chocolate. If you want to get into the holiday spirit, enjoy some peppermint bark.

Got a tight budget this holiday season? Sunday, Dec. 3, is National Make a Gift Day. Although everyone is different, I am of the opinion that homemade gifts are a great way to show your appreciation and tailor the gift to whom you’re giving it. So, if you’re feeling crafty, get out your crochet hooks, markers, recipes, and any other supplies you have and make a homemade gift for someone you love.

Annie Stockmal is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library.

Mamma mia! Have finals hit you like a ton of bricks? Stop by Falvey Library’s Annual Stress Busting Open House in Speakers’ Corner on Thursday, Dec. 7 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (or until supplies last). Enjoy some SUPER refreshments and relax with Mario Universe video games and activities. We hope to see you Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches people there! This event, sponsored by Falvey Library, is free and open to the Villanova community. Wowie Zowie, Wildcats—You got this (and Falvey Library is here to help)—Good luck on finals!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Ferris Bueller said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Happy Monday, Wildcats! With the semester flying by, Thanksgiving break will begin in just a few days. While everyone’s plans for Thanksgiving might not look the same, I hope everyone will be able to enjoy some time with your family, with your friends, and with anyone else that you care about. Life flies by us pretty quick, but it’s important to slow down and cherish the little things, the good moments that make us smile or laugh or take a breath of relief.

So, even if you’re working on projects, studying for an exam, or cooking for a large group of people, enjoy some down time and recharge your mental battery.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, November 20

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Multifaith Prayer Room, St. Rita’s Hall | Virtual Option | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, & Staff

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

As you likely know, two major holidays, Thanksgiving on Nov. 23 and Black Friday on Nov. 24, are coming up this week. Here are some other holidays to brighten up your week:

Photo by Jingxi Lau on Unsplash

Today, Nov. 20, is the beginning of National Book Week. With Thanksgiving Break coming up this week, it’s the perfect time to crack open a book and read (and don’t worry if you don’t have one, Falvey’s got plenty of options). After reading for class throughout the semester, sometimes it’s nice to remind ourselves what it’s like to read something actually enjoyable. After spending most of the semester reading for my thesis, I might re-read Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows duology to enjoy some leisure time.

Not a big reader? Tomorrow, Nov. 21, is World Television Day. Although it’s not quite break yet, this is still the perfect excuse to watch a couple episodes of your go-to comfort show or to start a new show currently on your watch list.

Thursday, Nov. 23 isn’t just Thanksgiving. It’s also fittingly Eat a Cranberry Day, and because of the holiday, you have plenty of choices. Enjoying some fresh cranberries is a nice way to celebrate, but cranberry sauce (or “relish”) and cranberry pie are both two delicious and festive options.

If you’re not pie-d out after Thanksgiving, Sunday, Nov. 26, is International Cake Day. If your sweet tooth hasn’t been satisfied, enjoy a slice of your favorite cake (with bonus points if it happens to be your birthday).

Annie Stockmal is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library.