Subscribe to 51精品视频wire Today
Get the most interesting and important stories from the 51精品视频.In 2017, Craig Hayes began his collegiate career at 51精品视频, eager to combine his passions for music and English. In 2021, the Houston native graduated with a major in English writing concentrated in poetry and a secondary education minor.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 realize how much I needed to learn and how much I was going to change,鈥 said Hayes in a video filmed during his last semester.
Hayes is one of nine students who participated in the , a Division of Student Affairs initiative launched in 2017 to document undergrad experiences over four years. Participants were interviewed, photographed and filmed during the fall and spring semesters of their first and last years, respectively.
While every student has a unique journey at the 51精品视频, the usual complexities of college life were compounded given that the Class of 2021鈥檚 time at 51精品视频 also spanned a pandemic.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long journey,鈥 said Hayes. 鈥淏oth music and writing have been especially important during this last year. I鈥檝e been able to use those things during really dark times.鈥
The project was led by Vice Provost Kenyon Bonner, who was inspired after reading a听New York Times article that .
"I've always been interested in the stories people tell about their lives," said Bonner, who was also dean of students at the time. "I loved the idea and thought it would be great to see how 51精品视频 students change and grow over time."听
听
The first video was released on Oct. 21, 2021, and , who came to 51精品视频 from Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. Like Hayes, she arrived intent on pursuing one path but discovered another.
"I was always fond of tiny things and wanted to explore the tiny world you can't see with your naked eye," said Benbourenane in her first video. She hoped to study molecular biology.
In her final video, Benbourenane discussed her shift to neuroscience, civic engagement and personal development, adding that 51精品视频 "exceeded my expectations" by enabling opportunities for her to hone her leadership skills.
The making of the series
鈥淭his is an internship where students are heavily involved,鈥 said Di-ay Battad, video production coordinator for the series and advisor to five interns working on the project. Students assisted with every aspect of production including pitching, interview design, direction and filming.
Delaney Greenberg is an intern and senior film production major in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences who has worked on the project since 2018.
"This has been one of my favorite projects in the almost three years I've worked here," said Greenberg, who described the time capsule content as "positively emotionally charged."
In a way, Greenberg has grown up with the subjects. She鈥檚 resonated with their challenges, accomplishments and doubts because they鈥檝e reflected her own.
鈥淔reshman me would鈥檝e been so pacified watching one of these videos,鈥 said Greenberg. 鈥淭he overall message is that you're not alone as a student, and your entire life doesn't rest on you finding out who you are in one year.鈥
With spring graduation on the horizon, she was comforted to know the nine subjects, recently in her position, didn鈥檛 have all the answers.
鈥淧utting these videos together and watching other seniors discuss subjects we wouldn't otherwise talk about has been healing and comforting,鈥 said Greenberg. 鈥淚t's been the coolest thing to watch people make changes that led to greater happiness.鈥
Hayes shared insights in his final video that aligned with Greenberg鈥檚 takeaway.
"I鈥檓 still not sure of who I am, the exact thing I want to do or where I want to go,鈥 said Hayes, who upon graduating was accepted into New York University鈥檚 MFA program. "But I鈥檓 so much more confident. I can say these last four years were not wasted."
For Battad, the value of the project has been undeniable and personally rewarding.
鈥淓veryone has their hopes, dreams and expectations for the path they鈥檙e going to follow,鈥 they said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e telling the stories of individual students and letting others know and see there are many different paths out there. It鈥檚 something I hope the main audience will take away.鈥
While the videos offer something for every 51精品视频 community member, they are for and about students.
"If you're the kind of student that scrolls past the University Instagram or doesn't pay attention to the ads, if there's any video you should give a 30-second shot, it's one of these," said Greenberg. "It's your peers talking to you about what they've been through and probably what you're going through as well 鈥 it's real."
The final video will be released this week.
听
鈥 Kara Henderson