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Focusing on the freshman experience

By April Beane

Friends sitting at a bus stop

A messy res hall room

An abandoned building in the snow

These titles create a mental picture. Their matching photographs hold a different meaning for each viewer based on his or her experiences.

For seven Marquette freshmen, these images represent their communities, their homes, their faith and their growth during a time of extreme change in their lives — the shift from high school to college and the move from home to discovering their independence.

“I had a very difficult time adjusting to college life,” says student Lucy Kastonek, “and I promised myself that if I could ease (their transition) or be some sort of inspiration for those to come next, I’d seize that opportunity.”

That opportunity presented itself to Kastonek through Marquette’s First-year Photo Project.

The First-year Photo Project provides incoming freshmen with a unique way to reflect upon their move from high school to Marquette — through the lens of a camera.

“We often ask students to reflect upon their experiences verbally but that is not how all students like to think about their transition,” says Julie Murphy, coordinator for new student programs in the Office of Student Development.

Murphy started the First-year Photo Project three years ago. In addition to helping the students, she thought the project could help keep her — and the Marquette community — connected to the mindset of an 18-year-old.

“Every year I get older, and every year they stay 18,” Murphy says.

Approximately eight students participate in the program each fall. They photograph according to themes — including my community, my home and my faith — and meet biweekly to explain their photos.

“My favorite photograph I took is titled ‘Sun Flower,’” says Kastonek. “It was taken at the Milwaukee County Zoo when my parents came up to visit over Family Weekend. I love it because, although no one else knows, the sun represents my awakening of sorts in realizing through my transition, I was becoming the person God intended me to be.”

According to Murphy, many of the students are glad they participated because it makes them intentionally capture moments of meaning in their lives. By doing so, Murphy says, the activity forces them to slow down and think about what they are experiencing.

“I think that I still would have transitioned just fine,” says student Joseph Murray, “but I would not have had as meaningful of an experience as I did.”

Looking back on the project, Kastonek feels it helped her realize how she was growing.

“I think that on some deeper level all college students are aware of this, but it becomes so hidden and buried among the clutter of everyday life that taking the time to truly appreciate it is difficult,” she says. “In short, it made me realize how blessed I am to be here.”