Reflecting on the Present, Nosal
Over the course of this semester, my digital humanities class, and myself, worked together to create a webpage showcasing some of the history of Saint Mary’s College. We visited the archives at Saint Mary’s College numerous times over the semester, and we digitized and created metadata for many important documents and artifacts. All of the artifacts used were from previous Saint Mary’s College students, and they provided useful information about students' past academic and social lives and about other important events regarding Saint Mary’s College and the University of Notre Dame. Creating this webpage took much dedication and time from each of the students, however, throughout this entire process of creating a webpage, we, as students, worked together and successfully created a complete, coherent page.
Working on this project has made me understand the significance of being a student at Saint Mary’s College, and it has changed my view on what it has been like to be a Saint Mary’s student because I understand the importance of the power women hold and our place in society. After analyzing and digitizing the artifacts provided by the archives at Saint Mary’s College, I see how women have paved a way for themselves in our world, and the significant impacts they have made at Saint Mary’s College and beyond. Saint Mary’s College trains students to become strong, confident, hardworking women in society. After working together with the rest of my classmates, and contributing and recognizing the work of other classmates, I feel like I have become more confident in my work and the ideas I present in my work, and I will carry this confidence into other future assignments I will complete in the future.
As I worked through this assignment, not only did I gain confidence in my work but I also learned many important values. The value of gaining this type of historical perspective is important to me, and I now realize how I can follow in the footsteps of previous Saint Mary’s College students and make a positive impact not only on the college but society as well. Becoming the best version of myself is one aspect I work to strengthen and pursue each day, and I am confident that I will continue to grow not only as a student but as a person over the next three years at Saint Mary’s College.Over the semester I worked with and analyzed the Catherine Kennedy Journal. Working with the Kennedy Journal has strengthened my understanding and relationship with the campus because I get to experience the bond and sisterhood that I have formed, first hand. Throughout the Catherine Kennedy Journal, I saw how important all of her bonds were not only with her roommate and her friends but also with her professors. Throughout the journal, Catherine Kennedy mentions how her professors were always there to help, and after completing my freshman year of college, I understand how that is still the same and relevant. Every one of my professors was always willing to help me, strengthen my understanding of material, and more than all, support me and guide me in accomplishing all of my goals, and, for that, I could not be more appreciative and grateful. My professors have been the most helpful throughout these entire two semesters.
As I look back on my first year of college, I realize how blessed I am to be a part of the “sisterhood” formed at Saint Mary’s College. I have learned many important lessons that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life, and I have been influenced by everyone around me who supports me. The journal provided by Catherine Kennedy has also influenced me to become the best version of myself and to do everything in life with an open heart and mind. With my first year behind me, I cannot imagine what the next three years at Saint Mary’s College might hold for me.Chloe Nosal
Business Administration Major