My biggest circle of influence is with my family and close friends. They listen to me, and I can support them in different ways. They trust me enough to listen to my advice because there's that sense of familiarity between us as family and friends. The place where I have the least influence is with the bigger school community or society because I don’t get to make those decisions, and as a freshman, I don't play a big role in what goes on around campus.

b.

As I’ve grown, my influence has changed. When I was younger, my family had more control over me because I was a child, but now I get to share my own opinions more. Because I'm more mature and now an adult, my opinions are taken more seriously. I also have more influence with my friends and online communities now because I can give advice or share ideas. At the same time, I still don’t have much influence in bigger areas like school rules or politics.

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Strongest to weakest: 1. It helps the environment, 2. Public transportation reduces traffic, 3. Students pay tuition, 4. Riding the bus is fun.

The EPA says buses make less pollution per person than cars. https://www.epa.gov/transportation-air-pollution-and-climate-change/carbon-pollution-transportation

This is strongest because it shows facts about the environment, not just opinions.

ii. Classes should start later in the morning.

Strongest to weakest: 1. Teenagers naturally wake up later, 2. Students would be more focused, 3. Teachers are also tired, 4. Cafeterias could sell more food.

The CDC says teens need 8-10 hours of sleep but early school times stop that. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-education/staying-healthy/sleep.html

This is strongest because it uses science about how teens sleep.

iii. Everyone should learn how to cook.

Strongest to weakest: 1. Cooking is healthier than eating out, 2. Cooking saves money, 3. You can impress friends, 4. Cooking shows are popular.

Harvard Health says cooking at home can lower the risk of being overweight. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/home-cooking-good-for-your-health-2018081514449

This is strongest because it proves cooking will help your health long term.

iv. Reading fiction improves critical thinking.

Strongest to weakest: 1. Fiction helps people imagine perspectives, 2. It strengthens empathy, 3. Fiction builds vocabulary, 4. Some novels are boring.

Psychology Today says reading fiction helps people understand others better. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/between-cultures/202201/the-psychology-fiction-why-reading-transforms-us

This is strongest because it shows a real skill people can get from reading.

v. Voting should be mandatory.

Strongest to weakest: 1. Democracy works better with more participation, 2. It would make elections fairer, 3. Other countries have mandatory voting, 4. Some people don’t care.

Studies show when more people vote, the government represents people better. https://effectivegov.uchicago.edu/primers/the-timing-of-local-elections

This is strongest because it connects to how democracy works.

vi. Homework should be reduced.

Strongest to weakest: 1. Students get stressed from too much work, 2. Students are too busy, 3. Teachers spend too much time grading, 4. Extra practice helps learning.

The APA says too much homework makes students stressed and tired. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/03/homework

This is strongest because stress makes it harder to learn.

vii. Social media does more harm than good.

Strongest to weakest: 1. Social media spreads misinformation, 2. It creates anxiety, 3. People waste time, 4. It helps people connect.

Pew Research says fake news spreads faster online than real news. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2017/10/19/the-future-of-truth-and-misinformation-online/

This is strongest because it’s a big problem that affects many people.

viii. Video games should be considered a sport.

Strongest to weakest: 1. They require strategy and skill, 2. Players practice many hours, 3. Competitions draw big audiences, 4. They don’t involve physical activity.

ESPN already shows esports tournaments. https://www.youtube.com/espnesports

This is strongest because it proves video games are treated like sports now.

ix. College students should take at least one art class.

Strongest to weakest: 1. Creativity is useful in any career, 2. Art encourages problem-solving, 3. Art reduces stress, 4. Some students dislike art.

The World Economic Forum says creativity is one of the top skills for jobs. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/05/future-of-jobs-2023-skills/#:~:text=Victoria%20Masterson%20*%20The%20World%20Economic%20Forum's,adequate%20training%20opportunities%2C%20according%20to%20the%20report.

This is strongest because it shows creativity is important for a students future while job hunting.

Walking across the bridge felt really unique. The wooden path shakes a little when people walk or bikes go by. Also, the view of Manhattan was beautiful, and the air felt different up there; windy and open. There were a lot of tourists taking photos, and the rule seemed to be to stay on your side and keep moving. When I got closer to Dumbo, the feeling changed. It was calmer, with brick buildings, cobblestone streets, and people sitting by the water or drinking coffee, the area looked clean and well-kept, but also expensive.

I noticed how the bridge and Dumbo have different purposes. The bridge is all about moving, people are always walking or running. And if they aren’t moving then they’re stopping to take a quick picture. Dumbo is more for stopping and hanging out. It made me think about how city spaces have unspoken rules. On the bridge, you can’t stop too long in the middle of the walkway or you’ll be in someone’s way. In Dumbo, you’re supposed to take pictures, shop, or relax. How each space is designed kind of tells you how to act.

Not everyone seems to belong in Dumbo. It felt like a place for tourists, transplants, and people who have money. The cafes and shops were really nice but pricey. I saw some security cameras and private signs that made it clear not every area was for everyone. It made me wonder how locals feel about all the visitors. I think people who live there might find it hard because of the crowds and rising costs. The bridge, on the other hand, felt more public. Anyone can walk there for free. Still, it was a little packed, so not everyone would enjoy it.

I knew about the Brooklyn Bridge before from movies, photos, and driving on it every once in a while, but I didn’t know much about Dumbo’s past. Later, I read that it used to be an industrial area with warehouses before becoming a place with art galleries and apartments. It made me realize how cities change over time and how history affects what we see now. I also thought about what Springgay and Truman said about walking being a kind of research. When you walk, you don’t just see a place; you feel it. You notice sounds, smells, and how people act, which you can’t get from just reading about it.

Walking through both areas helped me understand how space and people connect. The bridge felt like a space for everyone, while Dumbo felt more exclusive. It made me think about how our bodies and backgrounds affect how we experience places. For example, as a student and visitor, I felt welcome to walk and take pictures, but I also noticed how expensive everything was, which made me feel like an outsider too.

Overall, this walk helped me see how walking can be a way of learning. Like the readings said, walking helps you ‘know’ a space differently. It made me notice how design, people, and history all shape a place. The Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo are more than just tourist spots; they show how movement, culture, and money all come together in the city.

When I read the AIF article, I learned that walking can help us study a place through all our senses, not just by looking. He says walking connects our body and the environment and helps us learn about people’s daily lives and the land around them. Springgay and Truman also explain that walking is about place, sensory inquiry, embodiment, and rhythm. When I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, I really felt these ideas. For example, the wind, the sound of cars, and me moving with the crowd. When I reached Dumbo, it was different. It was slower, calmer, and filled with people relaxing by the water. That made me understand how movement, sound, and even money shape who feels welcome in a space.

This walk made me realize that even familiar places can feel different depending on who you are and what you can afford. It also showed me that walking isn’t always just about getting somewhere, it’s a way to understand a place and think about how people and the environment are connected.

2. What do you hope people remember about you after you've moved on or graduated?

3.  What moment or experience has changed you the most since being here on campus?

4. What do you wish more people asked you about?

5. What's something you've learned about yourself recently?

Harley is a freshman photography major who moved from Long Island to New York City. “During my first critique, I was so anxious,” she said. “I hadn’t really prepared, and it was my first time presenting my work in a professional way. But it went a lot better than I expected. My professor told us she was proud of how articulate we were, and that made me feel good about myself. I was more capable than I thought.”

Now, Harley’s building a sense of home on campus. “My friends keep me going. We hold each other accountable and reward ourselves at the end of the week. I’m proud of myself for getting my work done and creating art that really reflects who I am.”