Jillian Chyriwski

Emre Koyuncu

English 106

November 13, 2011

Rational Paper

For my photo essay I chose to depict my new life here at Purdue. Being an

out-of-state student from New York, I had to drastically adjust to the changes I faced

when I arrived here. Be it different living conditions, having a roommate, not

knowing anyone or just trying to fit in, I have changed to accommodate this new

environment. My photo essay opens up with the Purdue University sign. At first I

was hesitant about accepting my offer, but I am happy I did. I have set my life up for

new experiences and a “new life”. I have made my dorm room here my new home. I

went from having my own room to having a roommate. Living with someone, I at

first did not know, I had to accommodate my living habits around hers. Next the

schoolwork has changed for me. I have to manage my time in order to stay on track

and complete my work. However; I enjoy the classes I take her more than high

school classes because I get to chose classes I am interested in and that correspond

with my major: hospitality management. To get involved here on campus, I joined

the Purdue women’s lacrosse club team. It was a great way for me to meet new

people, while playing a sport I love. I also participated in my floor’s activities and go

to sporting events whenever I can. Before Purdue, I had never been to a college

football game. The whole experience is amazing; from tailgating to the half time

show and even just cheering on the Boilermakers. From all of this, I have gained a

new family. The friends I have made, since coming to Purdue, are always there for

me just like my friends and family are back home. I closed my essay with how being

on such a big campus, I have had to adjust and find my place, which I have been able

to do, thanks to the activities I participate in and the people I spend my time with. I

wanted to depict my life here at Purdue because it has, so far, been a drastic change

from my life back home, but I could not be happier.

The way I put together my project, I wanted to keep it simple and organized.

I chose a gold background and black writing because of Purdue’s colors. By keeping

the colors, fonts and placement of the headings and paragraphs the same, I feel I

kept the visual aspect of this project consistent. For some pages I chose to have two

photos instead of one. I did this because I felt one picture did not successfully

explain that activity or event. I chose to put the pictures in the middle of the page, in

between the heading and the paragraph, because it is a photo essay and the photos

are the most important part of the project. I tried to stick to the CRAP concept. For

color/contrast, I used two colors that went together but also stood out on their own.

I repeated the same color, fonts, sizes and placements in order to keep visual

consistency. The alignment of the pages I tried to keep the same. I wanted the pages

to look clean and simple. For proximity, I ordered the pages in a certain way.

Starting with Purdue University sign, then my new home, following with the

activities and events I participate here at Purdue, then with the new family I have

made while here, and closing with how being on such a big campus, I have been able

to find my place.