As I stood in our driveway back in August 1983, preparing for my college journey, I turned to my mother with a question, “Can I take this?” The oversized bulletin board I was referring to was certainly a space hog. “Do you really need it?” she replied skeptically, glancing at it obstructing my father’s view. Nevertheless, I deftly slid it into the back of our car, atop my essentials—milk crates filled with warm sweaters for those chilly New England winters, my down comforter (in purple to match the Holy Cross logo), and a mauve bucket filled with toiletries. Cradling my boombox and a Ziploc bag filled with cassette tapes—Flashdance, Synchronicity, and Thriller among them—I could hardly contain my excitement for what lay ahead, the beginning of an unforgettable chapter.
Equipped with a vintage Disc brand camera, I was determined to document my youthful adventures. At just 18 years old, I had an insatiable desire to immortalize every moment. Initially, my bulletin board showcased images from home: family photos, snapshots from high school gatherings, and my long-distance boyfriend. As new friends entered my dorm room, I documented them with a lighthearted request: “You can’t come in unless I take your picture.” This practice quickly evolved into a cherished tradition, creating a visual timeline of my college life. Those photos became powerful vessels of memory, encapsulating fleeting yet significant moments.
The bulletin board, which I affectionately named The Wall, transformed into a symbol of status among my peers. Everyone aspired to be featured on it, akin to a primitive social media platform. Though it was a far cry from Facebook, The Wall was a vibrant collage that preserved the essence of my college experiences. By the end of that summer, I spent my savings developing film, thrilled to unveil the captured memories.
The Wall served as a historian of our youthful escapades, vividly portraying our Madonna-inspired fashion choices and wild antics. It chronicled our journey from Worcester, Massachusetts to Manhattan in a storm for a Neil Young concert, where we ended up sleeping in my friend’s car; the tailgate party during which we briefly lost our friend, Lila, only to discover her forging new friendships at a nearby college; and the senior week booze cruise where I met a classmate who later became my boyfriend. If only The Wall could talk, I might have offered it hush money to keep some secrets.
Three years ago, I received an email from a former classmate, Amara, requesting college photos for our upcoming 25th reunion slideshow. While sifting through a box of old photographs during a power outage, I stumbled upon a treasure trove of memories. Each picture, selected from sticky pages, brought back waves of nostalgia. I chose images of toga parties, first dates, quad gatherings, school dances, and Halloween celebrations. Some photos depicted fleeting friendships, while others showcased enduring connections. I even included candid shots of students I didn’t know, frozen in time on campus.
Set to an ’80s rock soundtrack, the reunion slideshow was a resounding success. One poignant image showed a couple who had married and endured serious health challenges, yet still rallied to attend the reunion. Another captured a moment from the Blind Date Ball, where my roommate had set me up with a freshman named Jim, who has since passed away. I was dressed in a silk dress with shoulder pads, my dark hair styled in a French braid, as we posed in front of our bunk beds. The slideshow also featured favorite professors and joyful graduation moments, culminating in a breathtaking sunset view of the campus—a final image I had purchased during my last week at school.
Each photograph evoked a range of emotions, from laughter to wistful sighs. We reminisced about our youthful appearances, complete with high hair and stone-washed jeans, fully embracing the nostalgia of the glorious ’80s. The Wall’s essence filled the room, and the slideshow even made its way onto YouTube.
As we reminisced late into the reunion night, my friends and I reflected on The Wall and our college experiences. In an era where photos can be easily altered or erased, I remain grateful for my Disc camera, the tangible proof of our coming-of-age journey.
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In summary, the memories captured on my bulletin board transformed into a vibrant mosaic of my college years, filled with laughter, love, and lasting friendships.
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