The way students go about handling their academic career can be characterized by a few different attributes. Composing these attributes is the actual work put into studying and projects, the connection building with peers, and navigating through a physical campus to get to everywhere necessary to fulfill the first two attributes. For the last aspect of traversing through an academic career, actual traversal to points of interest for education, social interaction, and/or leisure can decide the times to be allotted to each other. More time spent in one area means less time in another.
The entries in this Walkings project focus on efficient traversal of the physical Virginia Tech campus and grounds, observing how other students also traverse the area, showing the fleeting moments of leisure in between important tasks, and doing so with multimodal examples of all. The entries develop with the changing of the seasons and colder temperatures from early October to late November of 2025. The weather accounts for most trouble points along any journey, and small walks in Blacksburg are no exception to this aspect of moving throughout the world. Depending on the workload of my other four courses in the Fall 2025 semester, the convenience of some prompts made them more likely to be picked, which is why a lot of simpler prompts are dated toward the end of the semester. To me, “convenient” for the entries meant straightforward, less investigative tasks that allowed me to stay on schedule traversing to classes and on-campus events while remaining on a consistent pace with the entry additions.
Documenting some experiences and observations of campus life, creating a journal of sorts for the first time, was a reflective and informative way to expand my self analysis relating to my consistent patterns and my understanding of structuring digital media. I was able to learn more about my habits and adapt the way I traversed the campus through more leisurely pace and passive time management. Building off of the short-term journal entry structure of this project in the future will allow me to achieve improved work-leisure balance.
A is for Assignment
Prompt 2.07 What Even Goes On In There?; Photograph and text; Friday, Sept. 19.
Getting to my only class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays means a 30 minute drive from Salem, where I live, and a 15 minute walk from Duck Pond lot to Whittemore Hall. I come to class ready to complete my participation requirement and all my work for the course during that time segment, so as to have more time for my other four classes. This photo depicts the peculiar cycle of class groups having to be reassigned in my Public Speaking class, due to one student dropping the class biweekly. (90)
Figure 1: A photo of a whiteboard in Whittemore Hall during a Public Speaking Class. (Original Photograph, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
B is for Bench
Prompt 2.05 A Good Bench; Photograph and text; Tuesday, Oct. 21.
The busy college life can make it seem like there is no room for taking breaks. Unfortunately, there are times when breaks are taken away unexpectedly, and a could-be user is left more fatigued as a result, newly realizing the importance of these rest periods. On this particular Thursday, I wanted to sit on a bench near Seitz Hall, but with one roaring sound of thunder, clouds broke and the aguacero began. With the fall season getting under way, I hope somebody will remove the leaves for next time. (90)
Figure 2: A photograph of two benches near Seitz Hall during a thunderstorm. (Original Photograph, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
C is for Consistency
Prompt 3.22 Change the Ritual; Photograph and text; Wednesday, Oct. 15.
On Mondays and Fridays when I’m walking to my class, I pass by workers mowing the Drillfield. The field’s always end up looking very nice and the workers always make sure to watch out for passing students when they’re mowing near the walkways. For the first weeks of classes this semester, I would walk at a fast pace to class. Now that I walk slower, I’m able to better appreciate the continuous effort faculty make to keep the campus clean and welcoming. Passing by the grass gets my day started. (90)
Figure 3: A photograph of freshly cut grass near the Virginia Tech Drillfield. (Original Photograph, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
D is for Drawing
Prompt 2.12 Indoor Walk; Drawing and text; Friday, Oct. 24.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I come to the tutoring center of the Computer Science department. Whether I’m just in there to review the contents of my three classes that day, or to ask about a specific project question, the space is comforting to be in during the late hours of the day. My walk to a seat consists of me entering through the accessible left door, relative to the outside area, checking availability, and choosing a seat that has enough space around it to not bump chairs with other students. (90)
Figure 4: A drawing of the Computer Science Advising Office in Torgersen Hall. (Original Drawing, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
E is for Extra
Prompt 2.33 Campus Reimagined; Drawing and text; Wednesday, Nov. 5.
“What is the easiest fix for VT?” was my question. My focus for this campus reimagining was considering the extreme wind gusts that can be unbearable at times in the Fall and Winter seasons. These winds are more noticeable in the northern part of campus, near the bus area, where there is a lack of buildings and vegetation. To minimize some of the gusts, adding more trees would be the cheapest way to break the wind while keeping the openness of the surroundings, which is a nice stretch of land. (90)
Figure 5: A sketch of a slightly changed northern portion of the Virginia Tech campus. (Original Drawing, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
F is for Faux Campus
Prompt 2.01 Campus of the Imagination; Drawing and text; Monday, Nov. 3.
In my original sketch of the Drillfield and the area surrounding it, I didn’t initially include some dirt paths near paved paths. This makes me wonder if the angular paths were placed in the Drillfield as a result of other paths like this one, marked with a star on the map after the initial sketch. This unimportant path seems to have never been registered in my memory as it a very close to a paved path and blends in with the vegetation. Where else have these dirt paths gone unnoticed? (90)
Figure 6: A sketch of the center of Virginia Tech campus. (Original Drawing, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
G is for Garbage
Prompt 2.24 A Mediation on Garbage; Photograph and text; Tuesday, Oct. 28.
I was going to my car and I noticed a plastic bag nearby. These bags that roll around on the street, tumbleweeds as I call them, are the majority of trash I see on campus. This bag appeared to come from a car idling nearby waiting for its driver to return. Most bags I see like this end up on the building corners after the wind blows them and are picked up before the following day. While this is an example of littering, the trash isn’t too egregious on campus. (90)
Figure 7: A photograph of litter on the ground near Latham Hall. (Original Photograph, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
H is for Hill
Prompt 3.13 Seven-Day Walk; Photograph and text; Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Returning to the parking lot where my car is requires I traverse a large hill, after walking for 10 or more minutes prior to. This area has a fork, one path leading to Hillcrest Hall, the other leading to the parking lots. It’s best to think of this area as a machine to strengthen the hamstring muscles, the faster the walk, the better the muscular growth. During the Fall season, a person on a large mower can be seen blowing the leaves back onto the grass from the paved regions. (90)
Figure 8: A photo of a hill path leading to Hillcrest Hall. (Original Photograph, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
I is for Inclusive
Prompt 3.20 Observing Accessibility; Photograph and text; Wednesday, Nov. 12.
My walks on the way home included passing by a trail of mulch and dirt laid out next to set of stairs. This accessibility is seen in a lot of places throughout campus, but some areas have confusing or obscurely placed wheelchair-accessible paths. These obscure paths will be on the other side of a medium, so to say, and blocked by vegetation, making it hard to see at first. While not blank, having more straight forward, obviously placed accessibility is something for future projects to consider with more thought. (90)
Figure 9: A photograph of an inclined trail next to a staircase near Davidson Hall. (Original Photograph, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
J is For Jog
Prompt 2.13 Step Counting Metrics; Audio and text; Wednesday, Oct. 29.
My iPhone tracks steps whenever not in lower power mode. I didn’t pay mind to the numbers in the past, but since I began tracking my calories, I check to see what my step count is for the day, to then see if I can have another small meal. A typical ten minute walk on campus is a little over 1000 steps, while my jogs later in the day can be between 1200 to 2000 steps, depending on if I’m going small or large strides for my mile or more. (90)
Audio track 1. A 4-second audio recording of feet moving on the ground. (Original Recording, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
K is for Killing Cold
Prompt 3.23 Daily Walk List; Text; Friday, Nov. 14.
Day 1, Friday:Two opposing-direction pedestrians bump into each other on the sidewalk, one is unapologetic while the other is confused. Leaves were blown onto the sidewalk in abundance. I start to feel a sickness in the back of my throat.
Day 2, Monday: Extreme winds combined with frigid temperatures, unbearable with my cold. Nose consistently sniffling, needed a tissue in my hand the whole walk. Few students outside, some aren’t wearing enough clothing for the temperatures.
Day 3, Tuesday: Extreme winds with warmer weather, almost bearable. Sniffling nose, not as bad with sudafed taken. Every student is layered properly.
Day 4, Wednesday: Sun is out, not many clouds. Everyone is wearing less layers today. My nose isn’t sniffling at all.
Day 5, Thursday: I no longer feel sick. Nose rarely sniffles during walk. More people outside today.
This week tested me. I tried my best this semester to stay fully free of germs, but some things are inevitable and my cold wasn’t nearly the worst thing about these five days. A trial run of Winter came to Blacksburg, I need some better insulating clothing. I will be ready next time. (180)
L is for Leafy
Prompt 3.11 Smellscape Mapping; Drawing and text; Wednesday, Nov. 12.
As Fall wraps up and the cold days become more frequent, I think back to some of the smells of the season that stick with me. The smell of freshly cut grass at the DrillField. The peppery scent coming from the leaves that fall near my face. The rarer smell, one of leaves sitting directly under the sun on a cloudless day. There are obviously other smells to go along with the season and its festivities, but leaves and grass are the only motifs I use to think about it. (90)
Figure 10: A drawing of a walking map inspired by Virginia Tech and its surroundings. (Original Drawing, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
M is for Movings
Prompt 2.18 A wish for Something to be Different; Audio and text; Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Being a college campus, there are many people trying to go to many places, with many deadlines to be met. There are radar speed signs throughout the campus, and when I pass by one, the numbers of the cars passing are 35+ miles per hour a lot of the time. This speed is in areas with many crosswalks and many students, so I wish the speedsters would take a hint and slow down. This may require them to start their day a few minutes earlier, but safety is most important. (90)
Audio track 2. A 9-second audio recording of cars on the road. (Original Recording, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
N is for Noise
Prompt 2.04 Overhead, Less Context; Audio and text; Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Today’s biweekly 3:15 PM walk consisted of fast-walking pedestrians and a group of students in front of me talking about Calculus 2 and one of the topics reviewed, long division. One of the group members states his fear of this topic loudly in the audio recording. Every day, when I walk from the Graduate Life Center Building to McBryde Hall for DiffEq, there’s a new conversation I unintentionally eavesdrop. Most conversations give insight into the relatable struggles of other students learning STEM topics, or general struggles of a young adult. (90)
Audio track 3. A 9-second audio recording in between peak class time near the Campus Drillfield. (Original Recording, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
O is for Odd
Prompt 3.01 Reflective Preparatory Writing; Text; Thursday, Nov. 6.
During my eight grade year in 2017, I would walk on the balls of my feet. As a result, I had balance problems and was clumsy. My stepbrothers took notice, correcting my walk and telling me about walking with my heels first, then toes, in an efficient, fluid motion. Since then, I’ve had more control over my walking and am able to easily adjust speed, depending on the pedestrian traffic. This is especially useful when walking in groups, as the speeds of the group vary widely throughout a single walk. (90)
P is for Parking
Prompt 2.19 Duck Pond; Photograph and text; Tuesday, Sept. 30.
My day starts when I park in one of the commuter lots on the southern side of Virginia Tech. A fifteen to twenty-minute walk follows finding a space for my car to bake. There’s unfortunately no vegetation to fill the interiors of the lot, so it ends up being very warm in the surrounding area. Some cars are parked when I arrive at the campus and when I leave in the late evening hours. I wonder how many of the people that park in Duck Pond Lot live on campus. (90)
Figure 11: A night photo of the Duckpond Road Lot parking area near the Human and Agricultural Biosciences Building. (Original Photograph, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
Q is for Quality
Prompt 2.02 Shoe Portraits, Shoe Memories; Photograph and text; Wednesday, Nov. 12.
These shoes have landed on and left the ground at least a million times, judging by some extremely rough estimates after checking my step count on my phone. They have gotten very muddy, been hand cleaned, been washer cleaned, and been outside-rain cleaned – on accident – plenty of times. The day of retirement is impending for these sneakers, but as long as I’m too lazy to find the next perfect walk shoe, and as long as the soles don’t fail, these shoes will carry me a million more times. (90)
Figure 12: A photograph of shoes taken on Virginia Tech Campus. (Original Photograph, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
R is for Rain
Prompt 2.03 Overhead at Time of Day; Photograph and text; Thursday, Oct. 30.
After twenty minutes of rain and a walk near the southern side of campus, the Sun began to peak through the clouds. I started to look over in the direction of the Sun and noticed some farm area I usually glance at when I pass through the parking lot. This time there were no animals outside and the voluminous clouds won most of my attention. The cloud seemed closer than normal, maybe only a mile away. I heard some planes above but could not see them or their lights either. (90)
Figure 13: A photograph of the surrounding land and sky of the Duck Pond Road Lot. (Original Photograph, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
S is for Storage
Prompt 2.23 The Things You Carry; Photograph and text; Wednesday, Oct. 29.
To have a successful day of classes, I bring in my backpack, from most to least important: laptop, binder, 3-subject notebook, 1-subject notebook, calculator, pencils, pens, a water bottle, lipbalm, and hand sanitizer. The former seven items are to be able to do coursework and homework; the latter three items are for my maintenance throughout a long six to seven hour day on campus, where I need to stay hydrated and clean. About once a month, I’ll forget to bring along one of these items, it cannot be the laptop. (90)
Figure 14: A photograph of the contents of a backpack taken in Torgersen Hall. (Original Photograph, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
T is for Tree
Prompt 2.10 Favorite Tree, A Note of Appreciation; Photograph and text; Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Dear Tree, during midday, when the sun is beaming and the UV rays are hitting at their maximum power level, you provide a nice break from the blistering heat that accumulates on my nape. The first tree along the flat and straight portion of West Campus Drive, you are the beginning of a short, but appreciated, moment of shade along my journey to class. I wonder if you find the 12 PM sun to be as irritating as I do. I hope you receive some rain and clouds soon, buddy. (90)
Figure 15: A photograph of a cathedral elm tree near to the Department of Entomology building. (Original Photograph, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
U is for Uninterrupted
Prompt 3.02 Flânerie; Audio and text; Friday, Nov. 28.
I don’t wander aimlessly much when outside, in an effort to be efficient with my time. I do occasionally find myself walking around during an interval of time where I have no responsibilities and feel a true independence that I rarely get as a student who still depends on my parents financially. Being outside without responsibility is different from inside my own house, which is paid for by my parents, and that feeling of independence is a space I hope to be surrounded by once I find more career success. (90)
Audio track 4. A 6-second audio recording of a public area. (Original Recording, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
V is for Very Appalachian Mountains
Prompt 2.03 Overhead at Time of Day; Photograph and text; Thursday, Nov. 27.
Every year in November, all of my family come together to celebrate Thanksgiving. The holiday includes around thirty to forty family members and is hosted at my great grandfather’s farm in West Virginia. He built a very large three-story house on it. He is still with us to this day and gives a speech before the big meal. Most of the family brings their own special recipes which are laid out in the kitchen. Just outside of the kitchen is the big hill everyone must descend to reach the house. (90)
Figure 16: A photograph of a farm hill near Princeton, West Virginia. (Original Drawing, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
W is for Walking
Prompt 2.17 Desire Paths; Photograph and text; Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Infrastructure is a necessity for travel in the modern world, but sometimes the mind of a person decides saving a few seconds with additional measures is worth it. Paths created by increasingly popular movement through grass can be seen throughout the Virginia Tech campus, like on the Drillfield or other areas with rounded pavement. The Drillfield is an interesting case in particular as the more pavement paved, the more paths formed. These paths are traveled in the morning, the afternoon, and rarely at night, when students have already returned home. (90)
Figure 17: A photo of desire path near Litton Reaves Lot during the evening hours. (Original Photograph, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
X is for Xeno
Prompt 2.22 Stairs versus Elevator; Audio and text; Friday, Nov. 21.
Near Hancock Hall, there is an elevator I see every time I walk to my Data Structures and Algorithms class. The elevator is in a tiny, elevated shelter that leads to the lower level, which consists of Buchard Hall. This elevator is one of many that I’ve had the chance to take throughout college, but I choose stairs instead because of wanting to have daily ROM stimulation for my knees, which I had surgeries for in high school. I might change my ways if I see eight flights one day. (90)
Audio track 5. A 1-second audio recording of an elevator ding. (Original Recording, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
Y is for Yips in the Distance
Prompt 3.09 Sound Archive; Audio and text; Thursday, Nov. 27.
Going for a nightly walk around my neighborhood brings the typical sounds one might hear around them. The most common noise is the chirping of crickets and grasshoppers in the grass near houses. More rarely, there is a faint, monotone or high-pitched cry from a bird. The bird may be an owl or another nocturnal, flying predator. I feel less alone and more engaged during my walk when I hear that, it makes the night feel alive but not to the point of feeling unsafe in my suburban sprawl. (90)
Audio track 6. A 5-second audio recording of ambient neighborhood noise.. (Original Recording, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)
Z is for Zoom
Prompt 2.18 A Wish for Something to be Different; Photograph and text; Tuesday, Sep. 30.
Everyday, I walk along Campus Drive, the main, high-traffic road on Campus at Virginia Tech. When I walk south and head up the slope portion, I see a lot of fast moving cars, electric scooters, and bikes. Looking towards the bike lane, all the concerned faces of the students going down the hill on mode of transportation is interesting to watch. During the Spring 2025 semester, I watched a student going down the slope on an electric scooter get hit by a car as it was turning, not noticing pedestrians. (90)
Figure 18: A photograph of the bike lane on West Campus Drive, near Smyth Hall. (Original Photograph, Otoniel Bobé Cummings)