The Art of Figuring it Out
"There is so much energy in the student body," said senior Brooke Hira about her time at Duke. “It creates space to try things without too much pressure, and to figure out what actually sticks.” (Photo courtesy of Hira)
By the time Brooke Hira graduates, she will have built a Duke experience that stretches across disciplines and interests. Hira, an Art History and Visual Arts major with a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies and a certificate in Information Science and Studies, has spent the past four years exploring the intersections between technology, creativity and community, which often appeared in places she’d never expected when she first arrived on campus.
Looking back, Hira says she wishes her 17-year-old self worried a little less about having everything mapped out.
“I remember feeling like every decision, from choosing a college to picking a major, was going to define the rest of my life,” she said. “At the time, it felt so permanent, like one wrong choice would ruin everything.”
But her time at Duke has reshaped that perspective. “Nothing is as fixed as it seems when you’re 17,” Hira said. “You’re not choosing one single path, you’re stepping into a space full of possibilities. It is okay to change your mind, try new things, and realize something is not right for you and move in a different direction.”
That mindset has guided her experience at Duke: Some of her most memorable moments have come from activities she didn’t initially picture herself pursuing.
"You’re not choosing one single path, you’re stepping into a space full of possibilities."
She became involved with Freewater Productions, Duke’s student-run film production company, and played intramural futsal. Most recently, she stepped fully outside her comfort zone by performing in a mainstage play with Theater Studies.
Being open to trying new experiences has also shaped her friendships. Hira said many of her closest relationships came through the organizations, productions and teams she joined along the way.
Duke’s culture, she said, creates space for students to experiment and discover what matters most to them. “There is so much energy in the student body around getting involved,” she said. “It creates space to try things without too much pressure, and to figure out what actually sticks.”
"When I take care of myself first, I’m able to show up better in everything else I do."
Alongside those discoveries came an important lesson about balance. Like many students, Hira found it easy to push her own well-being aside during busy stretches of exams, papers and projects.
“One of the biggest lessons I have learned at Duke is that taking care of my health, both mental and physical, matters just as much as my academic success, if not more,” she said. “When I actually take care of myself first, I’m able to show up better in everything else I do.”
A key influence in Hira’s academic journey has been Edward Triplett, assistant professor of the practice of Art, Art History & Visual Studies. The first class she took with him, Medieval Castles of Europe, helped introduce her to the possibilities of combining history with digital tools like 3D modeling and visualization.
“From the start, his enthusiasm for what he teaches made a huge impact on me,” Hira said. “Whether talking about castles, cartography, or gothic cathedrals, his passion makes it easy to stay engaged and feel comfortable asking questions.”
Through Triplett’s mentorship, Hira began exploring the intersection of history and digital media, helping her shape the direction of her studies in visual arts. “He constantly pushes me to learn new software, experiment with different techniques, and think in new ways,” she said. “At the same time, he has always been someone I can turn to for support whenever I need it.”
As she prepares to leave Duke, Hira carries with her the lesson she hopes incoming first-year students take time to learn: you don’t need a perfectly mapped path to make the most of your journey.