The Traveling Diary Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in the Traveling Diary Smith College Tour!
Before you sign up, please take a moment to review the guidelines below. They outline how the process works—whether you’re a current student or an alum—so you’ll know what to expect when the diary reaches you.
While students and alums will each contribute to their own dedicated physical diary, every entry, digital included becomes part of the larger Smith story. Your words, reflections, and creativity will help capture the spirit of our community—past, present, and future.
The diaries are passed from one participant to the next with care. Let’s keep that momentum going and make this a shared experience to remember.
In celebration of 150 years of Smith stories, we honor these agreements to guide our shared experience as students and alums participating in the Traveling Diary.
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Shared Responsibility
We each play a part in shaping a community where all voices are welcomed and
respected. Our words, actions, and energy have impact. We reject hate, bias, and
exclusion in all forms—racism, sexism, ableism, classism, ageism, fatphobia, homophobia, transphobia, and beyond. When harm happens, we take responsibility and lean toward one another to repair and grow. -
Patience & Presence
This is not a race. Whether physical or digital, each diary entry is part of a larger
unfolding. Participants have 5 days to read, reflect, and contribute. If something comes
up, we communicate so the circle continues with care. The magic is in moving at the
pace of presence. -
Brave Space
We’re co-creating a brave space where honesty, vulnerability, and imperfection are
welcome. We protect this space by holding boundaries, practicing accountability, and
approaching one another with openness—even in disagreement. This is a learning
space, not a perfect one. -
No Contests
There is no competition here. No one story is more important than another. We let go of
comparison and show up as we are. Whether your entry is a paragraph, a poem, or a
personal reflection—it matters. -
Authentic Connection
We seek real connection—on the page, in person, and online. This might look like
sharing your truth in the diary, attending a gathering, or simply reading someone else’s
words with care. We listen deeply and write with heart. -
Investment
Meaningful community doesn’t just happen—it’s built. By writing in the diary, passing it
on, and showing up fully, we honor this collective project. We invest in each other by
being present, thoughtful, and consistent. -
Radical Kindness
We practice kindness not as a soft option but as a radical act. We include ourselves in
that kindness, too. Whether you're writing your first entry or reading your fiftieth, this is a space for grace, gentleness, and generosity. -
The Fine Print
You can write anything you’d like. Please remain respectful. If an entry is shared that is not in alignment with the community agreements, Smith College and the Conway Center maintain the right to remove the entry from the final bound edition.
Participants have 5 days to read, write, and process the journal. Then you will need to return the book to Smith so everyone can have a chance to participate.
All writings will be private within the context of sharing the diary among participants, program administrators, and archival visitors. That means, do not share entries outside of your own, to the public.
The Conway Center intends to do a live reading of selected entries in April 2026, with explicit consent of the writer. Please know we may reach out for this consent at a later date. You are not obligated to allow a live reading of your diary submission.
Diary entries will be digitized, re-bound into a hardcover book, and archived after the completion of the project. More information to come.
Here's what to expect once your diary is on the way.
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Receiving the Diary
You’ll get a physical diary mailed to you, so keep an eye out! -
Add Your Voice
You’ll have 5 days to add your story, artwork, poem, or any expression you feel moved to share. Make it yours! -
Upload a Backup
Before dropping the diary off, please upload photos of your completed pages to the secure folder linked sent by email. This helps preserve your contribution in case the diary is ever misplaced or damaged. -
Drop It Off at the Conway Center
Once you’ve made your contribution, drop the diary off at the Conway Center in the designated drop box (or follow any updated instructions provided). We’ll handle getting it to the next participant.
Sharing & Consent
By participating, you're granting us permission to share your entry—whether in print, online, or in future creative projects. We may highlight your work (with appreciation, not compensation). All submissions remain part of the Traveling Diary™ archive.
Honor the Community
Please respect the privacy of others. Keep anything personal you read in the diary confidential—this is a space built on trust, creativity, and connection.
Here's what to expect once your diary is on the way.
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Receiving the Diary
We’ll mail the diary to the address you provide. When it arrives, take a moment to soak it in—you’re part of something special. -
Add Your Story
You’ll have 5 days to write, draw, collage, or reflect. There’s no right or wrong way to show up on these pages—just bring your truth, your memories, or your imagination. -
Upload a Backup
Before mailing the diary back, please upload photos of your completed pages to the secure folder linked (this will be provided to you in an email). This helps preserve your contribution in case the diary is ever lost or damaged in transit to us. -
Send It Back to Smith College
Use the prepaid return envelope included with the diary to mail it back to Smith College. All shipping costs are covered by Smith College and The Conway Center, so you won’t need to pay for postage.
Sharing & Consent
By participating, you're granting us permission to share your entry—whether in print, online, or in future creative projects. We may highlight your work (with appreciation, not compensation). All submissions remain part of the Traveling Diary™ archive.
Community Care
Please respect the privacy of others. Keep anything personal you read in the diary confidential—this is a space built on trust, creativity, and connection.
Here's what to expect once your diary is on the way.
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Receive the Link
When it’s your turn, you’ll receive an email with a secure link to access the digital diary.
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Add Your Voice
Click the link to open the diary and create your entry. You can:
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Type directly into the document
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Paste in a prewritten piece
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Upload images or audio to personalize your page
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Share a story, memory, poem, reflection, collage, or your vision for Smith’s future
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Submit When Finished
Once your page feels complete, click submit to add it to the collection.
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You're All Set!
Your entry becomes part of the digital archive, joining the voices of Smith students and alums from around the world.
Sharing & Consent
By participating, you're granting us permission to share your entry—whether in print, online, or in future creative projects. We may highlight your work (with appreciation, not compensation). All submissions remain part of the Traveling Diary™ archive.
Community Care
Please respect the privacy of others. Keep anything personal you read in the diary confidential—this is a space built on trust, creativity, and connection.