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I was never great at making quick choices. I’m someone who likes to deliberate on things a bit. I’m more likely to go my own way. I’m not Coke or Pepsi, I’m like Fresca, see? So I’m heading into my first year of college and it seemed like I was overwhelmed with decisions:

• Where was I going to live?
• Where’s the best eats?
• Where do I spend my time between classes?
• Should I talk to that girl who keeps looking at me?
• Boxers or briefs?

My head was beginning to spin and I had barely started the ride.

Like most colleges, the university I chose to attend made a lot of effort to get students to meet and start forming new friendships. I would cautiously attend these lunches and meetings where leaders of campus organizations would try and convince you that you would make a good member of their team. It was like a fraternity rush without the Greek letters and oddly-fitting togas.

There were a lot of good groups at these gatherings, but at this point, I was looking for something more like camaraderie. The camaraderie of a fraternity at such a large school seemed chaotic, especially during rush week. It just didn’t feel personal to me.

I was looking for something different - something less structured, but more self-determined.

So some new friends and I were talking (actually, it was more like complaining) about how belonging to some groups would require too much time or too much money. The room eventually turned quiet. Most organizations just didn’t seem to address things that about which we were individually passionate. Then a friend said, “Wait, why do we have to join anything? I’m looking for unique things to do, not something conventional.”

Before we knew it, we all had cut the cord and decided to be independent students.

To me, being an independent student doesn’t mean you’re not involved or that you keep yourself separated from students that are affiliated with official organizations.
Far from it. We were merely more interested in dictating how our skills and talents would help us through school and after school. Our decision was made in the interest of leading, rather than being led. So eventually, we went from being independent students to being independent student organizers.

As independents, we were the kids on campus that used our education and resources to start small businesses, form our own action groups or organize concerts. My own small group started a graphics lab to design T-shirts and stickers to promote any idea we were interested in.

Together, we published a free monthly magazine dedicated to local art and music. We organized evening poetry readings that got many students out of a stifling classroom setting and into clubs with dim lights and music accompaniment.

Our largest undertaking - Springpeace, a celebration of music, activism and campus renewal - taught me the most about what independent students can accomplish if they set their minds to it. Picture 10 kids with no official campus affiliation rigging an 8,000 watt PA system, two stages, 14 booths for campus groups and a food wagon - all set up in the center of school grounds, ready to blast for two days. And we did it without a single dime from the university, or any campus organization.

Today, I realize that doing things my own way helped give me an edge on things that mattered after school was over with. Being an independent student doesn’t mean you’re in danger of coming out of college with a degree and a blank resumé from missed opportunities. You have the freedom to make your own opportunities.

If you feel as I did, that there just wasn’t a perfect affiliation to match your passions, I would encourage you to forge your own path. College doesn’t have to be conventional and independent does not have to mean “alone.”