When I entered high school I made a decision that affected my life for four years. I decided that I did not want to be placed in a group on campus but wanted to be one that no one could label. I wanted to be me.

The way to do this, I felt, was to become a ?floater.? This word describes a person that does not settle in one social group. They are always moving, interacting and learning from all groups on campus, in this instance.

Many of the people at this school are ?lifers? or students that have been attending since kindergarten. At one time our class was a unified group of children. But as we got closer to high school and started to realize we were all drastically different people, the class began to divide.

Soon enough we found ourselves in the present, with a class somewhat united but for the most part separated into many little groups of friends, whose only bond is their past.

I felt that if I develop relationships with different groups on campus, then not only would I have a huge amount of friends, but also I would be viewed as an approachable person.

I did not feel obligated to prove correct the preconceived ideas of who I was and whom I associated with. However, I quickly learned though that the choice not to be confined to a single social group led to the feeling that I was not part of any.

I have built quality relationships with many different people on campus and do not regret my decision. I simply did not want to be typecast to one particular group.

Realizing I was confident in who I was helped me look past the crutch of my friends and learn to depend on myself. I am left with an identity all my own.