“The raccoon is out again,” my sister joked, watching as I grabbed napkins from the table and carefully tore a piece off my paper plate, avoiding the pizza grease. I laughed and tucked the scraps into my purse, excited to remember the pizza of Gualala, California, for years to come.
I am a proud member of the “Junk Journal” community. I collect things from my everyday life—receipts, napkins, packaging, tags, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, even paper plates—and use them to create artistic spreads that preserve moments and memories.
While some might see these items as disposable, I see meaning. I choose to see these scraps as reminders that there is so much to be grateful for.
When I look at my “Junk Journal” spread from Gualala, I’m instantly back: the laughter, the quiet comfort, the feeling of being fully present with my family as we spent the day hiking and eating.
Those small moments make our memories whole. They become the foundation of meaning, and often, belonging.
At the University of Michigan, I’m constantly reminded of little moments that have led to formative experiences for me. Sometimes I pinch myself when I think of how much my life changed from attending Festifall for 30 minutes during my freshman year, bringing me to some of my closest friends.
This time, instead of joining a new organization or working a table to recruit members, I went to Winterfest to hear what growth, belonging and community mean to students.
I spoke with students and kept scraps from each interaction as a way to remember these moments, and to physically visualize and internalize all the uniqueness that creates the U-M community.
These conversations shaped the lessons I took away from Winterfest: how belonging forms, identity evolves and timing doesn’t matter as much as we think.
Growing with others
For many students, belonging doesn’t come from instant connection, it grows over time. Student organizations offer space to evolve with others, rather than figuring things out alone.
“The best thing about this organization is the authenticity and the acceptance of your authenticity,” said Morgan, a member of Urban Wordsmith Society, a student organization that focuses on poetry, music and other creative pursuits.
“A lot of people fear being vulnerable and still being loved and accepted. I joined the club last year, and it did wonders for my writing, expression and identity.”
Morgan shared that all the members are in a completely different place from where they started, and watching that growth—knowing she played a part in it and witnessed it firsthand—has been important to her college experience.
Robin, an assistant general manager at WCBN, initially joined the student radio station to meet new people and expand his musical horizons. After getting closer to people, he found much more—a place that feels like home on campus.
Initially, neither Morgan or Robin knew that the small act of putting themselves out there would change their lives. But it did. They found a source of comfort and inspiration within the larger student body.
Meeting yourself in a new way
Lucas joined Shift Creator Space—a multidisciplinary creator club on campus spanning art, music, engineering and computer science—because he wanted more from his college experience.
As a computer science major, Lucas had limited opportunities to engage with art until joining Shift. Through mentorship from artist members, he discovered a passion for painting and completed a series of watercolor paintings for his Shift project, uncovering creative abilities he hadn’t previously explored.
When I asked students tabling what advice they’d give to someone looking to get involved, nearly all said the same thing: put yourself out there—and you won’t always feel ready, but do it anyway.
Madina, co-president of “What the F Magazine,” said that joining helped her discover interests that align with who she is. “I came to the university with so many aspirations and goals, but it was still hard to find something I really liked,” she said.
“This organization helped me realize what stories and creative spaces actually feel like me.”
Getting involved isn’t always about finding a group that fits who you already are. Sometimes, it’s about discovering parts of yourself you didn’t know existed.
It’s never too late
As conversations continued, one theme became clear: Everyone was searching for a place where they could feel comfortable being themselves.
I expected most attendees to be first-year students, but Winterfest proved to be for students of all years and backgrounds. Two seniors, Ella and Amita, told me, “We are in our second semester of our senior year and thought, ‘Let’s go to Winterfest one last time!’”
Amita added, “Each time I come to Winterfest I find so many new clubs I’ve never heard of before.”
Gabriella, a transfer student attending her first semester of in-person classes, came to the event hoping to meet likeminded people interested in pre-law.
“I’m trying to do a do-over,” Gabriella said.
Winterfest offers an easy entry point, whether you’re craving a fresh start, inspiration or a way to spend time with friends. There’s no pressure to transform or commit—showing up and letting curiosity lead you is enough.
It offers space to explore what feels right.
“It is hard not to be proud of the diversity of our student organization community while walking around Winterfest,” said Jennifer Walker, lead manager for student organizations at the Center for Campus Involvement (CCI). “From anime, to boxing, to chess, to engineering project teams, and spoken word groups, you can see it all.”
The energy put into the event speaks to how excited students are, the work CCI puts in, and the wide range of experiences and interests that makes the University of Michigan whole. I sat down with Jennifer to learn more about the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into these connections—you can read the full Q&A for more tips on finding your community.
To be continued in scraps and stickers,
Natalie