College is a place where you meet some of your very best friends. You get to make some of the best memories and experience new things. College is a time where you get involved in Greek life or different organizations. Some clubs you might hate. They are not what you expected, they're not fun, they're not memorable and they don't change you as a person. Some, however, are some of your best college memories. So much good comes from a certain organization. You could say that organization has changed your life. Well, I have one of those for me. And it's time I gave them a thank you.

Only four months ago I decided to new join a new organization. I was involved in other clubs as well but I wanted something new and a new to way meet friends. So, I went to a call-out meeting of an all-women, social-philanthropic organization called Independent Council. Ever since that call-out meeting that my roommate dragged me to (thanks, roomie), my life has changed for the better and I learned that my life and myself became more positive in a time when I need it the most.

I have friends and I know that. It was that transition from first semester to second semester that I was struggling. I wasn't depressed but I felt a little lost. I didn't exactly know what friends I really had (but I never forgot the ones I've had with me the whole time, shout out to you, you know who you are) or where I "fit in". My grades were fine, my family was great but I just felt unsatisfied and like my social life was struggling. I'm just an introvert by nature but I wanted something or someone who could push me out of my comfort zone and push me to more extroverted. I had no idea where I would find that.

I decided going to a call-out meeting about a social-philanthropic organization would not hurt anything. And I was so right. Just at the call-out meeting alone, I met two amazing girls that are some of my closest college friends now. I got involved with my roommate and best friend so I felt more comfortable with someone by myself even though I didn't need that because Independent Council (IC) is so accepting of every girl.

There is so much diversity in across this group of women and it makes my heart so happy. Women who are supporting other women, Women who are befriending and being kind to other women. Women who are giving back to amazing causes but also know how to have a good time. The motto is, "be who you want to be with IC" and those words are so true. Women of different ethnicity, races, sexual orientations, countries, majors, etc love each other, accept each other, and empower each other.

This organization has made me feel like I belong somewhere and I can be whoever I want to be without any judgment. Just pure support, encouragement, excitement, and love for who I am and what I do and for that, I am so thankful.

So, thanks, IC, for making my second semester so fun, amazing and happy. Thanks for giving me a place, a person and a thousand memories. I can't wait to see what is yet to come.