How to Stand Out on a Large Campus

A large campus can make you feel like a nobody, but there are several conventional and not-so-conventional means of making yourself stand out.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Seek office in the student government or other administrative bodies.

2. Get involved with popular organizations on campus and try to gain administrative authority.

3. Apply to be a columnist or regular contributor for your school's student newspaper or other popular campus publications.

4. Wear a silly hat. Top hats, propeller beanies and giant straw hats are sure to draw attention.

5. Carry a strange item with you at all times, such as a cactus or a stuffed iguana. If people ask you why you carry it, provide a bizarre explanation, but explain it as if it made perfect sense to you.

6. Stage a single-person mock protest for an obscure or insignificant cause, such as more beets in the cafeteria. This is particularly effective if your school is politically-minded.

7. Spend your free time between classes making scenes in areas where students gather. Hold up large signs with strange messages to draw people in, then put on an impromptu puppet show or interpretive dance.

8. Form a student group dedicated to yourself. Register the group with your school's administration and publicize the group through any appropriate means. If you're asked why you're important enough to have your own student group, reply with, "If you don't know, you'd better join and find out!"

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that all of your publicity stunts are performed in accordance with campus rules and regulations.

[Camelopardalis]

on 4/2/2008 Is this some sort of joke? Why would you start a club dedicated to yourself? You should use your intellect and talents to stand out, not stupid, childish gimmicks. I sincerely sympathize with anyone who takes the article seriously.

[Camelopardalis]

on 4/2/2008 I took this article seriously up until the 4th point. Is this a joke of sorts? Why would you create a club dedicated to yourself? I feel sorry for the writer of this article and anyone who has taken it seriously!

on 8/8/2006 If everybody else is trying to "stand out," then don't! This in and of itself will set you apart from all those funny hat wearing, cafeteria beet shortage protesting, stuffed Iguana packing, interpretive dancing, "individuals" on campus.

Think about it. If you are a rebel in a counter culture society, then are you truly a rebel, or just another freaky looking sheep?

on 3/30/2006 Best way I've stood out on campus is my wardrobe. Mind you, I didn't do this on purpose. I have a tendency to mix random hats (such as fedoras, beanees, etc.) with a large Chinese parasol and bohemian outfits.
Trust me: you go to a preppy college and do anything but A&F, you will stand out.

on 11/22/2005 If you follow most of these tips, you will stand out, but you aren't going to gain any respect. Do you really want to be remembered as that crackpot out on the mall? Of course not. If you want to stand out and gain respect, follow these bits of advice:

Join popular student organizations and excel. Alternately, start your own organization or rally around some cause. Don't resort to cheesy gimmicks in a false attempt to look unique.