Just as there’s no cookie-cutter approach to being a student at Principia, there’s no one way to define freedom here.

To one student, freedom may be the long hours at the library followed by a midnight jam session under the Pub. One group of friends stayed up all night just to be at Krispy Kreme the minute the first fresh donuts of the day were served — then drove back to campus with donuts for their friends, watching the sunrise. Maybe freedom is heading down to a concert at Blueberry Hill in the U City Loop — yes, on a school night. Or maybe it’s the St. Louis International Film Festival that catches your attention. Then again, you might just want to lift weights or take a swim at 9 p.m. You can do all of this, and more, at Principia College — but there’s something a little more profound going on here. At Principia you’re free to develop your independence and individuality — some might say “spread your wings” — and see where you go. Are you ready for the adventure?

And are you ready for the challenges that come hand-in-hand with freedom? The woman who founded Principia articulates this partnership pretty well: “We want students that are learning to demonstrate Principle in their thinking — students with a purpose in life and enough self-discipline to fulfill that purpose” (Mary Kimball Morgan, Education at The Principia, p. 119). Don’t let that word “self-discipline” be intimidating. Principia gives you the tools to live a productive and purposeful life — as a student and beyond — and it gives you the freedom to do so with your own personal flair.

At the only college in the world for Christian Scientists, take hold of the freedom to grow, to challenge, to observe, to engage, to understand, and to heal the world. Be free to figure out the best way for your individuality to shine on.

Classes are over. It’s time for dinner. Then Will Buchanan heads to the Jam Factory to practice with his band, Briars Road. It’s 6:30 p.m. And it’s going to be a busy night.

“Next I have a three-hour class,” he says. “Advanced Writing Seminar.” The class that qualifies you to be a writing tutor. Okay, three hours, but it’s only one night a week. Manageable.

The evening continues with a 10 p.m. date at the Pub. Will always orders a cookie dough milkshake, and his girlfriend usually gets something with a French-sounding name. They’re ready for a game of Blokus.

At 10:30, Will has to head to the library to meet up with some “American Foreign Policy” classmates. They’re preparing for a graded in-class discussion tomorrow. Will’s meeting actually isn’t until 11, but he needs to do some research and prep first!

He can’t take too long, though, because he’s due back at Rackham Court at midnight for an informal pool tournament with his buddies. (As house president last quarter Will made sure the house bought new cues, and he’s determined to get his money’s worth out of them.) Some girls are watching Smallville over on the couches.

Will heads upstairs to his room a little before 1 a.m., taking a few minutes to get his stuff ready for the next morning. He hops in bed and sets his alarm for 7:50. He has an 8:00 class . . . .