Whether it be high school medals, cards, stuffed animals or even rocks, each item seems to find a place on someone’s shelf – meaningful in its own way.

It’s not uncommon for people to collect, especially for students on campus. Whether it be in their own room at home or their dorms, students each have their own little knick-knacks to display.

Cecilia de Leon, a fourth-year computer information technology major, has been collecting since they were six years old and received their first Pokémon card. Since then, they’ve collected fossils, comics, gems, old books, pamphlets, Calico Critters and even maps.

“It’s fun and good for healing your inner child,” said De Leon.

De Leon got most of their collection from thrift stores, walking around the park and through gifts from others. De Leon’s hobby of collecting various items has led them to be referred to as “the crow” by their sister.

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Cecilia de Leon

Cecilia De Leon's new pack of Pokémon cards

Rachel Jacobo, an art major and a fourth-year student at CSUN, has been seriously collecting various items for about five years. She’s always been into collectibles, starting as young as middle school. It wasn’t until 2020 that she became more serious about the hobby, getting a head start with Pop figures.

Jacobo’s collection consists of manga, figurines, plush keychains, K-pop merchandise and stickers. The items range from Sanrio characters, Monchichi, Sonny Angels and Pop figures to characters from “Jujutsu Kaisen” and “Chainsaw Man.” She also collects items from K-pop groups such as NCT, Stray Kids and RIIZE.

“Honestly, what made me want to get into more collecting was simply because it made me happy,” Jacobo said. “I do think what series that made me want to collect more was ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ though, since it is my favorite anime series.”

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Rachel Jacobo

Rachel Jacobo's collection of keychains.

Pamela Escobar, a third-year psychology major, collects similar items to Jacobo. Her collection includes figures, cards and plushies, most of which are K-pop related. The most prominent merchandise in her collection is from NCT.

Escobar began collecting because of the overall aesthetic of the items she came across. As she puts them on display in her room and carries them with her, she finds herself putting a lot of care into the types of merchandise she purchases.

“Although I do not consider myself a completionist, I really like making my room feel like my own place,” Escobar said. “So, little by little I’ve been buying things and finding ways to display them in my room, or if it’s something I can take out, I like to hang it on my bag.”

Escobar not only receives a lot of enjoyment from collecting items for herself, but also by making new friends and bonding with others who share similar tastes.

“I have made a lot of good friends with collecting,” Escobar said. “Sometimes it’s nice when you have those interactions with people where they compliment your merch if you’re wearing anything related to the same thing – it kinda adds a nice thing up to my day when I have that.”

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Pamela Escobar

Pamela Escobar's display of keychains and plushies.

Collecting is a way for people to hold on to memories, decorate their spaces or even just to make them feel good. People express themselves through their collections, creating new friendships and communities where they can showcase what they have gathered or expand their collection.