For most of his childhood, Hamadi Martin didn’t even know he was being called the wrong name.

Growing up in Rockland County in the town of Nanuet, Martin was called “Marcus” by family and friends. The name change was not accidental.

He said his mother chose to call him Marcus because she disliked the name Hamadi, which he shares with his father. Because of the strained relationship between his parents, she avoided using the name altogether, leaving Martin unaware of his actual name for years.

It was not until second grade that he realized his real name was Hamadi,  the name on his birth certificate and the same name as his father. From that moment, he made a decision that would shape how he saw himself.

“If my name is Hamadi, that’s what I want to go by,” he said.

Martin’s experience reflects a larger journey many college students face as they navigate identity, independence and personal growth while adjusting to life away from home.

Martin, a twenty-one-year-old junior majoring in management information systems at SUNY Old Westbury, is still figuring out who he is but those choices have become more complicated.

Choosing where to live for college was not just about distance. It meant stepping away from home and from a family dynamic that had never been simple.

Martin grew up primarily with his mother and grandmother, while his father worked long hours building his career. His parents have been separated for years. Their relationship remains strained.

Recently, Martin made the decision to move out of his mother’s home and live with his father, who purchased a house following the success of his company. Although his mother did not fully support the decision, he moved forward with it, knowing it was a necessary step for his growth.

“That was probably one of the biggest decisions of my life,” Martin said.

At the same time, he chose to live on campus at SUNY Old Westbury instead of commuting, even though it meant being more than an hour away from home.

At a time when more students are choosing independence and campus involvement over long commutes, Martin’s decision reflects a shift toward prioritizing personal growth and immersion in college life.

“I didn’t want to stay at home,” he said. “It’s distracting. I wanted to be somewhere I could lock in.”

Living on campus has given Martin the independence he was looking for, but it has also come with challenges. From inconsistent dining options to shared dorm spaces, daily life is not always easy.

“You’re living with so many different people,” he said. “Not everyone is clean or respectful.”

Still, Martin embraces the experience. He describes himself as driven and focused, someone who continues pushing forward even when his schedule becomes overwhelming. He works long hours at his father’s logistics company, Breakaway Courier Systems, while balancing classes.

Some days begin at five a.m., when he leaves for work in New York City. He returns to campus in the late afternoon for night classes, often not finishing until late at night.

The schedule is demanding, but he sees it as part of his growth.

“I don’t mind doing both,” he said. “It benefits me because I’m learning.”

After high school, Martin described himself as naive and too willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. Now, he is more confident and more aware of his strengths and weaknesses.

“You have to understand your flaws,” he said. “Once you know them, nobody can use them against you.”

Even as he continues to grow, Martin is still figuring out his future. While he studies business and works in his father’s company, he is also exploring other interests and trying to find his own path, even as he considers the possibility of taking over the family business.

“I want to try different things,” he said. “I don’t want to be single-minded.”

As Martin continues navigating independence and preparing for a future in business, his college experience marks a turning point in his life.

Looking back, he sees every challenge, from family struggles to personal growth, as part of a larger journey.

“All the different things that have happened to me are the reasons I am the way I am today,” he said.

For Martin, independence is not just about living away from home. It is about becoming the person he chooses to be.