When people think of millennials, they either think that we're self-absorbed, lazy adults who live off of their parents or that we are the future. Wherever your opinion may fall, I want to prove that us "millennials" actually don't get things handed to us on a silver platter. Now, we may have been born in a time of great change (gay marriage, social media, virtual reality), but that doesn't make us different than any other generation prior to us. Shockingly, I think all of us can agree that we actually do appreciate everything that has been given to us, because after all, these things that have been given to us are what has shaped us into the people who we are today.

So, here it goes:

1. We actually do have a concept of money

Whether it be our car payments, rent, or student loans, many of us have to budget and save our money. Also, the money that we earn does not necessarily come straight out of our parent's pockets.

2. We make up the majority of the United States Workforce

Believe it or not, millennials are actually the largest generation in the United States workforce. We also are more likely to stay at a job longer than Generation X'ers. Now, that does not sound like a lazy generation to me.

3. We are the most educated generation

It has been proven that millennials are actually the most educated generation yet. Due to an increase in job qualifications, many of millennials have to earn a four year graduate degree in order to land a stable job, whereas generations before us were given more opportunity. As a result, we are the generation with the most undergraduate and graduate school degrees.

4. We aren't narcissistic- we actually care about the world

Growing up in a generation where legalizing gay marriage, climate change, and gender equality are frequently discussed, millennials have been more aware and tend to focus more on social issues such as these. We want to live in a world that has no barriers and we want to make the best of this world. We have a voice, and we want our voices to be heard.

5. We have created many technological advances and continue to do so

Living in a world with cellphones, computers, iPods, iPads, (the list could literally go on) is not easy. There is a time where we need to learn when to unplug, and start focusing on "real life social interaction". Yes, we may have answers to questions at the click of the button, and we may have the world in our hands, but that's not all that we use technology for. Millennials have already created (and are expected to create much more in the future) technological advancements that can help better our environment and the people who live in it.

We are the future, and we are not afraid to admit that. So hop off the millennial-bashing train, and get prepared for great things coming ahead.