When you get to college, in almost every scenario, whether it be social, academic, professional, you will get asked to give your "spiel"—Name, hometown, classification, and major. In Aggie-speak, it goes a little something like this: Howdy! (Howdy!) My name is Alaina Reyes, I am a freshman business major from San Antonio; but more importantly, I am the LOUDEST and PROUDEST member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2020! AAAAAAAAA!

However, once you start to apply to the dozens of student organizations you hope to join almost every application includes one seemingly simple question: Who are you?

As I filled out applications, I paused for a second and realized I had no idea how to answer this question. Did it mean my basic spiel or something more? I began to think that maybe it did mean something more, and I sat there trying to figure out what to say. How could I be 18 years old and not know how to answer that question? I couldn't find the words to explain who I am. I could go with the bland answer and say I'm an Aggie and an older sister and blah blah blah. I could list off the TV shows I love and recite a few Michael Scott quotes. But I realized that none of that is serious. That's not who I am, those are things I can't control and things I like.

I became curious on how other people respond to this question. I texted several people close to me and simply asked: Who are you? I provided no examples, no guidelines, only asking that it be a few sentences. Here's what they said...

My mom: "I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend and an animal lover. Not necessarily in that order, and not all at once!"

My younger sister, age 11: "Since I'm still pretty young I haven't fully found out who I fully am. But what I do know about myself is that I'm a kind, athletic animal lover. I'm on my school's dance team and I love it."

A close friend, age 20: "I am a Christian trying to find my place in the world. I love God, the earth, and all things Disney."

My boyfriend, age 20: "I am a guy trying to enjoy life while also setting up success for the future. I'm trying to work hard in college while balancing it with my social life, a wonderful girlfriend, and my undying love for gaming." (I made him add the part about me lol)

My younger sister, age 14: "I'm extremely shy when I first meet people but once I get closer to a person I'm funny and outgoing, and I always speak my mind. I spend most of my time saying sarcastic remarks, watching The Office, and laughing a lot more than I probably should. I do sometimes get insecure, thinking that I'm not good enough for my friends and family. But overall, I love being the witty, goofy, redhead that I am."

This last one really struck a chord with me. I couldn't believe that my sister wrote such a mature, sincere answer.

One pattern I saw in these answers is the word "try". I "try" to enjoy life. I "try" to find my place in the world. I "try" to work hard and balance everything. And what I realized is that the question asks just that: Who are you "trying" to be? What things are you "trying" to do? Because ultimately no man is perfect. All we can do is just try to be who we want to be. Sometimes you hold yourself to an impossible standard you try to attain. Sometimes you're just trying to juggle all the things you're involved in. God made man in his own image, and we must "try" to live up to such an image. All the people I surround myself with are trying to live a good, honest life. I believe very few people approach life trying to make things negative and unfulfilling, and if you're one of those people, I hope you find what you're looking for, or whatever you think is too hard to aim for.

I'm trying to live a life I'll be proud of when I'm old and gray. I want to experience all I can. I try not to be a lazy sack of potatoes and simply stay inside waiting for things to just "happen". You have to go out and experience life. It's not going to do it for you. Set those goals you are too afraid to set. It's soooooo cliche and trite, but "shoot for the stars". Because if you're simply surviving, that's not living. Life is meant to be complicated and tiring and exciting and all those things. You just have to try.

The question shouldn't be "Who are you?" It should be "Who do you try to be?" It can be so very discouraging to satisfy what you want out of life, and it not work out in your favor. Things are messy and complex and not everything is going to go your way. But at least try. Try to achieve the goals you dream of. Take it step by step. Sad as it is, magic isn't real. You have to create the magic on your own. You have to try. I obviously cannot stress that enough.

So, who am I?

My name is Alaina Reyes and I don't know who I am. But I do know who I am trying to be. I try to be a caring daughter, girlfriend, and friend. I strive to always be there for anyone who needs me. I try to be a good citizen and friend to all. I try to help people as much as I can, and I love volunteering at the humane society where I help animals. I try to be level-headed and a good leader. I strive to have a successful career and a good family. I try to be with the people I love as much as I possibly can, and the dogs I love for that matter. I try not to burden people with my problems, but I also try not to be so hard on myself. I try to be happy and not let little things get to me.

So. Who do you try to be?