If you were born anytime between 1995-2014, you're part of Generation Z (you're not a millennial, sorry), also known as iGeneration. Calling us the iGeneration, while totally accurate, grosses me out. So, for my own benefit, I'll be referring to us as Gen Z. Call us whatever name suits you best.

Out of all of the current living generations, I'd say Gen Z gets the worst rep. I get it, right? Sometimes we're really obnoxious and wild (what up all of my fellow college students) but we're also really awesome. I don't think we get enough representation for the awesome things we're doing. Millenials have a tendency to not appreciate what Gen Z is doing to push our economy and development as humans forward, so, let's explain it to them:

1. We're pretty realistic

For example, a majority of us were alive for the 9/11 attacks, even though we were too young to really comprehend what was happening at the time, we repeat the stories and keep it alive in our hearts. We know that American isn't as untouchable as everyone would have us think. We're in a world now where bombings, shootings, and attacks have almost become an unbearable norm. So what are we doing to prepare for those things? We have drills for those things beginning when we're only in elementary school. At such a young age, we're already made aware that the world isn't this shiny ball of perfection.

2. We're able to process information much faster than previous generations

Probably thanks to apps like Snapchat, we're able to process, understand, and respond to data and information faster than say the previous generation. This increases our ability to get things done quickly, so it can't be a bad thing.

3. We want honesty

From our politicians, our parents, our boyfriends. Gen Z has an ability to see the world for what it is and we're not down to have someone lie to us about literally anything. It's annoying, we hate it, and we can generally see right through the lies. If we suspect you of lying, we'll literally google what you're talking about or stalk your social media accounts, with our iPhones, until we figure out the truth. So don't bother.

4. We're independent

This is one of my favorite things about Gen Z. We're independent in the workforce, in our schooling, and also in our relationships sometimes (which isn't always a good thing). We haven't always been as coddled as the previous generation and because of that, we've grown a better ability to stand on our own and develop our own ideas.

5. We're future-focused

Another one of my favorite things about Gen Z. Most of us have a plan. Sometimes even to the extent of a 10-year plan, which sounds bizarre at only twenty-years-old, but some people already have it figured out. In high school, we've already decided whether we're going to college or not, what we're going to do, where we want to travel, how many kids we want to have... it's impressive, really.

Next time you hear someone bashing our generation, whip out one of these reasons and tell them why we're actually freakin' awesome and why other generations should be giving us more props and appreciation.