It’s as entertaining as it is scary. This year's presidential election has been a circus just as much as the "clowns" terrorizing the United States have. There are some days that I have to stop and remind myself: "Holy sh*t, this is all really happening." You see the never ending memes, the lengthy political Facebook posts (I'm guilty), the tweets, and the individuals with clipboards that are impossible to avoid on campus. I have seen a number of arguments break out between friends, family members, significant others, coworkers, and classmates. You name it - it's been argued about. Endlessly. Politics can make or break relationships, no matter what gender, age, or race. The important thing to remember is this:

Everyone has different political views - and that's okay.

I have many, many friends on my side of the political fence. I also have a number of friends on the complete opposite side of this fence. My boyfriend? Just about every single view related to politics is opposing of mine. My parents? I was raised in a strictly conservative home, but I am as far left as can be. I am 18 years old, a freshman in college, nearly a baby who has just been released into the real world. I am the girl who over shares her political views, who takes a mass amount of pride in what I think is right, and have never let down my guard when it comes to what I stand for. The one thing that I have always made sure of: I will never let all of this political anarchy ruin my relationships. You should never let your views affect your relationships at any cost.

My friends hold all sorts of political views. Yes, I will be the first to admit that although I love them, these views do tend to get on my nerves. But unless they are out to pick fights, I find it refreshing when people have opinions that are different than my own. While I do enjoy engaging in healthy debate from time to time, I have no intention of converting them. I enjoy having friends whose perspectives differ from my own, as it helps look at issues from different viewpoints. It has been wonderful and refreshing to see how active this upcoming election has made people my age. I’m really glad there has been a politically fueled fire lit in us as millennials, because these are the issues that matter. As much as many adults may say differently, millennials have the ability to change the world.

At the end of the day, whatever is going to happen, is going to happen. I have made my presidential desires clear, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that my dreams come to fulfillment.

I am not a political expert. I am not even that radically political. You don’t have to listen to me. But you can’t say I didn’t warn you.

This is my one sure way to keep the people close to you during this election season:

Think before you speak.

This is a tough, even for me. I am full of thoughts - lots of thoughts at all times, wherever I go and whatever I’m doing. I am incredibly outspoken, and anyone that knows me will tell you that. It’s taken me a long time and a lot of arguments to learn that my opinions about your choices, regardless of what they’re about, belong in my head and my head only, unless otherwise specified. Trust me, I’d love to tell you why voting for a certain candidate will drive our country straight into the ground, but I don’t. What I think will not change the outcome, but I do think it could cost us our friendship.

Keep an open outlook. Remember that every person has their right to an opinion, and keep this in mind: who would you rather lose? Your candidate in the election, or the best friend that brought you ice cream when you had a bad day? The boyfriend who was there for you when you were sobbing out of anxiety? The friend that although is in a different time zone, stays up to have three hour conversations with you? The family member that gives you the biggest hugs at Thanksgiving? The people who are most important to you. These are the things that arguing over politics can't do for you, but these people can.

So what will it be? I know what I would choose.

I have friends with different political views - and that's more than okay.

Have a happy election and see you at the polls!