I didn’t exactly have a label in high school.

I wasn’t the shy girl, the popular girl, the cheerleader, the athlete, the princess or any other label. I was just me and it worked perfectly. I tried not to label myself, although I did work hard on my grades and spent most of my time in extracurricular activities and volunteer work. Some may say “nerd," but what I never imagined being called was a “straight edge.” To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure what people meant when they said that. However, I got to college and was labeled with that term by peers and friends.

For those of you who may not be knowledgeable about the term, it’s basically someone on the straight and narrow - someone who refrains from harmful substances like alcohol and drugs, someone against being sexually involved with anyone and lying. Those are all great things to be against, right? Urban Dictionary says that “straight edges” should have “pride, strength, honor and self-respect.” Again, not anything bad. It’s great if someone has all those characteristics, but when someone calls you “straight edge” in a way that makes it sound like you’re the Antichrist, then no, it’s not fun being "straight edge."

There’s nothing wrong with being "straight edge;" however, I’m not sure why someone even has to be called that to begin with. I’m 19 years old and people are calling me "straight edge" because I don’t drink or do drugs, and I’m not sexually active. Last time I checked, the drinking age was 21, so why is it such a shocker that I, at 19, have never taken a shot in my life? Why is it weird that I don’t find smoking pot a hobby, that I would rather stay clean and healthy? And the fact that I’m not sexually active, as Olive Penderghast in "Easy A" said, “it is nobody’s goddamn business.”

I’m not ashamed I haven’t drank. I’m not ashamed I’ve never smoked. And I’m not ashamed I choose to wait before partaking in sexual activity. However, so many people say it is a bad thing. They say it like there’s something wrong with me for never having done any of this. I don’t judge people who do these things, so don’t judge me because I don’t.

So here’s the thing about being "straight edge": don’t call me that. I’m not "straight edge" by choosing not to do things other people my age might. I am proud to be a "good girl" - but "straight edge," when said like an insult, means I take it as one. It’s just not in my life’s plan or aligns with my values. I would love to be proud of being “straight edge”: someone who is self-respecting and strong. But when people say it in a negative context -that I’m some nerdy, introvert, Christian girl that is a “narc” and “weird” - then it becomes a problem. When did a 19-year-old who decides not to drink, do drugs and hook up become atypical? So atypical that they call it “straight edge?” I can take a joke, but I won’t take a label. So don’t call me "straight edge" for my life choices.

Next time you think to call me "straight edge," remember that it can also mean I’m self-respecting, proud, strong and honorable. If you use it to insult me, it will only make me that much stronger, that much prouder, that much more honorable and that much more self-respecting.

I’m proud to be who I am - not "straight edge." I'm just a normal college girl living her life by her own choices and doing pretty well at it.