Being in college makes it so easy to look past all the differences of those around you. Universities and colleges across the country are full of students from every walk of life. Some students are from the middle of nowhere and have no idea what some things even are while other students have seen more of the world than some people do in their whole life. College is truly a melting pot of unique people.

College is the time to discover who you really want to be and find the things you love. It's the time where you start to grow into the person you'll be one day. This time can easily be confusing because you're learning so much about yourself and you are surrounded by other people doing the exact same thing. It's okay to be confused, but don't let your confusion blind you from your true self. Learn who you are and what makes you who you are.

Every person has aspects of themselves that are apart of who they are as a person. Each person is made up of little pieces like their interests and passions. To live a life truly worth living everyone has to accept all the pieces of themselves and follow the path they set you on. Whether your passion drives you to leave your home or the love of your life helps you build a life you never dreamed of wanting, accept it. If you accept who you are and live your life the way you want to, you can have an amazing life.

Accepting yourself is only part of the process though because there's always going to be people telling you a different way to live your life. People believe they know best and most people even have good intentions but remember only you can define your life. You may learn from those around you and take advice from others, but your life should only be lived the way you want to live it. Don't let other's opinions or views or ideals shape your life if they're not what you really want.

I have lived my life the way I want to, but I have faced plenty of criticism for it. Teachers tell me to wear pants in the winter even when it's my choice and doesn't affect them. Fellow students tell me that I'm an overachiever because I like to learn and go beyond what is taught in class. My brother has told me I need to change who I am and how I act because that's what guys like. My grandmother believes that my beliefs aren't valid because it disagrees with hers. Through all of these people telling me how to live my life, I made the choice to not listen.

I take from their perspective and see how they think as a way to expand my world view, but I don't compromise who I am for them. People will always judge, it's just how most people are, but it doesn't mean their judgements about you are fair or correct. Only you can judge yourself and the life you live. I make the choice to live my life being 100% authentic to who I am no matter what other people think and I believe you should too.