With all the controversy surrounding this year's upcoming election, I feel like my generation needs to make it a priority to find out just exactly what it is we're voting for. College is the time for us to build our own opinions and to form our own view on life, and what better time to find out what ideals you support than an election year. It saddens me to say that some of my peers aren't really sure about anything pertaining to the upcoming election besides the high points. It's infuriating to me that a good majority of my generation fails to take these major elections seriously.

So, we all know that Trump wants to build the wall along the southern border of the U.S., but do we know his reasoning behind the wall? Have we taken the time to investigate his motives and his intentions for building said wall? Have we seen the numbers on how much money we have lost due to the presence of illegal immigrants? Do we know what else Trump plans to do for America? Do we know about his stance on foreign policy or what he plans for tax reform?

And, we all know that Bernie Sanders wants to provide free college education, but have we considered how exactly he plans to do this? Have we asked the important questions, like what it would mean not only for ourselves but for our children, to increase tax rates to pay for said free education? Do we know what his stance on social security or any other important issue is?

And, we all know that Hillary Clinton would make history by becoming the first woman president and that she claims to support basic human rights above all else. But, have we looked at her campaign website to see what else she has in store for America? Do we know where she stands on the issues of education or health care? Have we thoroughly looked into the criminal investigation that was brought upon her by the FBI?

Just a week ago, I wouldn't have been able to answer any of these questions about any of the candidates' stances on the important issues our country is currently facing. And that's the problem. What good is our support for a presidential candidate when we don't know exactly what it is we're claiming to support? This is more than gun control, this is more than free education, and this is way more than a wall. This is the future of our great nation, and it is not something to be taken lightly.

I've heard many people my age say that they support whichever presidential candidate, and when asked why they support that candidate, they honestly can't answer the question. That should scare all of us. As for the other half of the people my age, they say that they're not even voting. They don't see how their one vote could possibly make any difference.

Millenials, this is our time to step up and step in to save our country. The greatest thing about America is our democratic system, which means we get to vote and elect our government officials. If you don't vote, you don't have any say in who gets elected. Your one vote could add up with 999,999 other votes to make a million votes for the candidate you believe in. So vote. Please. Care about the future of this country (your future), and take elections seriously. In America, you get the freedom to have a voice, so use it. And vote.

With that being said, I urge all my fellow Millennials: educate yourself on each of the candidates. Be able to answer these questions about each candidate. Investigate each of their campaigns, and find out what it is you agree or disagree with. Find out what you believe is the best for America, and vote for it. Whether your opinion coincides with the majority or not, your one vote does have the power to make a change. So use it.