For many people in our generation, growing up meant hanging out with friends, middle school drama, bonfires, high school parties, and just having fun being a teen. Some of us, however, lived in a very different world; one where your greatest worries weren't what you going to wear to the dance on Friday night or whether to tell the girl/guy you liked that you liked them. We longed for that carefree feeling of the teenage years, but couldn't really experience it. Whatever the case was — divorce, a death in the family, a parent losing a job — there was something that caused you to have to become more of an adult than your peers. Some of us had to get a job (or two) to help supplement their family's income, others were caring for a sick parent or relative, others still dealt with their family (and in reality, their life) splitting in two as a result of divorce - all of this while juggling schoolwork, extracurriculars, and friends. These times tried you and pushed you, sometimes beyond your boundaries; you had a hard time handling it and at times your grades, friendships, and overall well-being suffered because of it. Hell, some of you are probably going through a lot of this right now. Regardless of what your situation was or is, you are now entering the true 'adult years', so here are some things to remember:

Be proud of yourself. Take pride in your accomplishments. You made it through a seriously difficult time, most likely on your own, and became a stronger and wiser person because of it. Not many people our age can say they've done what you have.

If you're still stuck in a rut, keep pushing forward — Everything gets better and it's worth it in the end, I promise.

Don't forget to have fun — You are deserving of all the joy youth has to offer. I understand how easy it is to feel as though you've missed out on truly 'being a kid', going out, and generally not having a world of responsibilities. Enjoy life, especially now that you're in college and really taking into account what lies in your future.

Remember how your struggles have prepared you for life — Know that you are ready to take the world by storm; with unrelenting drive and inherent fortitude, you can conquer any obstacle that stands between you and success.

Show off your kind heart and help others — So many others are going through tough times as well; you have a unique 'been there, done that' perspective and your resilience is inspiring to other people.

Adversity is important; these are the defining, life-changing events that make or break us. Do we let these times get the best of us, or do we come away from them as better people? Growing up will always be demanding, but how can one have a truly fruitful life if there's no challenge along the way?