Millennial. A word that is now synonymous with lazy, entitled, impatient, aggressive, or pampered. These are just a few of the words that appeared when typing “millennials are…” in the Google search bar. How sad is it that we’ve clumped an entire generation of people into one ball and slapped on a derogative label? In fact, most people don’t realize the actual age of those included in the millennial generation. Let’s clear that up.

According to The Atlantic, millennials were born between 1980-84 and the bracket ends in 2000. That means, as of right now, anyone 18 and under is NOT a millennial. This is probably a big chunk of what people include in that generalized lazy and entitled statement we hear all too often. Let’s not forget the fact that the oldest millennials could, right now, be 38 years old. Probably not the group you meant to point to when you were calling us impatient and pampered, was it?

Millennials are unlike any other generation, and for good reason. According to Obama’s White House archives, millennials are the most diverse and educated generation yet. You heard that right. Educated. And along with that, we have record levels of student debt in order to fund our education (Business Insider).

Because of their financial situations, this group of adults has waited longer than generations before them to get married and begin families, many staying with parents after college until they are ready for that point in the lives to begin (CNBC). Most rational people would call that responsible. Instead of running out into the world when they're not financially stable, most millennials choose to stay home until their late 20s, something most generations before would have been embarrassed to do. The difference is that the generations before us, the baby boomers and generation x, seemed to be satisfied doing anything that brought in enough money to pay the bills.

These days, it doesn’t stop there for millennials. We are more likely to change majors and careers until we find what we’re passionate about. In fact, millennials launch more start-ups than any other generation and have started twice as many businesses (Fortune). It’s proven that we have a higher standard of living than those before us, which undeniably causes us to shoot for the stars.

I know I’m missing a huge topic of discussion here. Technology. The amount of information and technology that millennials have had at their fingertips since elementary and beyond is “unparalleled” according to White House archives. This type of power has almost required us to learn how to operate machines with seemingly unlimited access to knowledge and intelligence. Technology is integrated in all workplaces, on all education levels, and in all of our personal lives. This has helped us cure diseases, earn degrees, and connect with those all over the world. Some say that our technological intelligence makes the millennials generation among the best workers in the world, and I agree (Forbes).

Next time you see a millennial, an individual between the ages of 19 and 38, don’t forget that you’re looking at the most racially diverse population of people with the highest percentage of college education (Pew Research Center), the most optimistic outlook on life (Pew Research Center), and an unmatched percentage of those who volunteer and give to charity (Dan Schawbel). There’s not a doubt that millennials will raise the next best generation of tireless, studious, and educated people.