For as long as I can remember, I've been told how I need to change things about myself. I'm sure everyone has had that told to them more than once. Of course, being older now, I realize that some of those aspects of myself really did need improving. I'm proud to say I've improved on some and continue to work on improving others. However, also because I'm older now, I realize that there were also things about myself that they were wrong about. They didn't need changing because they were things that made me, me. And I refuse to apologize anymore for who I am.

This article isn't my way of saying "There's nothing I need to improve about myself! I'm perfect!", it's my way of saying that I can love and embrace who I am without shame. This is me taking a stand and saying it's okay to love yourself for who you are. Going into my sophomore year of college, looking back at my freshman year has shown me how much I've grown as a person, but also how I've stayed true to who I am. Staying true to my long held beliefs and the fundamentals of my personality are incredibly important to me. I'd say it's something incredibly important to anyone.

In an environment where a lot of personal beliefs and characteristics are tested, I'm glad I managed to maintain who I am at my core. It's been so frustrating being told again and again by different people that "one day you're not going to have the same opinions you do now." To some extent, I agree. We all learn and grow and become more educated about the world and society. On the other hand, most of the time when that kind of phrase was (and continues to be) used, it wasn't even something related to becoming more knowledgeable about the world. Most of the time it was about something more personal, for example, my complete disinterest in drinking. I can't begin to count how many times I was told that going to college meant I would either have to get over it or I wouldn't be getting the full experience. And yet here I am, going into sophomore year, having been to plenty of parties without having to compromise my beliefs or opinions. And that type of scenario can really be applied to anything and anyone else.

I've come to embrace who I am, in a way I've never been able to before. College has been such a huge part of that. It's shown me so much, by helping me develop into the person I'm meant to be and by helping me stay the person I've always been. Even though I'm still working on completely loving myself, I've come much farther than I've ever been.

And I'm saying you can, too. Don't let other people make you feel like you have to apologize for who you are, because there are so many important aspects of ourselves that make us the person we are. Without them, we wouldn't be the same, and that would be such a shame. So don't apologize for it. Embrace and love yourself without fear.

Starting now, take charge. Stand firm. Don't falter.

You're not the only one working on this. So many other people are as well, I included. We're all working on it together.

But don't forget, you are the only one capable of deciding your fate and future and self. Let that knowledge guide you.