Unless you've been living under a rock lately, chances are you've probably heard the term "extra." Extra is a word that has been trending lately. For those of you who actually have been living under a rock here is the Urban Dictionary definition, "Extra- this is when goes the extra mile to make something just right.." or "Extra- When you have to be better and go above and beyond for unnecessary reasons."

I hear "extra" all the time being used in a negative connotation. For example, you might be sitting and eating lunch and hear, "____ is so extra." Yes, being TOO extra (like being obnoxiously rude, do not even get me started) can be a bad thing, but I don't see why it seems like being extra is such a bad thing.

I for one, am actually pretty extra. I am extra from the way I have to match everything on a Snapchat, (from the geofilter, the color of the text, color of the Bitmoji, you name it), making my school supplies match as much as possible while studying in a coffee shop, and all the way to my academic choice of becoming a double major.

People tell me all the time "You are so extra."

At first, this used to make me upset because I always heard the term "extra" being used negatively. Then I realized, "Why is being 'extra' so bad?" Then I came to the conclusion, it's not bad.

People that are extra are the ones that do the most. "Extras" realize they have one life and want to live it to the fullest. Extras do not just try to live to the minimum requirement but want to go above and beyond the requirements. People who are extra are the ones that are going to go above and beyond what is asked of them, which makes extras desirable and respect.

Extras just want to make the most out of every situation and that does not have to be seen as a bad thing. If an extra is given lemonade, they will not only make lemonade, they will go ahead and go on to make a lemon pie or lemon squares as well.

So yes, I am extra, and no I am not ashamed. I want to continue to go above and beyond what is asked of me whether it is in academics, my career, being a family member, trying to be the best sorority sister, friend, girlfriend, and the person I can be.

Next time, someone calls you extra or maybe you might even call someone extra, please know that it is actually a compliment. Extras are the people who do the most and are using their one time in this world to "do the most."

Besides, you cannot be extraordinary without being a little bit extra.