2016 was a year of monumental change, both personally and on a global scale. Some of the greatest change America as a country has seen in decades is occurring and will continue to occur, with the impending presidency of Donald Trump. However, this change is nearly impossible to view in a positive light for the most part. So many of my peers feel afraid, dissociated, and ostracized. Living in the south, I hear constant stories of terrible acts of prejudice in areas not far from home. 2016 has yielded riots, fear, racism, and the near normalization of all these things.

From 2017, the only thing to hope for is change. I hope that we as a nation learn to unite, to fight for the rights of those disregarded by the system. I hope that we collectively learn to give our resources to those in need, to open our hearts to refugees. I hope that the looming threat of climate change will be acknowledged and acted upon.

It is often forgotten that we as a people, specifically millennials, have a powerful voice in what goes on in the country. If enough people work together to spread a message, it will be heard. In 2017, I hope that we will remember our values and act upon them, working for an improvement of quality of life for everyone around us, not just ourselves.

I saw so much push for political change throughout this strenuous election circuit and I hope to see those spirits continue throughout the next year. The time between election cycles is a crucial time for operative change throughout the smaller bodies of government. I hope to see more young people being as actively involved in politics as they were throughout the election.

I hope to see people take advantage of the multitude of educational resources we have at our fingertips. We are so fortunate to have access to the resources we do. Form well-researched opinions, and work to have them heard. There is nothing wrong with being passionate. Do not forget this.

2017 should not be a year of perpetuating our constant division as people, but learning to accept those with differences from ourselves, alleviating the hate that has fueled so many of this year's events, and working to improve the country. Better yet, working to improve ourselves as individuals. I hope that in the months to come, the new year will instill a new desire for self-improvement, philanthropy, empathy, and gratitude. Although 2016 has given us much to worry about, there is still cause to hope for a better 2017.