The United States of America is at a critical point in her short history. With the 2016 Presidential Elections coming up and even more importantly, the Presidential Primaries in February, citizens of the United States need to start learning about each candidate and what exactly they stand for. For many in college this will be the first open national election that we will play a pivotal role in. This year, millennials will surpass the Baby Boomer generation as the largest generation in the United States which positions this generation as an important cornerstone in winning any election. For a college senior that is 22 years old and with the power of the incumbent, the next time they could be voting in an open seat Presidential election would be at the age of 30. Over the course of those eight years this nation will undoubtedly face crisis and social conflict, and without a strong leader this nation may not be able to come out in one piece in eight more years.

Our nation's next leader will have the opportunity to make lasting changes to this nation not only in the laws that they would execute, but also in the legacy they will leave. With pressing issues such as college tuition, equal rights, rising national debt, the Iran Nuclear Deal and Supreme Court Justices, decisions that will shape this nation in an unprecedented way will be the foundation for a superb Presidential legacy. The question is, who will leave this legacy?

Americans have a lot to be thankful for. We live in a nation where everyone is entitled to their own opinion and have the absolute right to state this opinion. We can sleep at night without having a military vehicle patrolling the street outside enforcing a curfew. The United States is home to a democratic republic where we as citizens choose who represents us in the day to day operations of the government. Many take this for granted as the voter turnout for the 2012 election was only 54.2% of eligible voters. On Election Day many will simply wear a sticker that says "I Voted" with an American flag yet only half of Americans will even participate in the election process. It seems that Americans have lost the value that this nation can provide.

With the pressing issues that have been presented earlier in this article, we need all Americans to be aware of whom is running for the Oval Office. Education on each of the candidates and their platforms is critical every single American. Several times I have challenged others on their support for a candidate and the classic response is "I like them." Every voter should know exactly what the candidate represents before they vote for them and avoid casting said vote because he or she "likes" this candidate or the other.

Millennials need to understand that the next President has a great chance to live in the White House for the next eight years. Over those eight years we will begin a career, start a family and lay a foundation for our post educational lives. We have the opportunity to not only elect the next Commander-In-Chief, but the next President will have coat tails that could allow for a refreshing change to Congress and the possibility of adding three new Justices to the Supreme Court. This extends the next President's decisions across decades.

As the largest group of Americans, we Millennials need to educate ourselves on the Presidential candidates and make self-centered decisions about who we want to lead this nation. Now, both parties have had an initial debate that has allowed us to hear from all the candidates. It is time to start researching and educating ourselves, friends, and family on these candidates. Every voter should take the opportunity that many take for granted, no more "I am not informed," this excuse simply cannot cut it in 2016. America faces many problems heading into this election and the next President will determine how to handle these problems as we continue our lives into our 30s and 40s. Educate yourself and help change this nation over the next several years.