The wonderful time of year is once again upon us, my fellow trans college kids. The year of new semesters, new professors, new students, and the ever creeping pressure of our identities. Whether its asserting your identity others, telling your professors before hand of your preferred name and pronouns, arguing with transphobes, or coming to terms with your gender identity, there is plenty of challenges and feelings that come with the beginning of a new college year. Like any and all semesters, there will be stresses and pressures that we aren't sure if we can handle or want to be thrown our way, so I'm taking this time before the start of the semester to send out some words of encouragement for when all of us tend to get down with the anxiety of being trans and going to college.

1. Your Gender Identity is Valid

Regardless of what anyone says, your identity is valid. Whether it changes every week, or you are still trying to figure out what name, pronouns, or gender you actually are, your feelings and identity still matter. You deserve to be treated with respect and be called the proper name and pronouns at all times! It doesn't matter who tells you they don't believe you, whether it's family, friends, fellow classmates, or faculty, you are valid and deserve to be treated with respect.

2. Keep your head held high

It gets tiresome when upon meeting new people and professors you have to out yourself (if you are out), or having to deal with constant misgendering when you either are out or not. It can be anxiety provoking and infuriating to either have to correct them, or keep yourself from outing yourself out of fear. Either way, keep your head high and know that your feelings are valid and that with each passing moment, you are becoming stronger and are learning much about yourself, others, and how to handle the kinds of experiences that can be thrown your way.

3. Use Resources Available to You

Go to friends you trust. Find websites online. Look for GSAs or programs your school can offer, for when you are feeling down, stressed, or alone. If you are not out, I recommend online platforms that are clubs that will keep your identity safe in the safe space you are in. If you are out, make sure you have a support group of friends, faculty, etc. so long as they are supportive and trust them. Sometimes there's a lot of emotions, battles to face, questions, etc. that are better to not have to deal with alone

And finally, 4. Remember that we are all in this together

Sing the High School Musical song to this, if you must, but just know that we fellow trans and LGBTQIA+ people are all together. We are connected by our struggles and our triumphs. We are all working towards a more accepting world, and that we are all never truly alone so long as we all exist. We are connected via the World Wide Web and other events and safe spaces that remind us that we aren't some "unnatural" phenomena. We are people, and there are many like us, and we all deserve love and respect as everyone else. If one of us is struggling, there is a whole crowd of people from all over the world, who are willing to help the other out.

While this semester will pose it's own challenges from either the school, family, friend, or social spheres, there will be plenty of times to connect, push forward, and tackle these challenges. Remember these important points for when the challenges start to come. When others aren't understanding. When it gets hard to handle being trans and going to college. I am struggling and pushing forward with you. Someone who's your classmate and may not be out may be struggling and pushing forward with you. A whole online community of fellow trans people are struggling and pushing forward with you. We are all united and together we can and will survive college and the world.

So try your hardest, remember you are valid, and keep on going!