As a college sorority girl, I fall under a few too many stereotypes. Some you would guess just by me wearing my letters on my pocket tee. But I also have had the cheerleader stereotype. I have fallen under the divorced parents stereotype and even the youngest child stereotype.

So often, people think of the negatives. The bad qualities that people grouped together are supposed to have. But who decides these? Stereotypes have been around forever but why are they necessary? They certainly don't make myself feel better about what I am involved in or what has happened to me. Heck, even what is beyond my control.

If I lived up to each of my stereotypes, I would be going to school just to find a successful husband and go out every night. I would be the spoiled youngest child. I would be a rebellious teen because of my parents divorce. I would be the dumb cheerleader who knew nothing about sports.

But I am none of that.

I am slowly growing up and realizing how many times statistics are proved wrong in my day to day life. They are just numbers on paper that say how I am supposed to turn out. Just as stereotypes are thoughts that run through all of our heads when we meet someone new. They mean nothing as long as YOU don't let them define who you want to be.

So we should make a cognitive notion to stop.

To not judge someone by the letters they wear, where they come from and certainly not where they are going. Too often people forget that they can live their own life. They can define their own stereotype. They can prove people wrong and make a bigger difference than they ever thought was possible.

Maybe if people focused on the strengths their peers have instead of their weaknesses, everyone would be a little better off. People would have the courage to accomplish immensely more and set their goals much higher.