As early voting comes to a close and Election Day approaches, Americans all around the country are voicing their opinions on this year’s presidential candidates. As a college student, millennial, and first time voter, I have heard way too many people my age saying they are going to forego their opportunity to voice their opinion in this year’s election. Not only am I surprised to be hearing this, but I’m tired of us millennials complaining about how older generations criticize us for our lack of intelligence, except for when it comes to technology. By going out to vote, taking the time to educate ourselves about the candidate’s platforms, and fulfilling our civic duty as Americans, we can prove them wrong.

I was sitting at the dinner table with my family and close friends and came to the conclusion that I was upset that this was the first election I had to ability to vote in. This election has been filled with nothing but drama, pointless banter, funny memes, and convoluted messages; I believe the media is at fault. In today’s society, the biggest problem we have is our ability to be so easily influenced by what we see in the media. Whether it’s about Donald Trump’s crass comments or dramatization of Hillary Clinton’s email scandals, we must see past what the media feeds us and focus on our own opinions. Regardless, this should not deter us from voting.

With that being said, it is important for us to form our own opinions instead of relying on our parents or friends to make them for us. So, I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, nor am I going to pretend like I am a political junkie. As someone who has the best interest for myself, my future children, and our country at hand, I am urging you to get educated and go out to vote. This election will determine our future for years to come. You have a voice and you deserve to use it, so if you think that your vote won’t mean anything, you are very wrong. President Obama perfectly embodied the “your actions speak louder than words” cliché by saying, “don’t boo, just vote,” at one of Hillary’s rallies. As November 8^th approaches, take the time to educate yourself on each candidate in order for you to make the most educated decision on which candidate will represent The United States of America best. I’m proud to be a millennial and an American. See you at the polls.