With the presidential election drawing near, my Facebook feed is abuzz with political opinions, advertising campaigns and just about anything to do with the potential presidential candidates. I can't complete an entire day without engaging in at least one conversation about politics or receiving a notification about registering to vote (which I totally have, by the way). As a new college student, UNC Asheville is doing a lot to make sure that their students are informed about who exactly they'll have the options to vote for on the presidential ballot, which is wonderful. But do you know what's even greater? The majority of students here want to be informed. They realize that this election will play a huge role in not only the future of our country but also their own personal future.

When I first mentioned to my family that I had taken a look at both political parties and had decided that I was going to register to vote as a Democrat, they were a little surprised at first. Thankfully, they understood that I was taking responsibility for my own future and supported me despite our differences. I'm so thankful for the adults in my life who have raised me and taught me to stand up for what I believe in. Although I am young, I am not ignorant. I will not allow myself to be ignorant. I am perfectly capable of formulating my own opinions. Unfortunately, not all adults offer support when young people formulate political views that are different than their own.

Taking the opinions of young people with a grain of salt is not honorable. How old must we be to be taken seriously? Believe it or not, but young people are rising up and taking a stand for what they believe in every single day. It is hypocritical to encourage me to vote if you do not intend on respecting my political decisions. I am not a direct clone of my family, nor do they want me to be. I am a young adult with morals and viewpoints of my very own. I am proud of who I am and what I stand for and I refuse to allow decisions to me made for me about my future when I should also be assisting in the decision making.

And guess what? This upcoming presidential election? That is my future.