I was born in 1995. And there are some awesome things about being born in 1995, like starting school in 2000 making it quite easy recall which year I was in what grade (3rd grade 2003, 8th grade 2008, etc.) This happens only twice a century, friends.

However cool that is (which, granted, I probably find cooler than most), being born in 1995 is in that respect, it also means I'm like the middle child of the 90s-too young to get nostalgic over "Saved by the Bell" but old enough to know that "Lollipop" wasn't about actual lollipops. There's also a strong sense of nostalgia and loyalty that comes with being born in the 90s, so I read every Buzzfeed article about "Growing Up a 90s Kid" that pop up on my newsfeed even though I only get about half of the references.

And I get it. I was 5 when the 90s ended, and raised in a sheltered home as it was, which help to account for a lot of the gaps in my 90s knowledge (thanks mom). But this middle-child like state of being, half a 90s kid and half a 00s kid (shudder) makes it difficult to identify in a society so full of defining identity.

"Oh, poor little upper middle-class millennial who doesn't know if she's a 90s kid or a 00s kid, let me play you a song on the world's tiniest violin." You might be saying. And yeah, I realize how stupid a thing this is to be upset about. But I'm still upset and I'm far from stupid. So let me get through this while I have you here.

Having an identity is more important than ever. Society's values evolve with every generation, depending on the world around them and how that generation was raised (as a stereotypical norm). And though I may be stuck between the 90s and 00s, I am right in the middle of the millennial generation.

Identity is one thing we millennials really value, especially with the acclamation of the LGBTQIA community and the more open many feel to exploring their sexual identity in addition to the other roles. And being in college, as most millennial currently are identity is crucial as people find out their career identity (or try at least). This college identity crisis is probably not unique to my generation, as it is more likely a college norm than a millennial, but with more people than ever before in college in my generation it has become our problem.

Again, thanks mom. Because our identity crisis is partially caused by the way our parents, and society in general, treated us. Many say we (as a generation) were coddled too much, given too many participation trophies and not exposed to real world issues as much as generations past. First off I don't think the morals many of us were based on are inherently wrong, but it was society who dictated how we should be raised and for the most part, we were just along for the ride.

I actually think we were raised well, that many are just quick to judge because it's different than how they were raised and because it is so much more broadcasted through the rise of the internet and social media. I say that only to ask those criticizing my generation, reducing us to self-obsessed selfie celebrity stalkers who can't get jobs. Personally, my life aspirations are to become a missionary and spread education around the world. Though I can't speak to the rest of my generation, we're not as much a problem as we're made out to be.

But like many in my generation, I'm an optimist. That is one identity I've never questioned about myself. Though the issues we push may seem unrealistic and the things we complain about may seem insignificant, they are what defines us. To use the most overused teen phrase, "It's my life, mom. Just, let me live. Ugh."

And let me live with my middle-generation child identity crisis. I know I'm far from alone in this struggle (other kids with the coolest way to remember which year we were in what grade feel me?), who want a relationship like Cory and Topenga and to be as cool as Kim Possible ; we are the perfect blend of "Mulan" and "High School Musical." Because in the end we're all in this together, and we 1995ers are about to get down to business.