As a 20-year-old, I have friends in all different stages of life. I have friends getting married, friends having kids, friends still living at home, friends going out every night, and friends securing the jobs that they could have for the rest of their lives.

And then there’s me.

I go to class, do my homework, go to work, and hang out with my friends. It seems like a pretty uneventful, average life for a college kid. However, that is perfectly okay with me. I’m young and I'm learning to be free. I’m on my own for the first time in my life and for once, my future is entirely up to me.

Growing up, my parents gave me the kind of freedom that other kids dreamed of. What this really taught me in the long run, was that I am the only person who determines my own success. I have to make choices for myself because there won't always be someone there to make my decisions. With that being said, I currently am priding myself on my most recent, and very difficult decision, to be single.

Countless times I have heard my friends say that they just want a “nice guy.”

But what does that even mean? Do they want someone who will be at their beckon call? Or do they want someone who is actually going somewhere in life? But what about his looks? Is he a 10?

The reality of the situation is, all of these characteristics can change. People can change from the nicest person you’ve ever met, to ignoring your every attempt at communication in a split second. And chances are, the guys who are a 10 now, will not look half as good in five years. So why waste your energy on something that is not certain now, when you can just wait? What's the rush?

Wait until you find someone that makes you realize why things never worked out with anyone else.

Wait until the time is just right. Wait until you find someone that, despite all of the traits that drive you insane, has the characteristics that you can’t live without.

Maybe I’m just a hopeless romantic, or I'm a college kid trying to find a reason to go on a million dates. Regardless, I’m finding out who I am every step of the way. There is so much time to be in a relationship. But for now, I’m the person that matters most. I want to travel, do well in school, be adventurous, and be happy.

I like to think that things will all work out in the end.

Maybe I’ll end up marrying someone I crossed paths with before, or maybe my future husband is still out there waiting to meet me. But for now, I need to be happy by myself and I need to do all of the things that make me genuinely happy.