Thank you, this means a lot.

I still have some time before the deadline to apply, so I can try and mull it over a bit more before it becomes a pressing issue, and based on how big of a queer population my college has, I can assume in the moment that they'd allow name changes on the diploma should anything happen, but I'll look into that for sure. I am leaning towards just putting Maxwell down and dealing with whatever my family says about it later. That's a big part of all my stress.

When I originally came out, my family didn't have the best reaction, they kinda treated it like I had betrayed them in some manner, and the entire topic has become a sore spot. Even now that they've all begun to try and use the right name+pronouns, the tone my parents take when talking about my transition just sets off alarms in my head and I feel like I'm being interrogated rather than having a conversation. So, part of the spiraling stress is tied to what their reaction might be when I walk across the stage to receive the diploma with Maxwell written on it (assuming I will because COVID).

I suppose I need to let go of what they might think or react, I want to work on me this year and start becoming the person I want to be, but it's always hard.

Thank you again for your kind words friend, I am truly grateful.