Student column: It is very important to stay positive

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The media tells us the world is going to end, we're not good enough and everyone is crazy. What ever happened to optimism? The whole, “The world is your oyster,” philosophy?

In high school, being a pessimist isn’t even an option. It’s basically setting yourself up for failure. Whether it’s about schoolwork, athletics or relationships, having an optimistic view on life can make the world of difference in any situation.

High school can be a horrid breeding ground for pessimistic thoughts. Girls beat you down, guys beat you down and everyone seems to always have it out for somebody.

It’s a sad truth, but an optimistic person can see past that. Past high school is where your life really begins. So why let people who aren’t worth your time make you feel bad? It makes more sense to stick with the people that care about your well being than to listen to people who are simply insecure. In the end, they only make you stronger and hurt themselves.

If you’re an athlete, you understand the kind of pressure you can be under. Whether its from your parents or coaches, pressure is pressure. Without the will to push forward, the will to win won’t follow. If you’re mentally tough, you can push past anything that gets in your way, whether it is a 290-pound defensive lineman or a 120-pound miler that keeps trying to draft you.

With shin splints this year I’ve started to find it hard to push through the pain, but I do. No matter how bad it hurts, I want to get faster and back to where I was. If Michael Phelps wasn’t optimistic in Beijing back in 2008, do you think he still would’ve won eight geld medals? Doubtful.

Although times get rough, being optimistic can be the one factor that leads you to success. Whether it be in the classroom, on the field or anywhere else, if you believe that you can, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

No matter how corny that sounds, it doesn’t mean it’s not true. Sometimes it’s difficult to see the good in things when nothing goes your way, but that’s life. In one way or another we all have to believe that there’s a light at the end of every tunnel.

Hannah Seitzinger is a student at Farmington High School. Her column appears every other week. If you would like to be a student columnist next year, call editor Nathan Hansen at 651-460-6606.

Tags: high school, opinion, commentary, farmington