A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties. — Harry Truman
We always knew that junior year would be tough, and there were always some pessimists, but lately it seems as if everyone has been jumping on the negativity train. Nowadays at school, there is rarely a moment when one characterizes a class, a teacher, or even learning itself as positive.
This tone of annoyance is not only currently fostering an environment of exponentially growing negativity, but is also beginning to adversely affect peer relationships. Formerly cohesive bonds are beginning to deteriorate and arguments are becoming ever present.
Divides are forming between those with different political preferences, between the intrinsically and extrinsically motivated, and even between the outspoken and soft-spoken. What is interesting is that this all seems to have a direct correlation with stress levels.
"The only competition worthy of a wise man is with himself." — Washington Allston
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School is getting harder as the year progresses, and students, in order to cope with the increased workload, are getting competitive. This is problematic because some are starting to act superior to others. These people begin to take certain jokes too far, and even start to condescend others rather than support them.
I was doing some research and discovered a study that might support my theory that there is a correlation between competition and workload. It found, after surveying a group of students, that they believed that competition was beneficial to their success in school. The students also commented that they were motivated by their grade point average, compared it with others, and were surprisingly not motivated by the prospect of mastering new skills.
If students don't care for the right reasons they will be pessimists, they will be haughty, they will compete. I myself am occasionally guilty of getting caught up in the game of school and not caring for the right reasons, yet, not allowing oneself to cede to social convention remains the best advice that I can give.
A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results. — Wade Boggs
