In the beginning of the semester, some professors usually end their first-day-of-class speech by saying a student must have a positive attitude to pass their class along with the grades, of course. And sometimes, students ignore the advice or just say, “Yeah. Right.” But professors are on to something. 

Barbara Fredrickson, author and psychology professor, did her own studies on positive thinking and how it affects the brain. Fredrickson conducted a study that proved how having more optimism in one’s life could create more possibilities. Imagine that. Imagine always, or mostly, thinking there is always happiness at the end of that dark tunnel. Great, right?

“Positive people are able to maintain a broader perspective and see the big picture which helps them identify solutions where as negative people maintain a narrower perspective and tend to focus on problems,” Fredrickson said. 

Kiana Henderson, a sophomore pre-pharmacy major, said when she was in high school she was her class valedictorian. College was the first time she’s received a “B.” So, staying positive was sometimes challenging. Henderson said she has to coach herself every semester to get through successfully. 

“‘I can do this.’ ‘I’m determined to get all A’s.’ I say that every semester. It keeps me determined to get the grades that I want,” said Henderson. “I’m not a negative person. I don’t like negative people. All of my friends are positive people.”

Positivity is something that can get someone through rough times.

Nesha Freeman, a junior pre-pharmacy major, said being a positive student helps her grades improve. Freeman also said students should be positive when studying. 

“Positivity defiantly has a better outcome than negativity,” said Freeman. “Coming in to a situation positively just gives me the strength to make it through the day. I will always have a smile on my face because thereis no need to be sad or mad.”

Positivity starts with the brain. Positivity is an emotion that can overcome one’s actions. When a person is sad, he or she cries. When a person is happy, they smile. When a person is positive, they create positive things. 

Be positive. Create positivity. Smile.