The Hampton Script

Knowing how to stay positive when life isn’t going in your favor isn’t an easy task. Maybe you didn’t get that internship you wanted, or maybe you’re in the second semester of senior year and you still have no job offer.

The first step to staying positive is understanding that certain outcomes in life are uncontrollable. You can apply for a job and not land it. No matter how quali ed you are for the position, you cannot control the outcome. Keep in mind that good things are coming. Repeating this thought on a daily basis will not only keep you sane but it will boost your confidence. Allowing life’s upsets to consume you will inhibit positive change. Remember, every failure is shortly followed by a success.

Staying productive is another great way to combat these thoughts. Trusting life’s plan doesn’t mean just sitting around and waiting for things to happen. Allowing yourself to stay busy will help defer your negative thoughts and allow you to remain positive through adversity. When you take these actions, you’d be surprised at how many doors and opportunities will open up for you. Start by guring out your life’s purpose. Once you gure that out, align yourself with that purpose and your actions will reflect that. Over time, you’ll realize when things don’t work out that maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.

“When things aren’t going my way, I take a step back and evaluate the situation, said Hampton University student Kiana Taylor, a sophomore journalism major from Maryland. “Stepping back helps me work things out so ultimately everything works out in a positive light, even if it doesn’t work out in my favor. Reacting to the situation in a negative way causes many unnecessary problems.”

Understanding that we all have our own designated plans in life is the key to staying positive when things aren’t going your way. Students at Hampton University struggle with combating this issue as well.

“As cliché as it sounds, I stay positive through faith and remembering that what’s for me will be for me,” said Jaylen Harris, a junior from Hillside, New Jersey. “When I feel defeated, I combat those feelings by looking at myself. l look at what I’ve done to see where I could do better at to improve. Tough times don’t last, so I know I won’t be down forever.”

Dealing with life’s unfairness can be so difficult at times, and it may seem unpromising. When you take the necessary steps to help push through this adversity instead of succumbing to it, you’ll find yourself in a much more positive space.