[Isonator]

Hello all.
I'm interested to explore some of your outlooks on studying and living.
I'm a self proclaimed optimist on most things; however I've noticed a spate in pessimism around my friends approaching their january exams.
Both outlooks have pro's and cons e.g, pessimists may have a closer view on reality in comparison to optimists however optimists can see bad events as motivation for change or seeking surpassing careers.
I have noticed the more optimistic I am, the harder I motivate myself to study.
So are you an optimist or pessimist and why?

[Salmaa!]

optimistic, noticed what a massive change in performance that a small change in attitude can make by aiming high you push yourself and get the best you can for yourself

[lucas13]

I generally am a pessimist but I have confidence in my ability and generally get what I am expected in terms of exam results.

[Genocidal]

I'm negative about everything because I'm naturally a very miserable person who moans about everything.

[Your New Shoes]

Pessimist- you can't really disappoint me

[curtis871]

I would say I'm a realist but others say pessimist.

[Brevity]

I like to think of two things when this question comes up:

'There is infinite hope, but not for us'.

'Do not despair, one of the thieves was saved. Do not presume, one of the thieves was damned'.

[CherryCherryBoomBoom]

I'm not sure I really like to be too optimistic anymore tbh. Too many times I've often put a lot of effort into something, and keep hoping and really thinking that the best thing does happen, and when the actual result is really bad and disappointing, my mood comes crashing down and my hopes are so crushed . I'm not sure I can do it anymore .

[xDave-]

I'm a pessimist a.k.a. a realist.

[boromir9111]

You need both. They are not mutually exclusive. You can only be an optimist after being a pessimist or experienced it another way and vice versa.....

[mevidek]

I'm generally an optimist although I can be very pessimistic.

[curtis871]

(Original post by CherryCherryBoomBoom)
I'm not sure I really like to be too optimistic anymore tbh. Too many times I've often put a lot of effort into something, and keep hoping and really thinking that the best thing does happen, and when the actual result is really bad and disappointing, my mood comes crashing down and my hopes are so crushed . I'm not sure I can do it anymore .

I hope things get better for you soon .

(Original post by xDave-)
I'm a pessimist a.k.a. a realist.

I don't agree that they're the same thing tbh. If things can reasonably be expected to go well and you do expect that you're still a realist but not a pessimist.

[localfox1000]

I'm a pessimist but I'm trying to be more optimistic.

[kka25]

I used to be an optimist. But then again, although I would still think that I am an optimist, life has shown me that there's nothing to be optimistic about but an impending doom whenever we reach the summit of our success.

I'm really sorry for the negativity lol.

[xDave-]

(Original post by curtis871)
I don't agree that they're the same thing tbh. If things can reasonably be expected to go well and you do expect that you're still a realist but not a pessimist.

That was more of a joke. Naturally there are some things that can go well, but often things don't.

[nuage]

I'm a pessimist because I trust nothing and no-one and am scared of disappointment. at least I've the steel to admit it.
what's the point in optimism? it doesn't make a person happy - not that pessimism does, but that seems to be the aim of optimists.

[CherryCherryBoomBoom]

(Original post by curtis871)
I hope things get better for you soon .



I don't agree that they're the same thing tbh. If things can reasonably be expected to go well and you do expect that you're still a realist but not a pessimist.

Thanks. I hope so too.

[sophia_]

I'm usually very very optimistic or very very pessimistic.

I guess I didn't help at all here. Sorry.

[mel0n]

I'm working on being optimistic. Normally I try to prepare myself for the worst, hope for the best. However, hoping for the best is disappointing in itself when what you're hoping for doesn't happen, so I figure that pessimism is a regressive circle. Still, one can hope that I'll be more optimistic, but that's a bit counter intuitive to what I just said. Confused.

[Vanny17]

I am optimistically pessimistic