A study released in January called The American Freshman: National Norms found that 51.9 percent of college freshmen said their emotional health was above average.

That’s a 3.4 percent drop from last year’s study and the lowest level since the study was first given in 1985 when 63.6 percent of college freshmen felt above average.

Despite freshmen feeling overwhelmed, researchers at the University of California in Los Angeles found 73 percent still looked at higher education with positivity.

At a time when the economy is in the pits and people have more responsibilities than it seems they can handle, it’s refreshing to see students still embracing higher education.

Too often, it seems people let negativity in life hold them back. Too often, people tend to hold themselves back, making excuses for why something can’t be a certain way or why they can’t do something.

As a generation faced with the pressures of having to clean the messes their predecessors leave behind, it’s hopeful to see the same study that reported emotional health at its lowest also show 47 percent of freshmen still want to participate in college clubs or groups.

To them, higher education is still valuable. Nearly 58 percent of the same freshmen surveyed said there’s a good chance they’ll be satisfied with their college experience.

And they should be.

People tend to grow the most, no matter the age, no matter the responsibilities, when embracing opportunities and working to overcome challenges in difficult times.

It’s often easier to say “be optimistic” than actually put that optimism into practice. But college is that perfect opportunity for students to make the changes they see they may need to make. For some, it could be a fresh start. For others, it’s the next step in their lives as they grow up.

But the best part is, no one has  to do it alone.

Sometimes, we all just need a reminder what we’re working toward. It’s simple, really. It just doesn’t come without obstacles.

Take a lesson from these optimistic freshmen — life is overwhelming, but it is what you make of it.

Breathe in deep and remember that a better future can be right in front of you. That’s worth being excited about.