We all have endured it sometime or another; whether it be while completing an assignment last minute or an arduous exam, planning for the future, or maintaining a prosperous social life: stress is able to conquer even the best of us. Young or old, male or female, intelligent or inept, it does not matter: stress seems to be unavoidable. But why? The answer is simple: stress is a natural chemical reaction within our bodies. So don't feel as if you are isolated when you do feel anxiety; know that everyone has felt, feels, and will continue to feel stressed. You are not alone. But we can convert this negative stress into a positive. Yes, call me crazy or ignorantly optimistic, but stress can be positive. In fact, stress is the body's natural reaction to respond to an imminent threat or danger. This is the mind's way of saying "Hey, this is just a reminder to please do something about this now or the result could be bad." And yes, I know that was a pathetic representation of the complex reaction in which the mind communicates with our body to release cortisol and adrenaline, which results in the feeling we call "stress." So back to what I alluded to before: stress is positive. Anxiety tells us that we need to do something to fix the current situation to ensure a optimal one. Thus we should use this only an indicator that we need to study, or we need to finish the assignment, or we need to apologize to a good friend, or we need to prepare for an important speech. Without stress, we may not have the motivation to do these things and then we would most certainly fail at them. And sorry to state the obvious, but that would not be good. So what I am trying to convey is that do not make stress a harmful feeling, realize what its purpose is, and use that a reminder to be productive and succeed. Outsmart stress. Make it positive. Take control. Do not let it interfere with your success in your life.