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Health and Wellness

10 Reasons 2016 Wasn't Actually The Worst Year Ever

Even when all seems bad, there's always some good to find.

MaKenzie Holtkamp

Jan 03, 2017

Lakewood, Colorado

10 Reasons 2016 Wasn't Actually The Worst Year Ever

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Looking back on 2016, it seems like it was the worst year in history. Bombings and death, shootings and devastating natural disasters, Zika virus and racial tension. While it is true, these are all terrible things that happened in 2016, there are other reasons people are dubbing 2016 "the worst year in history" that should never have been taken into account. For example, Harambe, seriously? You're going to say that the death of a gorilla makes 2016 the worst year ever? People die every day and there is never that much uproar over a human life as there was for this gorilla. Or celebrity deaths, again celebrities pass on every year, so why was this the year that suddenly meant the death of an actor meant 2016 was the worst year ever? The list of unworthy reasons for 2016 to be the worst year ever goes on and on. So, as we ring in 2017 why not take a look back at why 2016 WASN'T the worst year ever? Reasons both serious and some just because they were good things to happen.

1. Netflix added downloading

2. Leo finally won an Oscar

About dang time.

3. The measles were eradicated in all of the Americas

From Canada to Chile. According to NBC this is the first time ever in history the disease has been eliminated from an entire world region.

4. The number of smokers in the U.S. dropped

The number dropped 8.5 million since 2005. 8.5 million.

5. 93% of kids around the world learned to read and write this year

This is the highest proportion in human history.

6. World hunger reached its lowest point in 25 years

7. Gambia and Tanzania banned child marriage

8. Teenage Pregnancy

2016 marked the 24th year in a row that teenage pregnancy rates in the U.S. and UK dropped.

9. Manatees are no longer in danger

10. Germany took in an additional 300,000 refugees

The list of great things to happen in 2016 goes on and on. While some reasons like Netflix and Leo aren't the most serious, it just shows that we can focus in on some good.

Personally, I wasn't even aware of most of these statistics. So let's make 2017 the year that we hone in on these types of news stories. Let it be a year that we focus on the good and don't wallow in the bad. Let us move forward when the bad does happen but to feel blessed with all the good happening around us.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

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The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

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One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

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Recommended for you

10 Reasons 2016 Wasn't Actually The Worst Year Ever

Even when all seems bad, there's always some good to find.

1. Netflix added downloading

2. Leo finally won an Oscar

3. The measles were eradicated in all of the Americas

4. The number of smokers in the U.S. dropped

5. 93% of kids around the world learned to read and write this year

6. World hunger reached its lowest point in 25 years

7. Gambia and Tanzania banned child marriage

8. Teenage Pregnancy

9. Manatees are no longer in danger

10. Germany took in an additional 300,000 refugees

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For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

27. When you get assigned the most incompetent group of people possible for a group project.

28. I need a comfort dog so I can avoid all life and school responsibilities.

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

Who isn't stressing out over finals right now?

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