This summer, the alarmingly large Harry Potter fanbase held their breath in anticipation for the final installment of the Harry Potter movie series. Many young adults, like myself, grumbled about how watching this movie officially marks the end of childhood; after all, it was our particular generation that grew up with it.

Understandably, it is a tough pill to swallow, since the days of staying up late for midnight premieres are long gone. It was already a harsh blow to the Harry Potter fans when the last book came out in 2007, yet still they remained hopeful because of the movies that were being cranked out (I take that back, “cranked out” implies that the movies were released in rapid succession).

Now, with nothing left to look forward to, fans are contending with the void left behind after realizing they will no longer have their Harry Potter fix satisfied.

As for me, I’m willing to move on. Being the cynical person that I am, I will admit that I was slightly disappointed with some parts of the final movie.

But starting this semester, I am willing to turn over a new leaf and try what I will simply call “The Method.”

Using this tactic, I will strive to refrain from pointing out the bad in lieu of highlighting the good.

I will happily list a few examples in which I have applied The Method:

• Pre-Method Statement: Bonnie Wright, who plays Ginny, is an appalling actress. She sabotages every scene she’s in and looks like a terrible match for Harry.

– Method Statement: Ginny has minimal screentime. She might have had less than a minute actually on the big screen. Thanks, David Yates!

• Pre-Method Statement: The ending was incredibly awkward. The final shot, which naturally consisted of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, felt strained because the trio just awkwardly looked into the distance saying nothing while the camera slowly pulled away, presumably for dramatic effect. It didn’t work.

– Method Statement: Sometimes, what is left unsaid becomes the most poignant. Think of all the horrible clichés our beloved characters could have spewed out in the final lines, leaving a bitter taste in our mouths.

• Pre-Method Statement: The epilogue scarred me. Ron had a comb-over and a beer belly… I’m sorry, I can’t go on.

– Method Statement: In extreme cases like this when you can’t possibly see a plus side, simply consider the positives from other sources. Yes, the epilogue was a cringe-fest, but there were so many facets of the movie that were excellent. The final battle between Harry and Voldemort, which included scenes not in the book, were bursting with energy and excitement while Neville, who is the Charlie Brown-like character constantly getting the short end of the stick, at last grew into a hero and shined under the traumatic pressures of war. And of course Draco gets hugged by the Dark Lord, which is, you know, quite the story for him to tell the grandkids.

Surveying the examples above, I realize that The Method is fairly simple to use. By choosing to slightly alter my way of thinking, I am exercising my ability to find the good in any situation.

So while some of you may grumble that the be- ginning of the semester after a long, relaxing break is a heavy blow to your happiness, just remember to apply The Method. You get to see all your friends again, Thursday reclaims its title as the best day of the week, and perhaps you might get to learn something.

And naturally, I owe this revolutionary thinking process to Harry Potter.

Now whoever said watching movies is unproductive?