2012 was a very hard year for independent conservatives, especially those on progressively-oriented college campuses across the country.

For an uplifting ending to this year, St. Louis University student Amy Lutz lists some silver linings to this otherwise stormy year:

As 2012 comes to a close, many conservatives look back on the year and are only able to see what went wrong. Sure, 2012 wasn’t a bright light in the history of conservatism. It sure felt a lot more like 2008 when most of us were expecting it to feel a bit more like 2010, politically speaking at least. The crushing losses of the 2012 election cycle had many of us holding out a small hope that perhaps the Mayans were right and the world would end on December 21st. Thankfully, they were as off as most expected them to be and we all will . Yet, the fight in the conservative movement is waning. For most, political infighting, electoral losses, and cultural struggles make 2013 and beyond look bleak. However, 2012 certainly wasn’t all bad. Amid the apparent darkness, there were flashes of light and small victories which should be cherished, not shunned, as the ball drops on December 31st.

The United States nabbed the top spot in the 2012 Summer Olympics. Ok, so maybe this isn’t a strictly “political” victory, but who doesn’t love seeing your home nation triumph on a world stage? This year, the United States literally brought home the gold (46 of them in fact) and collectively stood above the pack with a total of 104 metals.

Republicans control a large number of state lgislatures and governorships. There are currently 26 state legislatures in Republican control and 29 Republican Governors at the helm all across this great nation. Sure, an (R) doesn’t necessarily automatically imply that conservative policies will see the light of day, but this is certainly more likely in Republican-controlled states.

Republicans retain control of the House. .. Do you remember 2008-2010? Let’s be thankful that we’re not currently dealing with the danger of a Democratic supermajority again.

Right to work passed in Michigan. Who would have ever though Right to Work would pass in Michigan before it passed in more conservative states like Missouri? I certainly didn’t see it coming…. Michigan joins 23 other states who have some form of Right to Work law, allowing workers to choose whether or not they will join a union.

Scott Walker wons recall election in a landslide. Just saying his name makes mob…er I mean union…bosses quake with fear. In June, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker won a recall vote with a higher percentage of the vote than he achieved in the previous election.