If there is anything that we the Daily Eastern News rely on more—speaking outside of our journalistic needs and standards—than coffee, it is constructive criticism.

For us, constructive criticism is almost impossible to avoid. We find it in every corner of every day: online in the comment section, during our meetings with our advisers and each other, in class from our professors, and face to face—or rather face to print—from you, our readers.

No matter which way constructive criticism happens to reach us, we take it for what is: an experience to learn from rather than an insult to dwell on.

Whether you are working for a publication or writing a paper for class, you are eligible for constructive criticism. Often times, constructive criticism intimidates and discourages people more than it provides people with advice and suggestions for next time.

No matter what field you find yourself in, you will be required to receive and even provide your own constructive criticism for your peers. Like all things, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it.

Pointing out only the faults in someone’s work and communicating with little patience and guidance in a negative tone is not constructive criticism. It is insulting and unprofessional.

Suggesting ways to strengthen elements in someone’s work while also highlighting the positives with an encouraging tone is constructive criticism. Appreciating the quality of someone’s work while also envisioning how it can become stronger is constructive criticism. Being willing to help the person improve their work is constructive criticism.

Constructive criticism is not something we should try to run away from or avoid. Without it, we cannot get better with a variety of skills, from writing to communicating.