When it comes to politics, everyone always has their opinions -- and they aren't afraid to share them.

These opinions were loud and clear around campus and on Facebook and Twitter on Friday, with the news that President Barack Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize. And, for the most part, the opinions were negative.

While some supported Obama's award, students and public figures alike echoed the sentiments that the President did not deserve the honor. Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh called the award to Obama "an embarrassment." The sentiments I observed in students' Facebook statuses ranged from confused to angry to downright enraged.

The President received news that he was awarded the prize at 6 a.m. Friday. The Norwegian Nobel Committee picked him from 205 nominees for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."

And yes, contrary to popular belief, Obama has made these efforts. Since taking office, he has been faced with a number of issues, ranging from wars abroad to a recession in his country. And though he may not have any major achievements yet in the world of international peace, he has, as the committee stated, put in the effort.

First, it is important to note the difference between the two different types of Nobel Prizes. The awards from Sweden -- for example, physics and chemistry -- are awarded typically two or three decades after the achievement; the Peace Prize, from Norway, has been awarded for more recent or immediate actions, which recognize effort and vision. The Peace Prize has also often been awarded with the hope of spurring on progress.

Rather than award the prize at the end of the winners' careers, it's a good thing this prize is given to someone who can still achieve his goals. While awards for physics, for example, should be given after the achievement is made, those for peace should be awarded for those with bright ideas and who put forth an effort to reach their goals.

Why? Because the award can actually lend a hand to helping the winner achieve what they hope to achieve. Obama could be helped through the remaining years of his presidency by the fact that he is a Nobel Peace Prize winner. The prize will undoubtedly give him additional credibility among national politicians and international figures.

The President received this award for the goals he is working to accomplish. The goals, ranging from nuclear weapons to climate to Muslim-world outreach, are lofty but would without question lead to a more peaceful world.

When Martin Luther King, Jr. won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, he won it for raising public consciousness of the civil rights movement; he had not necessarily made his most major accomplishments. Of course we now know the legacy King left, but in 1964 it was not yet clear the effect he would make on peace in the U.S.

And maybe it's not yet clear what effect Obama will have, but he has made it clear that he hopes to create lasting change. He united much of America and the world in hope of a better world during the election season -- that in itself is deserving of the prize.

Instead of criticizing our President for not yet accomplishing these high goals, we should be proud. The leader of our country was awarded a world-renowned award for peace; let's accept that and hope that it will encourage change in the future.