As the semester drones on, tensions run high. Midterms are beginning to rear their heads, project deadlines are inching closer, grades seem to be lower than they need to be, and there is one thing consistently left behind: human kindness.
Yes, going to Maggie’s on Thursday after your crush party might be fun, but have you had a real moment of human connection in the past week? Have you reached out to a friend who you haven’t heard from in a while to make sure they’re doing okay? How’s the girl across from you in the library doing? Have you done something for someone else this week?
Busy times are meant to test our humanity. The institutions we are a part of are asking us: can we, through everything, remain people above it all? The easiest route to take is to shut down. I think it’s fair to say we’ve all locked ourselves in our dorms/apartments/the library and really shut out the world around us. To be fair, if you want to create balance between a social life and academic success, that can be necessary. What I’ve noticed lately, however, is that people are shutting out themselves. There’s no conception of self care, let alone care for others.
Emory boasts itself on a loving, warm, and supportive community, but we, as a university, lose our charm and a quintessential component to our character when we remove ourselves from that community. From a general understanding of people, I don’t think that’s what anyone wants, so allow me to offer my best suggestions for maintaining love and kindness in the Emory community.
1. Reach out
People all around you are struggling, friends, roommates, even classmates. If there’s a club member who hasn’t been as active in meetings, or avoiding them altogether, check on them. If your friend hasn’t gone out any weekend since being here, they might need a lifeline. If you see a classmate on the verge of a breakdown, offer notes to help. Not everyone can exemplify the textbook cry for help, but they might just need a hand.
2. Share what you can
If I could buy everyone on this campus a cup of coffee, I would because I know how much it’s needed. If you see someone really struggling, or if you just have the extra $2, offer to buy their cup of coffee. Be the domino in an act of kindness.
3. Don’t forget to smile
Resting bitch face is real, I have it, but it shouldn’t mean you can’t make an effort to smile and greet people you know. People walking or eating alone might be doing so for a reason, so I wouldn’t encourage imposing yourself, but be sure to make a point to say hello, or at least wave.
4. Say thank you
The workers here are just as busy as you are. They have lives and families outside of this institution the same as us. When they swipe you into the DUCling, check you out at Cox, drop you off from your bus, or anything in between, just take a second to show some gratitude; it’s the easiest way to share kindness.
5. Be present
As fun and awesome as it is to be connected with the whole world all the time, pay attention to those around you. Your snapchats could probably wait and you don’t really need to Instagram your Highland breakfast, so set your phone aside to show the people you’re with that you care about them.
6. Make an effort
It is so cool to care about things. So. Freaking. Cool. Attend your club meetings, listen in class, but what’s even cooler is caring about people. Not checking in just often enough to be a good enough friend to ask for a favor some day, but really reaching out. Your friends are unique people, with dope interests, and they might actually teach you or show you something you might love too.
7. Love yourself too
You know the saying and all of its adaptations: you’ll never love something if you don’t love yourself first. Don’t forget to check in with yourself, to take care of yourself, and to reach out if you’re the person who needs a lifeline. There are resources on campus ready to be your anchor to sanity, and they’re happy to help. Even if loving yourself is an indulgent pint of ice cream, allow yourself some breathing space.