The week of Feb. 12 to Feb. 18 is known as “Kindness Week,” a week where people are encouraged to perform random acts of kindness to bring about positivity and good vibes. Kindness Week is a great reminder that there is some good in everyone, but why limit the caring gestures to just one week? Here’s a list of easy things you can do to be kind every day.
#1 Call your parents
We’re college students. There’s always a test, an assignment, a class, or a social event we’re stressing about or attending. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own lives we forget about the people who got us here. One way to spread the love and be kind is to give your parents a call!
#2 Pay it forward
We all know that college can be stressful and the days can be long. Those two things together always equal coffee. Try paying it forward. During your next coffee break at Starbucks or Circle K, ask the cashier if you can pay for a drink that they can pass along to the next customer. It’ll make someone’s day.
#3 Clean your dorm
If you live on campus, you know that sometimes living in close quarters can get messy. Clean up after yourself. Plug in or spray some air freshener. Most RAs have provided whiteboards on the doors, take advantage of that and write your roomie a note or leave a little doodle. Make the room more inviting.
#4 Smile
A lot of people keep their heads down or wear headphones as they walk, making the cross-campus trek lonely and quiet. Try unplugging, walking with your head up, and giving someone a smile and a “good morning.” Not only will you be adding some positivity to a stranger’s day, but smiling, even if you’re faking it, can boost your mood and decrease stress according to this Penn State study.
#5 Leave a printing card
It’s happened to all of us. You get to the library, you’re in a hurry, and suddenly realize you forgot your printing card. Printing cards in the library are 50 cents, and a lot of people don’t know that. The cards are little and can easily slip your mind, especially when you’re running late for a class or printing in a hurry. Next time you spend all that’s on your printing card, leave it for someone to find and save them 50 cents.
#6 Hold the door
It’s a small gesture that can go a long way. Holding the door for someone behind your or who is coming around the same time you are is a small act of kindness you can any day.
#7 Fill out a comment card
Those men and women who work at Barbs and Davenport? They’re people too. And the student workers take shifts along with their school schedule. If one of them has gone out of their way to serve you or make your day better, return the favor and let their supervisor know. Grab a comment card at the register and leave a good review.
#8 Bring your professor a snack
Three hour classes can be brutal, and not just on us students. A lot of professors have other jobs and work at other schools. A lot of them sit there and chill while we take our little break during the halfway mark. Make their day by bringing them a little snack they can have just like everyone else is doing.
#9 Leave a comment
One way to spread the love every day is leaving a comment on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat. Did your friend just post a fire selfie? Tell them! It’ll make their day and boost their confidence.
#10 Leave a sticky note
One of my favorite ways to spread the love is leaving a sticky note for someone to find. Maybe write a quick love note for your boyfriend or roommate to find. You can even write one for a complete stranger. You’ll make someone’s day.