Kindness is contagious! When students model kindness, it inspires others to do the same. 

Spreading kindness on your college campus is important for many reasons. First, kindness can foster a sense of belonging. When we practice this, we create a much more welcoming campus environment. 

You truly never know what someone is facing in their day to day lives. These acts of kindness help to promote positive mental health by reducing students’ stress and anxiety. They contribute to understanding and empathy, which is necessary to navigating and getting through college. 

You may think that you cannot make a difference, but you really can. Just a smile or a compliment can change someone’s day around. I talked to many different students on campus and they all agreed that these small gestures have the power to make their day. 

One main way to foster kindness is by having services available for the faculty and students. By providing mental health resources such as counseling, they can help students process their emotions. 

Here on campus, we have the Counseling Center where students can go to speak to someone about their mental health. This is located at 224 Elkins Hall. 

Here are a few ways that you can help spread kindness and positivity on our campus:  

1. Pay for someone’s coffee or food.

2. Give a stranger a compliment. 

3. Write down encouraging notes and put them around.

4. Smile at strangers.

5. Hold the door for someone.

6. Tell your professor thank you. 

There are many clubs and Greek organizations on campus that go out of their way to make this campus a happier, better place. 

Emily Varnado, a member of Phi Mu, said that her and her sorority do lots to try and spread kindness. 

“I think we could all use a little more kindness and grace in our life. Some ways we do this is through a small compliment or a nice note or even buying a friend’s coffee! There are so many ways we can show kindness and love to others! It always makes you feel better to be kind to others,” Varnado stated.

Make it a goal everyday to try and make a positive impact on someone’s day!