For college students who are generally overcommitted individuals, sometimes it can feel like every day is a fight to stay afloat. Some students may forget that their peers are struggling to float or flat-out sinking. It takes little-to-no effort to show a little kindness to fellow students, and small gestures can turn around another person’s day.
It is no secret that Pepperdine students are a group who like to stretch themselves thin. When pushed to the brink and about to reach the limit, the power of a kind gesture is a beacon of light in an otherwise bleak day.
In any given day, students are stressed over classes, overworked and overcommitted to extracurricular events they know they have no time for. On top of all that, there’s still a social life to maintain.
Why make time for others when there’s just not enough time in the day?
Empathy comes from those who know what drowning feels like because they have been there before.
Sometimes it’s hard to even consider the feelings of another person among the calamity of life, let alone put their interests ahead of personal priorities. However, those rare moments aren’t always at the expense of precious time.
Start simple: Hold the door for that person a couple steps behind, offer a unique compliment or a listening ear.
Ask a genuine “How’s your day going?” and actually wait to hear a response instead of hurrying past them. Buy a friend a snack or maybe stop the shuttle when someone is running to catch it. If anything, just smile at students that walk by.
When those opportunities arise, try to capitalize and be a light in someone’s day.
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Follow Omar Murphy on Twitter at: @omar_j_murphy