08/24/2026
This breaks my heart, but also inspires me to share this with other parents who may be hearing the same from their students.
Kindness always wins! Please encourage your students to extend welcome and hospitality to those around them 💓
Sharing from another parent:
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A Little Reminder for College Parents ❤️
This is hitting home for me as my child reached out this morning to tell me how unhappy she is and isn’t fitting in, so I felt a need to write this post. As our kids begin this new chapter, I just want to offer a gentle reminder to talk to them about kindness.
Not every freshman arrives on campus feeling confident, excited, and completely comfortable. Some may be struggling with depression or anxiety. Some may have recently lost someone they love. Some may simply feel lonely, overwhelmed, or like they don’t quite fit in yet. And that transition can be incredibly difficult.
It only takes a second to make someone feel like they belong. Invite someone to come sit at your table in the dining hall. Say hello when you walk by. Ask someone how their day is going. If you notice someone sitting alone, invite them to join you.
And especially for those who have roommates or suitemates who don’t really converse with them, even when they try to make an effort, that loneliness can feel even bigger, yet there are many who mask it well.
Our kids don’t have to become friends with everyone, and they don’t have to naturally gravitate toward everyone they meet. But they can choose to be kind. They can make an effort to include someone, even if it’s just for a moment, or not just walk away as a group leaving someone else behind.
You never know what someone may be carrying silently or how much that one small gesture could mean to them.
This transition is difficult for many kids, even when it looks like everyone else is having the time of their lives. So please talk to your kids about looking around, noticing those who may be struggling, and choosing kindness.
Sometimes a simple “Come sit with us” or even just a smile and hello can make someone feel a little less alone. ❤️
