Ways you can use supportive messages to help your student
Good Friday and Easter wishes
Ways You Can Use Supportive Messages to Help Your Student
In my graduate school program (about higher education), I read a lot of articles about college students’ communication with their parents/families/loved ones. One of the articles talked about a variety of supportive messages that families could offer their students.
Given our proximity to the end of the semester, I thought it might be helpful to list these in the blog, and if you ever need them, you can pull any of these phrases out to shoot your Deac a quick text at a time they could use a lift. Note: I have adapted and paraphrased items from Edna C. Alfaro’s article*. Here goes:
Uplifting comments
“You can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”
“You’ve always been focused on your goals and always do things right.”
“Good job! You rock!”
“Good luck!”
“Future doctor [lawyer/professor/actor/whatever] in the house!”
Meeting Goals, Staying Focused:
“It’s like a soccer game, give it your all until the end.”
“Keep your eye on the ball.”
Effort/Hard Work
“Put time and effort in, and then everything else will follow.”
“Give it your all.”
“Keep working hard.”
Academic and Other Decisions
“Take time to think about what you are doing.”
“College is worth it, even if it might be hard at the moment.”
“Do what you think is best.”
“Study what makes you happy.”
“Ask your professors for help.”
“Don’t forget to rest. School is important, and so is your health.”
Parents/Families as Sources of Support
“I am here to help you if you need it.”
“If you do fail, whatever choice you make, I will always support you and have my arms open for you.”
“Anything you need, I will try my best to give it to you.”
“You are a great example for your siblings.”
Minimizing Worries
“Don’t worry about your test too much.”
“Don’t worry about your college loans, you’ll eventually pay them off.”
“I know it feels like a big deal, but you’ve got this!”
You are probably already using many of these. I can’t overstate the importance of parents and families’ support and understanding during the college years. Even if your students don’t express it directly to you as a need, your Deacs want and need to hear your confidence in them, that you understand them, that they can do hard work, that you are always there for them.
Hope these are helpful. As a reminder, I am still on PTO on Monday (though I will be there for a little while on Monday for Campus Day for Accepted Students). Back to live blogs on Tuesday the 11th.
Good Friday and Easter wishes
Good Friday is today, and Easter is on Sunday. For all who are observing, I wish you a joyous Easter!
* Alfaro, E. C. (2018). Communication frequency and types of supportive messages: A mixed methods approach to examining mexican-origin college students’ relationships with their mothers and fathers. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 153819271877266. https://doi.org/10.1177/1538192718772663
