An Open Letter to Those Who Know a Student

Dear Friends/Family,

With the recent events regarding COVID-19, many students' lives have been flipped upside down. Classes have been canceled and/or converted to an online format, Spring Breaks extended, and much school-related traveling has been canceled or postponed. While you should always be a supporter of the students in your life, it’s especially important to be available to them right now.

Here’s my story:

During the second week of March 2020, 4-year universities started to convert all of their in-person courses to an online format, effective until early April. As the movement grew, many students at Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) became worried. The Agriculture Department was less than one week away from our National Professional Agriculture Students (PAS) Competition. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) was three weeks away from traveling to Texas for Catalyst. Many students had just started planning for their events, including volunteering, competitions, and learning-based tours. All of these plans have now been canceled and put on hold due to health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many students, including myself, have had our lives turned around, flipped inside out, and rotated upside down in less than 7 days. Students actively involved on campus are more than likely to have their conferences, conventions, competitions, volunteering, and more events planned out 1-2 months in advance. All events that were scheduled have been canceled, with slim chances of being rescheduled. These include National competitions not limited to sports, speaking, honors activities, and career-related activities.

Activities that were in the beginning and near the ending stages of planning have been postponed. Any opportunities for studying abroad have been taken away, and those currently studying abroad have new challenges in front of them. All across the nation, students are heartbroken and angry. While some students have expressed their visible emotions, such as yelling in a parking lot or posting on social media, others may remain alone and quiet, while coping on their own. No matter how your fellow student(s) express their emotions, remember that they are experiencing life-changing events.

Introverts, Extroverts, Talkers, and Listeners need support from you during this time. Here are three simple ideas to show your support:

Leave them a note or message to remind them that you are there during this time.

A simple inspiration or honest sympathy/empathy can go a long way.

Provide them with a care package.

This could be something as simple as gifting something you already have, so you’re still remaining at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ideally, you would provide them with something to take their mind off the stress, that also shows them you care for their wellbeing. Your care package could be as creative as creating a box with only items containing the students favorite color or as simple as a box of candy with a note.

Invite them over for dinner or a social activity.

Especially if the student is living alone, this small gesture can go a long way. There’s nothing more thoughtful than enjoying a homemade meal, wine night, or game night with a friend or family member.

While this is a small list of ideas, implementing only one of these items can have a big impact on a student in your life.

With much love,

A concerned college student

Pictured here are FVTC PAS Students attending the National PAS Conference in 2019. This year, 21 FVTC students were unable to attend the 2020 conference.

Follow @JourneywithJodieW on Facebook for more content like this.