Last week, I was having a terrible day. My computer broke, I was overwhelmed with too many commitments, I was busy trying to finish my winter classes while beginning a new semester’s workload, and it felt like nothing was going my way. When I got home feeling defeated from a long day of classes, my roommate had dinner ready, and that was the kindest thing she could have done to support me. That small gesture made me feel so loved and made my hectic day a million times better!
That’s why small acts of kindness are so important—because you can really feel them! Even little things like holding the door or asking someone how their day was can change someone’s whole mood. After all, you never know who could use a little bit of extra love, especially if they’re truly having a bad day. If you would like some tips or suggestions for how you can make someone’s day just a tiny bit better, read on for six ways you can spread kindness on campus.
Give More Meaningful Compliments
Sometimes when we are so used to being around someone, we forget to remind them of how amazing they are. Whether it’s your best friend or a random stranger, everyone can use a pick-me-up! Saying meaningful, true things you love about them helps us be more present.
I love complimenting my friend’s clothes or other more superficial things, but chances are a person is much more likely to remember a compliment about their ability to light up a room or stay focused on their goals. If nothing else comes of it, giving compliments is also a great way to make class or work friends!
Buy a Coffee for a Friend
With all the winter weather, I often find myself grabbing a hot drink to get through the day. This is a great opportunity to invite a classmate or text a friend who you haven’t seen in a while to join you. Spending time with my friends in the winter can already be challenging—especially while it’s blizzarding outside—so offering to get coffee is a perfect quick get-together. Whether you’re just catching up between classes or you make a habit of meeting, putting effort like this into your relationships is an easy way to show how much you care. After all, any excuse to get coffee is a good one!
If it’s someone you get coffee with a lot, offer to buy it next time, and then they’ll probably return the favor. My roommate and I often do this to save time, but when you think about it, it’s a simple act of everyday kindness!
Helping Your Neighbors
Speaking of cold weather, the snow can be a huge pain. Shoveling out cars, walking on slippery sidewalks or losing your keys in the snow are problems we’re all way too familiar with. (By the way, if you see my keys anywhere, please let me know.) In moments like these, lending a hand to housemates or neighbors is an easy way to build goodwill.
Maybe you forgot to take the trash out one night, or perhaps you have a package coming when you might not be home. When situations like these arise, neighbors are great friends to help you in a pinch. A little neighborliness goes a long way when things get cold!
Do the House Chores
On the topic of housemates… I tend to get extra lazy in the winter, especially on snowy days. But chores don’t do themselves, and no one wants to come home to a sink full of dirty dishes or an overflowing trash can. A simple way to show kindness to the people you live with is to take care of your own mess, do the dishes, help with laundry and pitch in with other household tasks. Even if they don’t say it, the people around you will notice and appreciate it!
Follow Up With People
One of my 2026 resolutions was to follow up with my friends more. This means that if they had an interview or an event, I’ll text them and see how it went, or if they were worried about something, I’ll check in on them and offer to help out however I can. Just like making time for people, following up can show that you care about your relationships and what’s going on in their lives!
This doesn’t just apply to friends, either. Following up with your professors if they are absent from class helps to establish connections and may even help you in your future career—you never know! Also, don’t forget to check in and see how your family is doing back home. It can be hard to stay in touch with all the chaos of college, but those people who matter to you will definitely appreciate the effort!
Be Kind to Yourself
There are a lot of easy ways to be kind around campus, but one of the most essential and often overlooked ones is to be kind to yourself. Just like everyone else, you’re doing your best for right now and you deserve to pat yourself on the back for that!
Being kind to yourself isn’t about ignoring mistakes or pretending everything is fine; it’s about giving yourself the same patience and understanding you’d offer a friend. College life can be demanding, and no one gets it right all the time. Taking a moment to recognize your effort, learn from setbacks and keep going can make a real difference. When you lead with self-compassion, it becomes easier to show that same kindness to the people around you.
With Random Acts of Kindness Week right around the corner, now’s the perfect time to start small. Kindness doesn’t have to be a grand gesture—its everyday moments, quick check-ins and showing up for the people around you (including yourself). In a season that can feel heavy, these little acts add up more than you think!
Written By Kate Jackson ’26, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs