Be The Senior You Needed

Walking into a crowded cafeteria or a new lecture hall can feel like a high-stakes mission when you do not have a designated spot. We have all been there—that awkward moment where you are looking for a friendly face and everyone seems to be looking at their phones. This National Kindness Week 2026, we are changing the narrative on campus. We are stepping up to be the people who look up, make eye contact, and invite others in. Inclusion is not just a buzzword; it is a practice that requires us to be brave enough to break our own social bubbles.

Being a mentor does not mean you have to have everything figured out. It just means you are willing to share what you have learned with someone who is a few steps behind you. Whether it is showing a first-year student where the best study spots are or offering some words of encouragement before a big exam, your presence matters. When you model empathy, you are setting the tone for the entire school culture. You are proving that success is not a zero-sum game. There is enough room for everyone to shine, and helping someone else reach their potential only makes your own light brighter.

Respect and belonging are the ingredients of a healthy community, and they start with how we treat the people we interact with every single day. That means being kind to the staff, the professors, and the students you do not usually talk to. It is about creating student-led projects that promote dignity and making sure that diverse voices are not just heard, but celebrated. When we choose to lead with kindness, we are building a legacy that goes far beyond our grades. We are becoming the kind of people who leave every place a little bit better than we found it.

So, what is your move this week? Maybe it is finally reaching out to that person in your seminar who always has great insights but stays quiet. Maybe it is organizing a small appreciation event for the cleaning crew who keeps the campus running. Whatever it is, make it intentional. Use this week to remind yourself that you have the power to shape the world around you. Kindness is a habit that grows with consistent action. Let’s make it the defining characteristic of our generation. You are not just a student; you are a culture-shifter.