Schedule a Spring Break chat with your student!

From my windows at Burruss Hall, I can see students crossing the Drillfield as they head to class every day. In the next few months, as we and campus thaw from winter snow, our campus will be lively and bustling with increased outdoor events, especially after Spring Break. Those events and activities are a great way for students to engage with their community and pursue volunteer opportunities! For now, it’s wonderful to see groups of students sitting together in the dining halls and the library or poring over textbooks as they prepare for midterm exams and projects before Spring Break.

Our students work diligently throughout the year, and it’s important to acknowledge their efforts and encourage celebration. While many students will still have work to complete over break, it’s also an opportunity for Hokies to relax, have fun, and touch base with families and friends. In advance of all that fun, I hope you will consider making time to talk with your Hokie, including the three topics below, and highlighting our wonderful Hokie Wellness resources!

A safety chat

Whether your student is staying on campus, headed home, or traveling, it’s always a good idea to have systems in place to ensure safety while having fun!

• When they go out, encourage the buddy system, where two friends commit to look out for one another’s welfare and support, especially in new situations or environments. This kind of accountability partnering can help with productivity goals too!
• If your student is traveling to a new place, remind them to check the laws and regulations of that area. Creating an itinerary before travel will help your student know how they’re getting around and what locations they plan to attend. Planning ahead reduces confusion so that your student can confidently enjoy their Spring Break! Suggest to your student setting times to check in with family and friends.

A doomscrolling chat

During downtime, we know how normal it has become to pick up the phone and begin scrolling. Sometimes those minutes turn to hours, with adverse impacts on well-being. The Mental Health Foundation points out that the human instinct to doomscroll is natural – we want to stay connected to the world around us and feel prepared. However, this cycle can lead to increased anxiety, negative emotions, or increased worry. Here are some tips you can share with your student to increase productivity and practice digital well-being:

• Show curiosity about whether your student sets time limits on phone usage and apps, and if they like to challenge themselves to meet those each day. Ask about goals and tasks that do not include their phone. Setting aside time for a favorite hobby, taking a walk, or having a conversation can increase feelings of productivity and connectedness.
• Encourage your student to manage their social media feed. We often follow creators or channels of similar interests, but when scrolling, we also encounter new information from new creators. Hiding certain accounts or topics can limit exposure to negative content and manage where our attention goes.
• In a previous conversation, Laurie Fritsch, assistant director of Hokie Wellness, encouraged students who experience guilt, anger, or anxiety from their scrolling to take concrete steps towards identifying local actions. Volunteering locally with VT Engage or a community group can help give a sense of control over the information causing distress.

An alcohol consumption chat

For students who may choose to participate in celebrations or Spring Break activities where they may encounter alcohol, it’s important that students are prepared to engage safely.

• This Hokie Wellness resource shares information on minimizing risk with Party Positive awareness. Remind students if they are consuming alcohol to be intentional about their limits and to hydrate and eat before they drink.
• We encourage students to make informed, legal, and low-risk decisions. In addition to using the buddy system, encourage your student to have a plan for getting to and leaving a function, either through a fully sober designated driver, public transportation, or rideshare service.

Thank you!

Thank you for taking time to check in with your student at this semester midpoint. Make opportunities for them to share something that they are proud of or any concerns they might have. Remind them of their academic goals and discuss timelines and outcomes. Student Affairs offers a variety of resources for students and families to ensure student success.

I hope you and your Hokies have a wonderful and safe Spring Break!

Frances Keene, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs