Talking to Students, Peers, or
Colleagues During Uncertain Times

Talking to Students, Peers, or Colleagues During Uncertain Times

  • Make sure you are ready to discuss the topic:
    • The election season was hard on many of us. Although it can be hard to talk about, simply ignoring an emotional issue like the recent political events can feel strange to others. Students, for example, have stated that professors allowing time to discuss the election and its aftermath has been reassuring. However, if you don’t feel ready to discuss it yet or don’t feel able to follow through on the suggestions below, let others know and tell them you will discuss it in the future.
  • Listen:
    • The most important thing to let students share what they are feeling and you can simply guide the discussion. You can say things like, “I understand”, “I hear you”, or “What you are saying/feeling is valid”
  • Ask open ended questions:
    • Open ended questions like “What was your reaction to the recent political events?” or “How are you feeling with the news of…?” will help spur conversation
  • Avoid judgment:
    • Many of us have strong feelings about politics but expressing our own strong opinions can shut down the conversation. Stating strong opinions about a particular politician, for example, can alienate large groups of people and make people feel uncomfortable. Remember, depending on the nature of the relationship with the person you are talking with, there can be a power dynamic that results in one person's opinion carrying much more weight than another’s.
  • Create a supportive and respectful tone:
    • If you choose to discuss the election (or any other emotional topic) require that people listen without judgment, honor each other’s opinions, and communicate in respectful ways. You should also commit to these same principles.
  • Don’t feel the need to problem solve in the moment:
    • We like to solve problems. The current political issues are complicated and we aren’t solving anything today.
  • Do empower others to think about how they can impact the future:
    • Helping others focus on ways they can contribute to society using their MIT experience and/or education will feel empowering and motivating.
  • Reaffirm MIT’s core values of respecting and valuing all members of our community:
  • Consult and refer if you notice someone in distress:
    • Useful resources include your academic administrator, Student Support Services, Mental Health and Counseling, and Graduate Personal Support