By: Fallon Weiss, Well-Being Leader for the Kennedy College of Sciences
Hey Guys!
It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? It feels like only yesterday Winter Break was coming to an end, and now it’s a whirlwind of quizzes, tests, homework, new classes, and new schedules. Here’s the most important part about all of that, though: as long as you’re putting in 100%, going to class, and keeping up with the work, you’re doing amazing. Trust. Winter break whiplash hits hard, but you’ve been through worse like clockwork. You’ve got this. And from all of us here at Student Life and Well-Being, we believe in you. Go keep kicking butt. <3
It took me a while to land on a topic for this month, but something came up recently that feels worth sharing. February is the month of Valentine’s Day, after all. So let’s stop beating around the bush and just say it: relationships. We all have them. Family. Friends. Partners. Roommates. The people we text daily. The people we vent to. The people we care about.
But it’s always more complicated than that, isn’t it?
It’s rarely about who forgot to text back or who left the dishes in the sink. It’s about the feelings underneath all of it. And feelings need somewhere to go.
Instead of writing up advice, I want to talk about the place where all of that either grows or falls apart: communication.
It sounds easy on the surface. For many relationships, it can be. But then we remember that every single one of us is carrying around complex emotions, insecurities, past experiences, and worries that shape how we see the world. We’re all different. And sometimes those differences make communication feel… hard.
I’ve seen it time and time again. Talking can feel as intimidating as cramming for a final at midnight when you’ve only studied half the material.
But it shouldn’t have to be. So why is it?
Part of it is vulnerability. Communicating honestly means stepping forward without a script. No guarantees. No promise of applause. Just you, saying what’s real.
And that can be scary.
Sometimes we’re not afraid of actually talking. We’re more afraid of what happens after we talk.
What if they don’t understand?
What if they do understand… and still disagree?
What if we’re “too much”?
What if we’re not enough?
So instead of saying, “Hey, that hurt my feelings,” we say, “It’s fine.”
Instead of saying, “I miss you,” we stay quiet.
Instead of saying, “I need help,” we convince ourselves we should be able to handle it alone.
Silence can feel safer in the moment. But over time, it creates distance where there doesn’t need to be any.
Communication gets complicated because we’re not just sharing information. We’re sharing feelings, expectations, boundaries, and history. Maybe you grew up in a house where conflict meant yelling. Maybe you learned that keeping the peace mattered more than being honest. Maybe you’re used to being the “strong one” or the “easygoing one,” and stepping outside that role feels uncomfortable.
But relationships thrive on clarity, not mind-reading.
No one can fix what they don’t know is broken.
No one can meet a need they don’t know exists.
And no one can reassure a fear you’ve never voiced.
That doesn’t mean every conversation has to be heavy or dramatic. Communication is also the small, positive stuff. The “I really appreciated that.” The “Can we do this together?” The “I’m proud of you.” It’s not just about resolving conflict. It’s about building connections.
And yes, sometimes it’s awkward. Sometimes your voice shakes. Sometimes you rehearse what you’re going to say in the shower like it’s a monologue. That’s okay. Courage isn’t about feeling perfectly calm. It’s about speaking anyway.
Especially during February, when everything is pink and heart-shaped and the world seems hyper-focused on romance, I want to gently remind you that communication matters in all relationships. Friends. Family. Teammates. Study groups. The people you live with. The people you love. The people you’re still figuring out.
Healthy communication isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being honest and respectful. It’s about listening as much as you speak. It’s about asking questions instead of making assumptions. It’s about giving people room to explain themselves before deciding what they meant.
And maybe most importantly, it’s about giving yourself permission to have needs in the first place.
You are allowed to say:
“That didn’t sit right with me.”
“I need some space.”
“Can we talk about this?”
“I care about you, and I want to make this better.”
That’s not dramatic. That’s healthy.
Plus, remember: your Well-Being Leaders are here for you, too. If communication feels nearly impossible and you have no idea where to start, please drop by. If you’re comfortable, we’d be more than happy to talk through whatever obstacle is in front of you, especially the ones that feel impossibly high. After all, we’ve all been there. Sometimes a fresh perspective is exactly what you need.
So if there’s something you’ve been holding in lately, consider this your gentle nudge. Not to start a fight. Not to overanalyze. Just to open the door. To let a little light into that space between you and someone else.
You might be surprised at what happens when you do.
As always, take care of yourselves and each other. You’re doing better than you think. <3