“National Good Neighbor Day” is not a holiday that gets recognized on everyone’s calendar but one that encapsulates the values integral to building a sense of community. This day wrapped up September and reminded us that values such as friendliness, respect for individual differences and social awareness can help us all get along in a diverse college town. You see, we are the high-fives on campus, the laughs heard in the dining hall and the chicken soup offered to those who get sick. Just as important, we are also the fingers pointing at the new kid because he has a funny beard and the loud music that keeps our neighbors up at night. As neighbors, we will undoubtedly influence the lives of others, so the question we must ask ourselves is, “How can I make this a better place for everyone?”

When you reflect on the upcoming election, you may notice there is a growing push for citizens to partake in community service. This can happen by joining the military, giving to Goodwill or candy-striping, but it can also take other forms. On a more interpersonal level, we can connect with our peers by taking an interest in their lives. By inviting neighbors to lunch, we bring friendliness to our environment. If we see someone feeling blue, sometimes just asking, “What’s wrong?” can send a message that we care. If we find someone’s keys in their door or wallet on the ground, returning it can be the beginning of a neighborly relationship. Take a moment to reflect on the last time someone you did not know asked you how your day was going. Some days, a little gesture like that goes a long way.

SIUC university housing has programs that promote gestures like this every day. They are focused on the recognition and appreciation of others. For example, their 212 programs, designed to recognize staff members who go above and beyond the call of duty, are based on the premise that at 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees it boils, and with boiling water comes steam, and if we add the extra effort (to 212), that steam can power movement and change. Maggie Leitch, Hall Director for Neely and Boomer halls, said these programs “have done worlds of good for our staff and the way they treat and recognize each other.”

It is undeniable that there is a lot of violence at home and abroad. In times like these, it becomes even more important to let go of what we cannot control and take control of what we can. Our sense of belonging, connection and community is one of the things we can control, so why not make this a more positive experience for us all? All it takes is a look, a question or a gesture. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no one can sincerely try to help another without helping one’s self.” So as you adjust to your life in college, realize you create the environment here, and it starts with being a good neighbor.

Kaplan is a professional psychology intern at the SIUC Counseling Center.