A senior reached out to me via email, excited about my advocacy project after my lecture, but she hasn’t responded in several days. How long should I typically wait for a reply from a college student, especially with spring break approaching?
I’m a graduate student who recently gave a lecture at a national conference mostly attended by college students. Immediately after my talk, a senior expressed a strong desire to connect with me and emailed me just two days later, sharing how significant the topic is to her and asking if we could set up a time to chat the following week (during spring break). She mentioned that she would be leading a training on the subject for two student groups in March. I replied the same evening (last Tuesday) with my availability for the next week, but I haven’t heard back since. What do you think might be happening? Should I wait until next week for a response, or is it safe to assume she has lost interest?
It’s understandable to feel uncertain in this situation, especially given the eagerness she expressed initially. However, it’s also important to consider the context of the week before spring break. Many college students are likely busy finalizing projects, studying for exams, or preparing for travel plans, which might lead to delayed responses.
It’s not uncommon for students to get overwhelmed as they juggle multiple priorities, and she may simply have gotten caught up in the chaos of the end of the semester. I would recommend giving her a little more time to respond, perhaps until next week. If you still haven’t heard back by then, it might be a good idea to send a friendly follow-up email. In your follow-up, you could express your continued interest in connecting and inquire if she’s still available to chat about the project. This way, you’re leaving the door open without putting too much pressure on her. Good luck!