I received an email from a college senior expressing strong interest in my advocacy project after my lecture, but I haven’t heard back from her in several days. How long is it generally acceptable to wait for a response from a college student, especially during the week leading up to spring break?
As a grad student who recently presented at a national conference mainly targeted at college students, I had a college senior reach out to me just two days after my talk. She was enthusiastic about the topic, emphasizing its importance to her, and requested to schedule a chat the following week (during spring break). She also mentioned that she would be conducting a training on the topic for two student groups in March. I responded the very same day (last Tuesday evening) with some suggested times for our conversation next week, but I haven’t received any response since then. What do you think might be happening? Should I wait until next week for a reply, or should I assume she’s no longer interested for some reason?
It’s understandable to feel a bit anxious when waiting for a reply, especially after an enthusiastic initial outreach. However, two days of no response, particularly before spring break, is not unusual among college students. Many students may be busy wrapping up assignments, preparing for break, or mentally checking out for the upcoming time off.
That said, it’s a good idea to give her a little more time, especially since it sounds like she was genuinely interested in connecting. I would suggest waiting until next week, when break is over, before considering following up. If you don’t hear back, a gentle nudge might be appropriate—people often appreciate reminders, and timing is everything with busy schedules. Stay optimistic; she might still be eager to connect!