Noticing What’s Going Well: Celebrating Small Academic and Life Wins
By Flor Katz-Starr, Academic Coaching Fellow
Office of Student Success Services (OS3)
March, 2026

College is a time of growth and change, filled with both big and small changes every day. Achievements and successes come in all sizes, too. While we often focus on end goals like passing exams, successfully passing courses, or getting internships, sometimes we do not focus enough on the smaller, everyday successes. Recognizing small wins can motivate and build confidence and resilience. As students begin to appreciate everyday small achievements, they will see that their efforts matter, increasing their self-growth.

Small wins matter because they:

• Build momentum: Create a sense of progress that keeps students moving forward
• Boost confidence: Reaching small goals builds a positive, “I can do it” mindset
• Improve focus: Breaking big goals into small tasks makes things feel more manageable
• Encourage creativity: Small successes make students more willing to try different approaches
• Strengthens accountability: Noticing progress helps students stay on track and committed to their goals

Simple ways parents can support this mindset:

• Ask specific questions: Instead of “How was your day?” try “What’s something that went well today?”
• Praise effort: Recognize efforts, consistency, and persistence, not just grades or results
• Normalize smaller steps toward progress: Remind them that growth often happens in small steps over time
• Encourage self recognition: Suggest they keep a short list of daily or weekly wins.
• Model it yourself: Share a small win from your own day, even if it seems ordinary. There’s growth at every life stage!
• Help them reframe “challenges” to the more positive “learning experiences”.

Don’t forget to recognize their everyday small wins, such as:

• Asking for help. Be proud of them for emailing a professor, using campus support, or scheduling that OS3 appointment they thought they didn’t need.
• Cleaning or organizing their space enough that they can see the floor again. Big win: get rid of clutter!
• Making the effort to go to a professor’s office hours.
• Choosing sleep over one more episode, TikTok, or that video game.
• Eating at least one healthy meal each day that didn’t come from the vending machine or fast food.
• Showing up to every class, even though there were times when they would rather sleep or do something else.
• Starting an assignment early rather than waiting until the last minute. (This too, is a big win!)
• Taking a walk, breathing, and refocusing when they start to get anxious, stressed, or frustrated, especially if they know they did poorly on an assignment or quiz.

FAQ:
Q: What behaviors should I be looking for from my students that suggest they are building good habits?
A: Consistency is a great sign. Regular class attendance, having a consistent weekly schedule, good sleep habits, and talking about routines are all indicators that they’re developing strong habits.

Q: How can I celebrate small wins from a distance?
A: A quick text or call acknowledging their efforts can be meaningful. Even a simple “I’m proud of you” message can boost confidence more than you might expect.

Q: What if my student compares themselves to other students?
A: Encourage them to focus on their own progress. Every student’s college journey is different, and growth often happens at different paces. Someone else’s highlight reel doesn’t show the late nights and stress behind the scenes.

Q: How often should I check in with my student?
A: A simple weekly check-in can make a big difference. If you don’t hear from them right away, they may be busy managing classes, friends, activities and life.

Q: How do campus resources play a role in small wins?
A: Using support services such as OS3, the Counseling Center, attending office hours, and connecting with faculty or staff are all strong indicators that students are taking initiatives and investing in their success. Even scheduling the appointment they’ve been talking about for weeks counts as progress.

It’s important to encourage students to value effort and progress rather than just outcomes. Growth can happen every day in ordinary moments recognized as small wins. As parents, expressing a little praise and encouragement for these small steps can lessen the pressure and stress that students feel about reaching the final goal. Helping students recognize the progress they are making in ordinary everyday moments can create a healthy mindset, reduce stress, and allow them to focus on their efforts.