COVID-19 calls to our attention the importance of being transparent, flexible, and understanding. Perhaps the most defining characteristic of this pandemic has been uncertainty and unpredictability. We have little notion of what will happen and when. This is true for our personal and professional lives; this is all new and scary. In our interactions with our graduate students, it is important to acknowledge and discuss this uncertainty.
Communicate as much as possible
Our inclination is often to not say anything until we are sure of what to say, but this is seldom a productive approach. Even when a situation is ambiguous and unpredictable, acknowledging this and conveying that you and your students will work together to arrive at a solution, will often help to reduce anxiety. Be honest. Accept that things will change and that everyone will need to respond.
Make a plan, make another plan, make several more
Think through as many options and contingencies as possible. As circumstances change, having explored and discussed a series of contingency plans will make it easier to pivot as needed. Thinking through multiple plans teaches students to strategize and to be agile. It is an opportunity to learn and practice professional development and even leadership skills. It also conveys that contingency plans are valid plans—not failures—rather, they are alternative means of getting to the end goal.
Be flexible and accommodating
Pandemics are tricky. They require us to rethink our rules, policies, and procedures. Remove obstacles and barriers when possible. Modifications to a research plan need not devalue a project. Restructuring, redefining, and rescheduling are options you should discuss openly with your students. Mapping out different scenarios in advance will help them to adjust and adapt to changes, no matter what the cause. Preparing for change in advance helps to minimize the energy and chaos required to make a change.
Pandemics are scary. They demand empathy and understanding. Check-in with your students often. Ask them how they are doing. Share with them how you are doing. Be there for them and with them. Together with transparency, flexibility, and understanding, we will get through this thing.
