As emails about lost items pile into your inbox, do you ever wonder how effective they are? Or, on the contrary, have you ever misplaced your headphones or calculator, and become a perpetrator of these painfully common emails? Of course, while these lost emails can be annoying, through some research, I have crafted some tips to maximize the chances of your lost email turning into a found one.

Throughout January, we received a total of twenty-three lost emails. Whether it’s misplaced couch cushions, hats, jackets, or earbuds so small you could conceal them in one hand, the go-to way to approach any disappearance is to ask others. Surprisingly, many of these do get returned.

Tip No. 1: Give as much information as you can.

One email helped find a pair of black earbuds belonging to Jack Dalton ’28. Having lost them twice so far, he’s an expert at tracking them down. Particularly, the second time he lost them, he crafted a thorough email to simplify his search. Jack included both an image of the item and the last place he had seen them—representing the perfect recipe for a lost email. To no surprise, a friend returned the missing earbuds thanks to his email.

Tip No. 2: If you know someone took or stole it, firmly ask for it back.

Another encouraging example of a successful lost email was when history teacher Midori Ishizuka’s couch cushions both disappeared from her classroom and were replaced with a different pillow during Surprise Holiday. Contrary to the previous example, this case wasn’t so much of a classic “I misplaced my cushion,” but the less familiar “whodunit.” In Ms. Ishizuka’s email, she encouraged the responsible students to return the couch cushion immediately, skipping over the unnecessary details of where it might have gone. The cushion was promptly returned and the classroom was restored back to order.

Tip No. 3: if the lost item is very important, include an incentive.

Another tool for lost emails is incentive. Take the lost jackets of Max Fan ’25 for an example. His lost email included a small monetary reward: five dollars to anyone who finds his coat. While most other lost emails will probably fall to the depths of students’ subconscious thoughts, the idea of a reward is sure to keep it at the forefront of their minds. In fact, you might even  catch people actively looking for the missing items. As expected, Max’s jacket was promptly found thanks to his email.

Tip No. 4: Look for the item yourself and let people know in person.

Perhaps the most effective method of searching for lost items is exemplified by Dilzafer Singh ’25, when he took time out of his day to find his calculator without sending an email. During a computer science class, Dilzafer entered the room, having just explained his problem to neighboring classrooms, and announced his predicament to the entire class. Everyone ensured their calculator was their own before a student checked a crowded table in the corner. To everyone’s surprise, Dilzafer’s calculator was there, simply forgotten in the classroom. Dilzafer found his calculator in less than ten minutes, and all it took was a little determination and a quick trip around the Schoolhouse. Take note, everyone.

While dreams of finding lost items do come true, many of the lost emails we receive each day simply float through the cloud, gone forever. But to ensure you meet the same success as these lucky finders, follow these tips, or just don’t lose your items in the first place.