In times of uncertainty, the messages we receive can be long-lasting and influential. This study sought to understand what memorable messages students recalled receiving from their instructors at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and what kind of impact those messages had on them. Based on open-ended responses, students (N = 297) recalled emotional support messages most frequently, followed by motivational, solidarity/unifying, compliment/praise, and tangible/informational support messages. Students described how these messages influenced them in a variety of ways, including impacts on their motivation and performance, the instructor-student relationship, and their level of confidence and morale. The majority of these messages had the most significant associations with perceptions of the instructor-student relationship. Results highlight the influential role of instructor messages and provide important implications for instructors' future communication practices, whether in times of uncertainty or stability.