Variables and Parameters

var message = ''; 
var student;

function print(message){ 
    var outputDiv = document.getElementById('output'); 
     outputDiv.innerHTML = message; 
}

In this case yes, the variable that is stored in the function message will be the same value as what is sent it. ie to call you could say

print(message);

or

print(student);

what you call the variables inside the function could be anything so message could just be X but, it is best to use something meaningful.

It is also important to remember scope.

variables declared outside of all functions have global scope. So if you declared another variable within the function called message, it would hold different values because inside the function it is local scope.

Thanks Erik, There is so much to learn with JavaScript. After every video i watch i feel like i know less and less, but thanks again for the help!

You'll be fine, some of those I have watched over and over and, even after finishing my portfolio I am back to rewatching them because there is so much I haven't used that I want the refresher.