Liz and Sarah are joined by Dr. Jill Grimes, family physician and author of The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook, to talk about what chronic academic stress actually does to your body — and why so many popular "quick fixes" for focus and sleep are making things worse. If you've ever reached for an energy drink at midnight, borrowed a friend's Adderall, or popped a melatonin gummy hoping to knock out before an exam, this one's for you.

We dive into:

• Why chronic stress affects your brain, body, and immune system
• The real impact of sleep deprivation on focus, memory, and emotions
• Energy drinks, nicotine pouches, ADHD meds, and “study drugs”
• Why THC gummies and sleep aids can backfire long-term
• The anxiety/sleep cycle college students get trapped in
• Practical strategies that can actually help manage anxiety, stress, and sleep difficulties
• Why movement, nutrition, and consistent sleep matter more than students think

We also talk about the dangerous normalization of “everyone’s doing it” on college campuses — and why informed choices matter when it comes to substances, sleep, and mental health.

If you’re a college student, parent, therapist, or anyone who has ever panic-Googled how to fall asleep before an exam, this episode is for you.

• 📖 The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook — Dr. Jill Grimes
• https://jillgrimesmd.com/the-ultimate-college-student-health-handbook/
• 📱 CBT-I Coach app (free, from the VA) — evidence-based insomnia therapy
• 🎧 Sleep stories: Calm, Headspace, YouTube
• 🌐 Dr. Grimes on social media — short videos on common college health topics
• For more information on our REACH Reset Summer offerings contact Dr. Sarah Olivo @ sarah@drsaraholivo.com

If you've ever panicked staring at a blank resume, frozen at the word "networking," or wondered what your boss actually wants from you on day one of an internship — this episode is for you. We sat down with Jennifer Gershberg to get real, practical advice on everything from interview prep to building relationships that actually open doors. No fluff. Just the stuff they should have taught you in class.

In This Episode:

• Why "fake it till you make it" is bad advice — and what to do instead

• The #1 mistake interns make that instantly tanks their reputation
• How to prep for an interview when you've never had one before
• What employers actually want from a college intern (it's not expertise)
• Why networking feels awkward — and how to make it feel natural
• The Gen Z vs. employer perception gap, and how to bridge it
• How to turn any job — even a "boring" one — into resume gold
• The surprising reason building real relationships leads to real confidence

Key Takeaways

• Competence builds confidence. Real confidence doesn't come from faking it — it comes from building real skills and seeing them pay off.
• Over-promising is the fastest way to look unreliable. If you can't meet a deadline, say so early. Communication beats silence every time.
• Your "boring" jobs count. Every job teaches transferable skills — you just have to know how to name and frame them.
• Networking is just relationship-building. Your friends, classmates, and professors are already your network. You're doing it every day.
• Internships are for learning. Employers don't expect you to know everything — they expect curiosity, communication, and positive energy.
• Ask about their challenges. At networking events, asking what problems an employer is facing flips the dynamic in your favor.
• Every generation brings something valuable. Gen Z has a fresh perspective — own it.

About Jennifer Gershberg

Jennifer Gershberg is a campus speaker, parent speaker, and course creator focused on college student success. She spent eight years as a professor at the University of Maryland, where she worked with thousands of students. Today, she helps students navigate the transition to college and build the professional skills they need to succeed in the working world. Her tagline — "nurturing but tough" — was actually coined by a former student. Find her at jgtalks.org and on Instagram @jgtalksorg.

Junior year of high school is here — and the college process is officially real.

In this special episode, we try something new: a “Newlywed Game”-style conversation between a mom and her daughter about their different takes on independence, stress, communication, and what the college process actually feels like inside one household.

Ali Dorfman, former TV producer and founder of The College & Dorm Corner, joins us alongside her daughter Emme to share the parent and student perspective in real time.

From ACT prep to Life360, from FOMO to family rules, this episode captures the nuanced dance between pushing, guiding, and letting go.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• When junior year suddenly makes college feel “real”
• The independence spectrum: How much should parents step in?
• Balancing grades, sports, extracurriculars, and test prep
• The emotional climate inside a household during application season
• Communication expectations once students leave for college
• Which family rules may (or may not) retire
• The role of social media in shaping college dreams
• Why passion > résumé padding
• The tension between parent aspirations and student interests
• The “marathon, not sprint” mindset
  
  

Key Takeaways:

• Junior year often feels like “buckle up” season.
• Independence in the college process is rarely all-or-nothing.
• Students need space to develop their own internal compass.
• Parents are navigating their own letting-go journey.
• The fun stuff (sports, campus life, dorm decor) can be motivating — but academics still dominate the mental load early on.
• Family communication expectations should be discussed before move-in day.
  
  

About Our Guest

Ali Dorfman is a former TV producer (CBS News, The Today Show, ABC) and founder of The College & Dorm Corner, a one-stop platform supporting families through the college planning journey — from test prep to dorm décor. Make sure to check out this amazing resource! https://www.thecollegecorner.com/about-us

And a special thank you to the brave, insightful and all-around rock star Emme who was willing to be our *first* Two Takes guest!

Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

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Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner