What were therapists really like in college?

In this candid episode of College Is Fine, Everything’s Fine, we sit down with therapists for an unfiltered conversation about their actual college experiences—no polished bios, no clinical jargon, and absolutely no acronyms.

From awkward roommate situations to academic struggles, bad decisions, and lessons learned the hard way, our guests share the truths they wish someone had told them as students. This episode is equal parts validating, surprising, and reassuring—especially if you’ve ever thought, “Everyone else has this figured out except me.”

Whether you’re stressed about grades, doubting your major, or feeling behind, this episode is your reminder that becoming a therapist (or a functional adult) was never a straight line.

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

In this episode, Rae Jacobson, an expert on ADHD, shares her personal journey with ADHD and learning disabilities. She discusses the challenges she faced in college, the importance of finding the right educational environment, and the value of self-awareness and support systems for students with learning differences.

Keywords:

ADHD, learning disabilities, college, self-awareness, support systems

Takeaways:

• ADHD diagnosis can be life-changing.
• Finding the right college fit is crucial.
• Support systems are essential for success.
• Self-awareness helps in managing ADHD.
• Executive functioning skills are vital.
• College isn't a cure-all for learning issues.
• Peer support can be incredibly beneficial.
• Professors can be valuable resources.
• Mental health services are important.
• ADHD affects more than just academics.

Rae Jacobson, MS, is the lead of insight at Understood and host of the podcast Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson. She is a writer, ADHD expert, and former senior editor at the Child Mind Institute. Her work has appeared in New York Magazine, the Daily Beast, Rolling Stone, Parenting, American Girl, and more.

To hear more from Rae, make sure to check out her podcast Hyperfocused, brought to you by Understood.org. Both are amazing resources for college students with learning differences.

Link:

https://www.understood.org/en/podcasts/hyperfocus/welcome-to-hyperfocus-with-rae-jacobson

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

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
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Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner

College can feel overwhelming. Going to office hours is one of the simplest ways to feel connected, supported, and confident—academically and emotionally. After hearing from high school seniors and college students who regret never building relationships with professors, we brought in someone who truly understands the other side of the desk: Dr. Danielle DeNigris, Associate Professor of Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Dr. DeNigris breaks down what office hours actually are, why professors genuinely want you to come, and how these quick conversations can help you understand class material, fix study strategies, navigate confusing assignments, or—plot twist—build mentorships that matter long after the class ends.

Whether you’re a first-gen student, someone who’s always worried about “bothering” your instructor, or someone who never knows what to say in an email, this episode has concrete tips, scripts, and college hacks that make showing up feel 100× less intimidating.

Dr. DeNigris-

https://www.fdu.edu/profiles/danielle911_denigris/

UNC Office Hours Guide-

https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/using-office-hours-effectively/

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

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
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Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner

Sleep: it’s the ultimate college luxury, the missing ingredient in most all-nighters, and—according to our guest—one of the biggest players in your mental health. In this episode, we catch some wisdom (and maybe a few zzz’s) with clinical psychologist Dr. Colleen Ehrnstrom, who unpacks why college students are chronically tired, what circadian rhythms actually do, and how to tell the difference between being fatigued and being sleepy (yes, they’re different!).

We talk about everything from late-night scrolling to the myth of “catching up” on sleep, and Colleen helps us rethink what “good sleep hygiene” really means—spoiler: it’s not a one-size-fits-all checklist. She also sheds light on how substances like CBD and marijuana can mess with your REM cycles, and why flexibility (not perfection) might just be the secret to better sleep.

Whether you’re a night owl, an over-caffeinated early riser, or somewhere in between, this episode is your wake-up call to take sleep seriously—and maybe, finally, make peace with your pillow.

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

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
Tik Tok: @collegeisfinepodcast
Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner

In this episode, we chat with debut author Heather Coley about her darkly captivating campus novel The Gilded Butterfly Effect. We unpack the toxic dynamics of Greek life, the uphill battle for mental health resources in college, and how fiction can often hit closer to home than nonfiction. Heather also gets real about the writing process, social media pressures, and navigating rejection in the creative world. If you're a student—or just someone who’s been through the college grind—this one’s for you.

Book Release Date: October 21, 2025

Connect with Heather

• Insta: @heathercolleyauthor
• TikTok: @phdwithpaige

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

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
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Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner

From TikTok videos of organizing and cleaning content to everyday “I’m so OCD” comments, the term gets tossed around a lot, but what does OCD actually mean? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. John Guerry, a licensed clinical psychologist, who helps us break down the difference between personal quirks, perfectionism, and a true Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) diagnosis. He explains how intrusive thoughts and compulsions create distressing cycles, why people with OCD often suffer in silence, and how symptoms can be hidden behind “high-functioning” appearances.

In this episode we explore:

• Why intrusive thoughts are common for everyone—but stick differently for people with OCD
• How compulsions bring short-term relief but reinforce the disorder over time
• The difference between OCD and OCPD (Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder)
• Lesser-known themes beyond contamination, like morality (“scrupulosity”), harm, or “just right” OCD
• Why the college years can trigger worsening symptoms
• The role of family, peers, and environment in either accommodating or unintentionally feeding OCD
• Dr. Guerry also highlights why OCD tends to latch onto the things people value most—family, relationships, morality—and why people with OCD often have such “big hearts.”

Resources Mentioned:

• International OCD Foundation – trusted information, screeners, and a directory for finding evidence-based OCD therapists.

https://iocdf.org

About Our Guest:

Dr. John Guerry is a clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety and OCD. He practices at Harbor, a group practice in the Philadelphia area, dedicated to treating anxiety disorders, OCD, and related conditions.

https://www.harborpa.com

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

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
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Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner

In this episode we explore the therapeutic power of humor with comedian Amber Autry and therapist Melanie Reese. From using laughter to cope with stress and grief, to understanding how comedy can complement traditional therapy, this conversation highlights how joy and mental health intersect in unexpected ways.

Amber and Melanie share the origin of their podcast I’m Fine, It's Fine and how comedians often process deep emotions through humor. Melanie brings insight into how laughter impacts the nervous system, lowers stress hormones, and serves as a “reset button” for the brain. Together, they illustrate how humor can be both a coping strategy and a tool for connection.

Key Takeaways:

• Humor can be both a therapeutic tool and a form of comic relief that helps process difficult emotions.
• Comedy and laughter positively impact the nervous system, lowering stress and promoting connection.
• Therapy doesn’t have to be traditional; activities like storytelling, creative expression, or laughing with others can provide meaningful healing.
• Life’s hardest moments and funniest moments often coexist, and embracing both can be therapeutic.

Resources & Links:

• Amber Autry & Melanie Reese: I’m Fine Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/im-fine-its-fine/id1664241532

• Melanie Reese, Trauma Therapy of Nashville

https://integrativetherapynashville.com/

• Amber Autry (comedian)

https://www.amberautrycomedy.com/

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

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
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Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner

Everyone procrastinates—especially in college—but what’s really going on when you keep pushing things off? In this episode, Dr. Shannon Bennett (Weill Cornell Medicine) joins us to unpack why procrastination is so common, how it connects to emotions like anxiety, self-doubt, and perfectionism, and what you can do to get unstuck.

We cover:

• Why procrastination isn’t about laziness
• The emotional roots of putting things off (fear of failure, perfectionism, boredom, self-doubt)
• Why college is a perfect storm for procrastination (so much freedom, so many distractions)
• Simple but powerful strategies to get moving (breaking tasks into small steps, writing messy drafts, starting with “just one mark on the page”)
• How reflecting on your “why” can help you stay motivated when the work feels overwhelming

This conversation is all about normalizing procrastination (you’re not alone!) while also giving you tools to shift your mindset and habits.

Takeaways for Students

• Procrastination is usually about avoiding uncomfortable feelings—not laziness.
• Start small: sometimes just one sentence, one bullet point, or one messy draft is enough to get rolling.
• Connect your tasks to your values—remembering your “why” can turn busywork into meaningful steps toward your bigger goals.
• Pride and relief come after the work—cramming might get the grade, but it won’t give you that same long-term payoff.

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

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
Tik Tok: @collegeisfinepodcast
Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner