Up until college, a lot of our problems are solved for us.  Whether its the high school teacher who notices you are falling behind pulling you aside after class to offer help, or your parents cleaning your room for you when you're feeling overwhelmed. College is the first time our independent problem solving skills are put to the test.  Unfortunately, many students skip the problem-solving part and go straight to panic mode. If you are feeling overwhelmed and having a hard time approaching problems on campus, this microdose episode is your guide to trying to get your college life together.  In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Lindsay Tulchin, a Cognitive Behavioral therapist in NYC, who lays out the steps to tackle a problem effectively.  Dr. Tulchin walks us through a 5-step guide to problem solving.  

DEFINE THE PROBLEM

• Get specific and focus on one problem at a time

GENERATE SOLUTIONS

• List all solutions you can think of without judgment
• Start with "bad" solutions
• Include solutions you've already tried

ASSESS PROS & CONS

• Short or long term?
• Is this realistic? What are potential obstacles?
• How difficult will it be to implement?
• How likely is it to work?
• How might it affect others?

PICK & PLAN 

• When? At a specific time or in response to something?
• How do you need to prepare? 
• How will you remember?

EVALUATE

• Did it work?
• If not, why not and how can you tweak it?
• Or try another option

Dr. Tulchin's Private Practice:

https://www.lindsaytulchin.com/

Dr. Tulchin's Group Private Practice:

https://www.nycognitive.com/about-lindsay-tulchin

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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Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner