In this rebooted episode, we sit down with college students Patrick (Villanova), Ali (University of Richmond), and Paul (Providence College) to talk about the reality of transitioning into college life. Together, we unpack the gap between expectations and reality—covering everything from forming friendships to handling loneliness, navigating independence, and balancing academic and personal pressures.

We also introduce the R.E.A.C.H. toolkit, which holds the key skills students need to survive and thrive in college:

• Realizing Your Values
• Elevating Mental Fitness
• Acting with Purpose
• Creating Healthy Relationships
• Handling Hard Things Wisely

This part one episode focuses on values—how they guide decisions, how they shift in college, and how you can use them to feel grounded through change.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why it's normal for college to be different from your expectations
• The difference between values and “shoulds”
• How values can shift and grow during the college years
• Practical examples of staying true to values—even when it’s hard

Want to do a values check-in? Check out our resources page, where you can find the "What's Your Why?" tip sheet and other R.E.A.C.H. resources. 

https://www.collegeisfinepodcast.com/worksheets

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: [email protected]

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner