Did last semester not go the way you hoped? You’re not broken—and you’re definitely not alone.

In this episode of College Is Fine, Everything’s Fine, we’re joined by college professor and executive-functioning expert Krisler Bailey to talk about how to actually bounce back after a tough semester. We cover why motivation fades (and what works instead), how unstructured time quietly wrecks your schedule, and why rereading notes and highlighting everything isn’t studying.

This conversation is equal parts validating and practical. Whether you struggled academically, socially, or just felt overwhelmed, this episode will help you build a realistic reset plan—without perfectionism, shame, or all-or-nothing thinking.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why everyone struggles in college (just in different ways)
• Why discipline beats motivation every time
• How unstructured time derails students—and how to fix it
• Time-blocking your day so you still have a life
• Why your phne feels like an emotional support device (and what to do about it)
• How to reduce distractions without going cold turkey
• What actually works for studying (hint: not rereading notes)
• How community—friends, classmates, professors—makes bouncing back possible

Takeaway:
 Last semester doesn’t define you. College is a skill set—and skills can be learned.

🎧 Listen now and start your reset.

Krisler Bailey is a college professor, college success coach, and functional medicine certified health coach. With over 20 years of experience supporting students through the transition to college and adulthood, Krisler helps students and families navigate the hidden curriculum of college while building routines that support both academic success and well-being. 

You can read more about Krisler and her coaching services here: https://coachingwithkrisler.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

03:04 Understanding Student Struggles

05:45 The Role of New Year's Resolutions

08:58 Building a Supportive Community

12:00 Strategies for Academic Success

15:59 Time Management and Study Skills

23:57 Engaging with Course Material

29:00 Conclusion and Resources

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