College doesn’t come with a handbook especially for first-gen, non-traditional, & commuter students juggling more than just classes. In this episode of Hot Mess Help Desk, we talk with Dr. Zachary Pilot about navigating college without cheat codes and figuring things out in real time. From balancing family responsibilities to decoding campus terminology, we explore why feeling behind doesn’t mean you are and how connection, self-compassion, and actually using your resources can change everything. If you’re freestyling your way through higher ed, this one’s for you.

Takeaway: You’re not lost, you’re learning. And asking for help is part of doing it right.

https://youtu.be/au7XWPrVr4g?si=fffrHGl6tIh60A3R

This week, we chat with Kevin Corbin from Public Safety about what campus safety really means — no scare tactics (maybe), no judgment, just practical ways to feel more secure day-to-day. We bust common myths, share easy habits that make a big difference, and highlight when (and why!) it’s totally okay to call Public Safety for support.

Takeaway: Staying safe isn’t about perfection — it’s about small, confident choices that help you move through campus with trust and ease.

Download the RAVE guardian app today!

This week, the Hot Mess Help Desk brings in a special guest — Jeff Chestnut, our campus Fitness Center Director — to talk about movement as a tool for mental health. We break down gym myths and talk about starting small. Whether you love the gym, fear the gym, or avoid the gym at all costs, this episode gives you practical, shame-free ways to reconnect with your body.

Takeaway: Movement isn’t about doing more — it’s about feeling grounded, regulated, and cared for.

Hot Mess Help Desk is back for Season 2. College stress, mental health, fitness, safety, careers, and everything in between—we’ve got something for everybody. With a guest every episode, two counselor hosts break down the chaos, bust myths, and normalize the spiral with humor, honesty, and real coping skills. New episodes every other week. Same mess, better tools.

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Happy Coping

In this season finale of Hot Mess Help Desk, your campus counselors look back at the biggest themes of the semester — what worked, what didn’t, and what we’re all still figuring out. They’ll unpack lessons on balance, boundaries, burnout, and why “doing your best” sometimes just means showing up in sweatpants.

Whether you crushed it, crawled through it, or landed somewhere in the middle, this episode is your reminder that surviving is thriving, and every messy moment still counts as progress.

Takeaway: You made it through. Celebrate the wins, learn from the chaos, and remember — growth doesn’t have to look perfect to be real.

Reaching out for help doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you’re human. In this episode, Mya and Lainie unpack how to recognize when it’s time to get support, what counseling actually looks like (and what it isn’t), and why you don’t need to wait for a crisis to start building your team. They break down how support can show up in friends, professors, and campus counselors—and how having a plan before things get tough makes all the difference.

Takeaway: You don’t have to do college alone. Asking for help is one of the strongest things you can do.

In this chaotic-comfy episode of Hot Mess Help Desk, Lainie and Mya actually do chores with you — using behavioral activation, questionable motivation, and lots of laughter to get something (anything!) done.

We talk emotionally fragile socks, the warning signs that your mess has gained sentience, and our best–worst chores… all while cheering you through whatever tiny task you tackle.

Fold one shirt, rinse one mug, or just lie on the floor and vibe — it all counts. Let’s fake it till we fold it, together.

Feeling overwhelmed, numb, or totally over it? Mya guides you through a gentle gratitude reset - no journaling required. From small comforts to tiny victories, this episode helps you reconnect to with your own strength, even on the messiest days.

Takeaway: Gratitude doesn't fix everything - it simply reminds you that not everything is falling apart. You're doing better than you think.

Identity, belonging, and imposter syndrome — oh my. This episode dives into the messy process of figuring out who you are in college (and realizing it’s okay if the answer changes). Mya and Lainie discuss identity, finding your people, and building confidence when you feel like you don’t fit in.

Takeaway: You don’t have to have it all figured out — belonging starts with being kind to yourself.

When your brain won't stop spiraling and your to-do list feels never-ending, Mya guides you through a gentle mindfulness practice designed to quiet the chaos. Together, you'll ground in the present moment, notice your thoughts without judgment, and remind yourself that calm isn't a destination - it's a practice.

Takeaway: Anxiety doesn't mean something's wrong with you, it means you care.