In The Spotlight

In The Spotlight

By CCARE Special Research GroupHealth & FitnessMental Health
Download on the App Store

In The Spotlight episodes

  • Roommate Relationships

    Today we put roommate relationships in the spotlight! In this episode we combined our personal experiences with research on roommate relationships in college. We also gave the senior members of the podcast a chance to reflect on their college experiences in this episode. Once you're finished listening to this episode, listen to our previous episodes for more engaging conversations on our lived experiences in college! Our podcast hosts in this episode are Terryn Witherspoon, Ashley Larkins, Aaron Woolfolk, Julia Eustace, Darin Spitzer, and Nathan Brown. The research articles from this episode are listed below:


    Gaither, S. E., & Sommers, S. R. (2013). Living with an other-race roommate shapes Whites' behavior in subsequent diverse settings. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 49(2), 272-276.

    Hudson, T. D. (2018). Random roommates: Supporting our students in developing friendships across difference. About Campus, 23(3), 13-22.

    McDonald, K. L., & Asher, S. R. (2013). College students' revenge goals across friend, romantic partner, and roommate contexts: The role of interpretations and emotions. Social Development, 22(3), 499-521.


    Strother, L., Piston, S., Golberstein, E., Gollust, S. E., & Eisenberg, D. (2021). College roommates have a modest but significant influence on each other’s political ideology. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(2), e2015514117.


    Whitmore, C. B., & Dunsmore, J. C. (2014). Trust development: Testing a new model in undergraduate roommate relationships. The Journal of genetic psychology, 175(3), 233-251.

    55 min
  • Financial Health: Part 2

    Today we put financial health in the spotlight...again! In this episode we combined our personal experiences with research on financial health in college. We had a lot to discuss about this topic so we decided to split our conversation across two episodes. This episode focused on financial health in the context of our overall wellbeing. Check out our previous episode for more engaging conversation on financial health! Our podcast hosts in this episode are Terryn Witherspoon, Ashley Larkins, Aaron Woolfolk, Nathan Brown, and Julia Eustace. The research articles from this episode are listed below:

    Bianco, C. A., & Bosco, S. M. (2012). Financial (IL) literacy of college students.

    Britt, S. L., Mendiola, M. R., Schink, G. H., Tibbetts, R. H., & Jones, S. H. (2016). Financial stress, coping strategy, and academic achievement of college students. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 27(2), 172-183.

    Bemel, J. E., Brower, C., Chischillie, A., & Shepherd, J. (2016). The impact of college student financial health on other dimensions of health. American Journal of Health Promotion, 30(4), 224-230.

    Britt, S. L., Canale, A., Fernatt, F., Stutz, K., & Tibbetts, R. (2015). Financial stress and financial counseling: Helping college students. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 26(2), 172-186.

    Peltz, J. S., Bodenlos, J. S., Kingery, J. N., & Rogge, R. D. (2021). The role of financial strain in college students’ work hours, sleep, and mental health. Journal of American college health, 69(6), 577-584.

    35 min
  • Financial Health: Part 1

    Today we put financial health in the spotlight! In this episode we combined our personal experiences with research on financial health in college. We had a lot to discuss about this topic so we decided to split our conversation across two episodes. This episode we focused more on our personal perspectives of financial health. Check out our next episode for more engaging conversation on financial health! Our podcast hosts in this episode are Terryn Witherspoon, Ashley Larkins, Aaron Woolfolk, Nathan Brown, and Julia Eustace. The research articles from this episode are listed below:

    Bianco, C. A., & Bosco, S. M. (2012). Financial (IL) literacy of college students.

    Britt, S. L., Mendiola, M. R., Schink, G. H., Tibbetts, R. H., & Jones, S. H. (2016). Financial stress, coping strategy, and academic achievement of college students. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 27(2), 172-183.

    Bemel, J. E., Brower, C., Chischillie, A., & Shepherd, J. (2016). The impact of college student financial health on other dimensions of health. American Journal of Health Promotion, 30(4), 224-230.

    Britt, S. L., Canale, A., Fernatt, F., Stutz, K., & Tibbetts, R. (2015). Financial stress and financial counseling: Helping college students. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 26(2), 172-186.

    Peltz, J. S., Bodenlos, J. S., Kingery, J. N., & Rogge, R. D. (2021). The role of financial strain in college students’ work hours, sleep, and mental health. Journal of American college health, 69(6), 577-584.

    47 min
  • Confidence: Part 2

    Today we put confidence in the spotlight...again! In this episode we combined our personal experiences with research on confidence in college. We had a lot to say on this topic so we decided to split our conversation across two episodes. Check out the previous episode for more engaging conversation on confidence! Our podcast hosts in this episode are Terryn Witherspoon, Ashley Larkins, Aaron Woolfolk, Nathan Brown, and Julia Eustace. The research articles from this episode are listed below:

    Bickerstaff, S., Barragan, M., & Rucks-Ahidiana, Z. (2017). Experiences of Earned Success: Community College Students' Shifts in College Confidence. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 29(3), 501-510.

    Elisabeth A. Barnett (2011). Validation Experiences and Persistence among Community College Students, The Review of Higher Education, 34(2), 193-203.

    Pedlow, C. T., & Niemeier, H. M. (2013). Sociotropic cognition and eating disordered attitudes and behavior in young adults. Eating behaviors, 14(2), 95-101.

    Fong, C. J., & Krause, J. M. (2014). Lost confidence and potential: A mixed methods study of underachieving college students’ sources of self-efficacy. Social Psychology of Education, 17(2), 249-268.

    Kim, M. M., & Kutscher, E. L. (2021). College students with disabilities: factors influencing growth in academic ability and confidence. Research in Higher Education, 62(3), 309-331.

    Nelson Laird, T. F. (2005). College students’ experiences with diversity and their effects on academic self-confidence, social agency, and disposition toward critical thinking. Research in higher education, 46(4), 365-387.


    38 min
  • Confidence: Part 1

    Today we put confidence in the spotlight! In this episode we combined our personal experiences with research on confidence in college. We had a lot to say on this topic so we decided to split our conversation across two episodes. Once you're finished listening to this episode, listen to the next episode for more engaging conversation on confidence! Our podcast hosts in this episode are Julia Eustace, Terryn Witherspoon, Ashley Larkins, Aaron Woolfolk, and Nathan Brown. The research articles from this episode are listed below:

    Bickerstaff, S., Barragan, M., & Rucks-Ahidiana, Z. (2017). Experiences of Earned Success: Community College Students' Shifts in College Confidence. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 29(3), 501-510.

    Elisabeth A. Barnett (2011). Validation Experiences and Persistence among Community College Students, The Review of Higher Education, 34(2), 193-203.

    Pedlow, C. T., & Niemeier, H. M. (2013). Sociotropic cognition and eating disordered attitudes and behavior in young adults. Eating behaviors, 14(2), 95-101.

    Fong, C. J., & Krause, J. M. (2014). Lost confidence and potential: A mixed methods study of underachieving college students’ sources of self-efficacy. Social Psychology of Education, 17(2), 249-268.

    Kim, M. M., & Kutscher, E. L. (2021). College students with disabilities: factors influencing growth in academic ability and confidence. Research in Higher Education, 62(3), 309-331.

    Nelson Laird, T. F. (2005). College students’ experiences with diversity and their effects on academic self-confidence, social agency, and disposition toward critical thinking. Research in higher education, 46(4), 365-387.

    41 min
  • Uncertainty and Planning for the Future

    Today we put uncertainty and planning for the future in the spotlight! In this episode we combined our personal experiences with research on planning for the future in college. Once you're finished listening to this episode, listen to our previous episodes for more engaging conversations on our lived experiences in college! Our podcast hosts in this episode are Terryn Witherspoon, Ashley Larkins, Aaron Woolfolk, and Jason Teets, Darin Spitzer, and Nathan Brown. The research articles from this episode are listed below:

    Azizli, N., Atkinson, B. E., Baughman, H. M., & Giammarco, E. A. (2015). Relationships between general self-efficacy, planning for the future, and life satisfaction. Personality and Individual Differences, 82, 58-60.

    Fenning, B. E., & May, L. N. (2013). “Where there is a will, there is an A”: examining the roles of self-efficacy and self-concept in college students’ current educational attainment and career planning. Social Psychology of Education, 16(4), 635-650.

    Gray, M. A., Kim, M., Lee, S., & Wang, X. (2021). Simplifying the measurement of college students’ career planning: The development of career student planning scale during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Experimental Results, 2.

    Paralkar, U., & Knutson, D. (2021). Coping with academic stress: Ambiguity and uncertainty tolerance in college students. Journal of American College Health, 1-9.

    Vaughn, K. E., Srivatsa, N., & Graf, A. S. (2021). Effort praise improves resilience for college students with high fear of failure. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 1521025120986517.

    49 min
  • Belonging: Part 2

    Today we put belonging in the spotlight..again! In this episode we combined our personal experiences with research on belonging in college. If you missed our last episode go back and listen for more engaging conversation on belonging! Our podcast hosts in this episode are Terryn Witherspoon, Ashley Larkins, Aaron Woolfolk, and Jason Teets, Darin Spitzer, and Nathan Brown. The research articles from this episode are listed below:

    Korpershoek, H., Canrinus, E. T., Fokkens-Bruinsma, M., & de Boer, H. (2020). The relationships between school belonging and students’ motivational, social-emotional, behavioural, and academic outcomes in secondary education: A meta-analytic review. Research Papers in Education, 35(6), 641-680.

    Museus, Samuel D., et al. “How Culturally Engaging Campus Environments Influence Sense of Belonging in College: An Examination of Differences between White Students and Students of Color.” Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, vol. 11, no. 4, 2018, pp. 467–483., https://doi.org/10.1037/dhe0000069.

    Suri, S., Garg, S., & Tholia, G. (2019). Attachment style, perceived social support and loneliness among college students. International Journal of Innovative Studies in Sociology and Humanities, 4(5).

    Moeller, R. W., Seehuus, M., & Peisch, V. (2020). Emotional intelligence, belongingness, and mental health in college students. Frontiers in Psychology, 93.

    Anistranski, J. A., & Brown, B. B. (2021). A Little Help From Their Friends? How Social Factors Relate to Students' Sense of Belonging at a Large Public University. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 1521025120985107.

    Whitton, S. W., Weitbrecht, E. M., Kuryluk, A. D., & Bruner, M. R. (2013). Committed dating relationships and mental health among college students. Journal of American college health, 61(3), 176-183.

    42 min
  • Belonging: Part 1

    Today we put belonging in the spotlight! In this episode we combined our personal experiences with research on belonging in college. Once you're finished listening to this episode, listen to the next episode for more engaging conversation on belonging! Our podcast hosts in this episode are Terryn Witherspoon, Ashley Larkins, Aaron Woolfolk, and Jason Teets, Darin Spitzer, and Nathan Brown. The research articles from this episode are listed below:


    Korpershoek, H., Canrinus, E. T., Fokkens-Bruinsma, M., & de Boer, H. (2020). The relationships between school belonging and students’ motivational, social-emotional, behavioural, and academic outcomes in secondary education: A meta-analytic review. Research Papers in Education, 35(6), 641-680.

    Museus, Samuel D., et al. “How Culturally Engaging Campus Environments Influence Sense of Belonging in College: An Examination of Differences between White Students and Students of Color.” Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, vol. 11, no. 4, 2018, pp. 467–483., https://doi.org/10.1037/dhe0000069.

    Suri, S., Garg, S., & Tholia, G. (2019). Attachment style, perceived social support and loneliness among college students. International Journal of Innovative Studies in Sociology and Humanities, 4(5).

    Moeller, R. W., Seehuus, M., & Peisch, V. (2020). Emotional intelligence, belongingness, and mental health in college students. Frontiers in Psychology, 93.

    Anistranski, J. A., & Brown, B. B. (2021). A Little Help From Their Friends? How Social Factors Relate to Students' Sense of Belonging at a Large Public University. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 1521025120985107.

    Whitton, S. W., Weitbrecht, E. M., Kuryluk, A. D., & Bruner, M. R. (2013). Committed dating relationships and mental health among college students. Journal of American college health, 61(3), 176-183.

    38 min
  • Time Management

    Today we put time management in the spotlight! In this episode we combined our personal experiences with research on time management, college classes, and motivation. Our podcast hosts in this episode are Terryn Witherspoon, Ashley Larkins, Aaron Woolfolk, and Jason Teets. The research articles from this episode are listed below: 

    Lekich, N., (2006). The Relationship Between Academic Motivation, Self-esteem, and academic procrastination in college students.

    Chen, H., Yarnal, C., Hustad, J., Sims, D., (2016). Take A Selfie of Life: A Qualitative Exploration of College Students' Self-Reflections on Free Time Use and Personal Values.

    Logan, J., Hughes, T., & Logan, B. (2016). Overworked? an observation of the relationship between student employment and Academic Performance.

    Baghurst, T., & Kelley, B. C. (2014). An Examination of Stress in College Students Over the Course of a Semester. Health Promotion Practice, 15(3), 438–447. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839913510316

    Thibodeaux, J., Deutsch, A.,Kitsantas, A., Winsler A. (2017)  First-Year College Students' Time Use: Self-Regulation and GPA.

    49 min
  • In The Spotlight: Social Media

    Today we put social media in the spotlight! We discussed our personal experiences with social media as college students, and we discussed the recent research on social media. Our podcast hosts in this episode are Terryn Witherspoon, Ashley Larkins, Aaron Woolfolk, and Jason Teets. The research articles from this episode are listed below: 

    Groth, G. G., Longo, L. M., & Martin, J. L. (2017). Social media and college student risk behaviors: A mini-review. Addictive Behaviors, 65, 87-91. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.10.003 

    Baker, N., Ferszt, G., & Breines, J. G. (2019). A qualitative study exploring female college students' instagram use and body image. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 22(4), 277-282. doi:10.1089/cyber.2018.0420 

    Kim, Y., Wang, Y., & Oh, J. (2016). Digital media use and Social Engagement: How social media and smartphone use influence social activities of college students. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 19(4), 264–269. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2015.0408 

    Sternberg, N., Luria, R., Chandhok, S., Vickers, B., Kross, E., & Sheppes, G. (2020). When facebook and finals collide - procrastinatory social media usage predicts enhanced anxiety☆. Computers in Human Behavior, 109, 106358. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106358 

    Primack, B., Shensa, A., Sidani, J., et al. (2017). Social Media Use and Percieved Social Isolation Among Young Adults in the U.S. American Journal of Preventative Medicine 2017;53(1):1-8.

    44 min

About In The Spotlight

From the publisher's feed

This is In The Spotlight where we shine the light on college students, our lived experiences, and the research to help us thrive. This is a podcast made for college students by college students. We’re coming to you from the Clemson University Honors college as a part of CCARE, a special research group in the Creative Inquiry program.