Getting into a top school doesn’t guarantee an easy college experience—and this episode tells the full truth.

In this conversation, Amour sits down with Rüben Stephen, a first-generation student at MIT studying mechanical engineering and computer science, to talk honestly about the highs, lows, and in-between moments of college life. From moments of excitement and pride to academic pressure, isolation, and family responsibility, Rüb shares what it’s really like navigating a prestigious institution while carrying personal, emotional, and financial realities that don’t pause for coursework.

Rüb reflects on the misconception that elite schools solve personal struggles, the ongoing impact of family dynamics and inherited trauma, and why building intentional support systems—community, mentorship, faith, and mental health resources—matters at every stage of college, not just during the hard years.

This episode is for students who love parts of college, struggle through others, and are learning in real time that success isn’t just about where you go—but who supports you while you’re there.