Advertise on podcast: My First Year in College

What surprised you most about college life?What was your favorite freshman-year memory?What's one piece of advice you'd give incoming college students?Watch our bonus rapid-fire Q&A with My First Year in College guest Lily Janjigian, an MIT graduate and former collegiate runner, as she shares fun memories, personal reflections, and lessons learned from her college experience! To discover more about Lily's journey navigating academic pressure, competitive running, unexpected challenges, and finding herself beyond athletics, catch our full conversation on MY FIRST YEAR IN COLLEGE. ❤️ Subscribe for more conversations about life's biggest transitions.  Learn more: https://sophiamedia.co/MyFirstYear

Today, we’re joined by Lily, a 2024 graduate of MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology.) Lily’s interest in math began as early as kindergarten, but as a teenager, she lacked the confidence to believe she could get into a great college. (“ I really struggled with my self-image in high school. I was convinced that I wasn't good enough in pretty much everything I did.”) As Lily’s college search began, running cross country became a priority, and she began setting running goals for herself and reaching out to coaches before she was recruited to MIT’s team.  Lily struggled with body image her first year, but after a major running injury put her in crutches, she began learning about who she is and what she values outside of her identity as a runner. Be sure to check out other episodes in the My First Year series, wherever you get your podcasts. ❤️ Subscribe for more conversations about life's biggest transitions.  Learn more: https://sophiamedia.co/MyFirstYear

In today’s episode, co-hosts Sophia and Rosabelle speak with Theo, a 2026 University of Vermont graduate. Theo recounts his college application process, being waitlisted at Columbia, and unexpectedly choosing UVM, where he majored in Political Science and Philosophy. Theo talks about the classes that influenced him most in college, including a political theory course that shaped how he interpreted political conflict and approached disagreement. He opens up about maturing intellectually and emotionally, his political and community engagement, deleting social media while in college and developing emotional honesty, communication skills, and maturity through a long-term relationship.  ❤️ Subscribe for more conversations about life's biggest transitions.  Learn more: https://sophiamedia.co/MyFirstYear

In today’s episode, we speak with Aaron, a sophomore at the University of Florida. Born in Lima, Peru and raised in Miami, Aaron describes growing up in a largely Hispanic community, learning English quickly after moving to the U.S. with his mother, and enduring intense academic pressure that led to burnout and heated conflicts about leaving home. Unable to afford out-of-state options and facing guilt tied to his mom’s sacrifices, he chose UF and found freedom to be himself and build an LGBTQ friend circle. He describes balancing classes, internships, and a job at Starbucks, while pursuing public relations and journalism, and shares advice about exploring college while staying true to yourself. Be sure to check out other episodes in the My First Year series, wherever you get your podcasts. ❤️ Subscribe for more conversations about life's biggest transitions.  Learn more: https://sophiamedia.co/MyFirstYear

In Episode 3 of My First Year in College, Sophia and Rosabelle sit down with Shreya, a University of Georgia student, writer, poet, and founder of the autism advocacy nonprofit Color Me Blue. Shreya reflects on leaving behind the familiarity of home, adjusting to college as an introvert, and finding a group of friends who made her feel truly seen. She shares how poetry helped her process the transition, why she decided it was okay to “care too much,” and how stepping outside her comfort zone opened doors she never expected.   From choosing UGA over her dream of New York City to navigating homesickness, friendship, ambition, and what she calls “future nostalgia,” Shreya’s story is about learning that you don’t need to have your whole future figured out to embrace where you are right now. You can check out Shreya’s Substack: https://substack.com/@shreyasophie And her latest poetry book on Amazon 📚https://www.amazon.com/Stars-Puddles-Clouds-My-Eyes/dp/B0FPXRQJLK?ref_=ast_author_mpb And follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shreyasophie/  ❤️ Subscribe for more conversations about life's biggest transitions.  Learn more: https://sophiamedia.co/MyFirstYear

In today’s episode, co-hosts Sophia and Rosabelle speak with Kayla, a 2026 graduate of Cooper Union School of Engineering in New York City. Kayla describes growing up in a competitive, tight-knit town with strict parents, a childhood centered on swimming and academics, and early pressure—starting in kindergarten—to get good grades and attend a top college. At Cooper Union in Manhattan, she experienced the intensity of engineering coursework, the lack of privacy in a tiny campus, shifting friendships, and the need for boundaries. Kayla reflects on gaining confidence in herself and her abilities in a male--dominated environment and using her voice to stand up for others on campus. Plus, what she wishes she knew going into college, and how her first year helped shape her confidence and the values she carries into her life today.  Be sure to check out other episodes in the My First Year series, wherever you get your podcasts. ❤️ Subscribe for more conversations about life's biggest transitions.  Learn more: https://sophiamedia.co/MyFirstYear

In today’s episode, co-hosts Sophia and Rosabelle speak with Dagny, a Los Angeles–based singer-songwriter and NYU Gallatin graduate who created her own college major (“Language Curation and Ethics”). Dagny recounts growing up homeschooled in Connecticut, adjusting to public high school, and graduating in 2020 as COVID ended senior milestones. She chose NYU largely for the excitement of New York during the pandemic and moved into Brittany Hall as an athlete with online classes. Early freshman year she felt isolated, explored her sexuality through a crush on a teammate that ended painfully, and fell into depression, using journaling, songwriting, running, friends, family to cope. A supportive friend group and an influential professor helped her regain confidence, confront imposter syndrome, and reflect on slowing down, self-acceptance, and pursuing music and a grounded life. Be sure to check out other episodes in the My First Year series, wherever you get your podcasts. ❤️ Subscribe for more conversations about life's biggest transitions.  Learn more: https://sophiamedia.co/MyFirstYear

How is Gen Z really experiencing college? In Season 1 of My First Year in College, hosts Sophia and Rosabelle talk with college students and recent grads about the dreams and expectations they arrived with-and the anxiety, loneliness, joy, discoveries and triumphs they encountered along the way.  Going beyond the polished version of college life we see on social media, My First Year in College explores the emotional and intellectual lives of young people as they navigate a defining year of change. ❤️ Subscribe for more conversations about life's biggest transitions.  Learn more: https://sophiamedia.co/MyFirstYear