Major Insight

There is no roadmap for college. Because nobody starts out knowing exactly what to do. So on this next special summer episode, we’ll hear from students who share what they wished they’d known sooner. Hear about all the small life lessons that made a big difference, and about the honest truths and challenges that helped them grow along the way.

On this special summer episode, we dive into the real and raw emotions of college life as students share their anxieties about coming to campus. From the pressures to succeed, to the fears of not fitting in, hear honest, funny, and totally relatable tales about how students pushed through their fear to grow into the version of themselves they are today.

Graduation season is here! In this heartfelt episode, Maggie and Lauren reflect on their entire transformative college experiences. From their uncertainty as first-year students to the personal growth that happened along the way, they reflect on shifting goals, meaningful relationships, the pressures of post-grad life, and more. It’s a candid celebration of the resilience, change, and self-discovery that can only happen in college.

College can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to mental health. In this episode, we talk about dealing with depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), doom scrolling, the problem of appearing "perfect" online, and the pressure to keep it all together. Special guests and Social Work majors Arianna Nooks and Andie Karrenbauer share personal stories and helpful advice during a conversation about breaking the stigma around mental health. Additional Resources: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988. Or visit: www.988lifeline.org Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free 24/7 crisis counseling. Or visit: www.crisistextline.org Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. Visit: www.ohiospf.org Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services: Visit www.mha.ohio.gov Butler County Crisis Line: Call 1-844-427-4747 Miami University Student Counseling Service. Or call 513-529-4634 Mental Health First Aid Certification: Visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org

Hear how a global pandemic sparked an interest in the supply chain for Brian Zetzer, who has also learned how to pivot, persist, and grow through every college challenge. We’ll also talk about landing internships, dealing with opportunities that can vanish unexpectedly, and about the exciting prospects that still await just around the next corner. Featured Majors:  Supply Chain Operations Management, Information Systems, Cybersecurity

Debra Olabode is ready to face the future with the confidence and independence that only college can bring. Hear about the power of stepping outside your comfort zone, forming meaningful connections, and becoming who you’re truly meant to be. We’ll also talk about the life-changing experiences of studying abroad, and the bittersweetness of graduating as “the memories you get with college are one of a kind.” Featured Majors: Social Work, International Studies, Spanish

Kaylin Knapp’s college journey has taught her to embrace the challenges of balancing school work and a social life, while also working fulltime. We'll also talk about how building connections leads to confidence, and about navigating the inevitable ups and downs of college by embracing each semester as it comes. Featured Majors: Supply Chain and Operations Management

Awaken to the wonderful world around you with the Audubon Society! On this episode, we shift from the hustle of academics to the serenity of birdwatching. Join us as we pause and connect with the natural world in a way that’s often overshadowed by the hecticness of daily life.

Dive into the unpredictable journey of career ambitions and personal growth with Cyle Ginsberg - an exceptional student who understands that college isn’t just about academics, but also about discovering who you truly are. We’ll also talk about how the journey through college is just as important as the destination, and about all the relationships you’ll build along the way.   Featured Majors: International Studies, Economics, Philosophy, Law, Arabic, and Middle Eastern Studies

We continue to explore the social sides of college by visiting Miami University’s Equestrian Center. Hear about a peaceful place on campus where horses help students find solace and serenity.

Recent college graduate VaLanDria Smith-Lash '23 is now the CEO and founder of Coarse Culture, a personal skin care brand that was launched during her junior year. We’ll talk about what happens when college plans change, about what it takes to create a student-run startup, and about why it’s vital for all students to explore interests beyond school. Success is often shaped by unexpected opportunities. So embrace change and trust the process.  For more info, visit: shopcoarseculture.com, or follow VaLanDria on Instagram @valandriaa Featured Majors: Speech Pathology & Audiology, Dance

Never underestimate the power of an email. That’s how Audrey Allen started her journey as an awarding-wining undergraduate researcher, who uses her passion for the environment and sustainability to make this world a better place. We’ll also talk about the importance of self-discovery in college, and about the dreaded imposter syndrome. Hear how common it really is, how to overcome self-doubt with self-compassion, and about all the confidence you’ll gain in college. Featured Majors: Environmental Earth Science, Sustainability, Entrepreneurship   Featured Organizations: American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG)

College comes alive in this new short-form documentary series that explores the social side of campus life. Hear short stories about the orgs and activities that lead to self-discovery and community connection. In this episode, we go inside Meeples, the tabletop gaming club where students bond over board games.

Lauren Kelley always wanted to become a storyteller to uplift the voices of others, and along the way she found an inspiring voice of her own. Her interests in media, political science, and technology have also unlocked amazing opportunities that have led to new levels of self-esteem and confidence. We’ll also talk about realizing when you’ve taken on way too much in college, and how to adjust and recalibrate along the way. Featured Majors: Strategic Communication, Individualized Studies, Political Science, Film Studies

A love of art and teaching have inspired Isa Obradovich to share her passions with others. As a successful artist and aspiring educator, her work is displayed across university halls, in local art centers, and in the Boomer Gallery of London. Isa has also received attention and acclaim across social media, where her massive following continues to expand. We’ll also talk about the joy of building a community in college, the transformative impact college can have on your confidence, and about making art education more accessible to everyone. Featured Majors: Art Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certification

Succeeding in college can sometimes be a but balancing act. But Rachel Banitt has found insightful and relatable ways to balance a thriving academic and social life, while also leading the largest student organization on campus. We’ll also talk about overcoming the fears of making new friends, about finding a supportive campus community, and about keeping the courage to push yourself to new heights.   Featured Majors: Finance, Accounting

Even when the path ahead may seem long and daunting, with hard work, success is always possible. This is one of the most important lessons that Charles Ellis ’25 has learned in college so far. We’ll also talk about the importance of gaining firsthand experience in college, how it’s okay to take time to find your path, and why the fear of feeling behind is just an illusion. Featured Majors: Biomedical Engineering, Premedical Studies

It’s the start of a new adventure on Major Insight as we welcome Maggie Snee to the podcast as our new host. Maggie is an award-winning student researcher whose love of animals and science has inspired her to study Zoology and Geography. We'll also talk about overcoming the pressure to be extraordinary, how friends and “found-family” can make all the difference in college, and about how everything has a way of working itself out. Featured Majors: Zoology, Geography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

From a first-generation undergraduate all the way to becoming the President of Miami University, Greg Crawford has seen how the entire college experience can unfold. On this special episode, President Crawford talks about what makes college so special including all the doors it can open, all the unimaginable ways to get involved, and about how it can provide the skills and experiences that will last a lifetime.     Featured Majors: Physics, Mathematics

Part two of our special summer series will help you navigate all the ups and downs of college life with more advice and inspiration from successful students who have already been through it all.