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8 Truths About College That Nobody Tells You

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — These 8 pieces of advice will change your college experience. In this episode, Mel is sharing the most impactful and insightful advice for all college students. Think of it as a freshman year survival guide. And if you’re a parent of a college student, this episode is one that you’re going to want to share and listen to with your kid. Mel is sharing advice on: How to handle drinking and hookup culture Why you need to stop clinging to your high school friends How to take responsibility for your own experience and manage the ups and downs of this new season of life How to navigate change and uncertainty Understanding what is happening to your body and brain during the first month of college What you really learn from college and why it’s not all about studying This episode is the cheat sheet for how to navigate college (and any major life change), so grab your pen and paper because class is in session. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: www.melrobbins.com/podcasts/episode-207 Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 0:00 Introduction 02:46 For all college students, this is the advice you need to hear. 04:35 This is what you need to know about college move-in. 06:15 What you really learn from college and why it’s not all about studying. 09:48 If you are bored in college, there isn’t anything wrong with you. 12:20 How to take responsibility for your own college experience. 16:10 What is happening to your body and brain during the first month of college. 20:05 The BIGGEST mistake you are likely making in college. 23:11 How to properly handle drinking and hookup culture in college. 28:15 We all do this, and it makes you feel like a loser. 32:36 Do this one thing every day to strengthen your friendships. 34:35 Put down the phone, and do this instead. 36:10 How to let go of loneliness and embrace doing things solo. 37:50 Wake up, this isn’t high school anymore. 42:11 For all the parents who just had a kid leave for college, listen to this. — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@UCk2U-Oqn7RXf-ydPqfSxG5g Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

Mel Robbinshost
Aug 29, 202444mWatch on YouTube ↗

Episode Details

EPISODE INFO

Released
August 29, 2024
Duration
44m
Channel
The Mel Robbins Podcast
Watch on YouTube
▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — These 8 pieces of advice will change your college experience. In this episode, Mel is sharing the most impactful and insightful advice for all college students. Think of it as a freshman year survival guide. And if you’re a parent of a college student, this episode is one that you’re going to want to share and listen to with your kid. Mel is sharing advice on: How to handle drinking and hookup culture Why you need to stop clinging to your high school friends How to take responsibility for your own experience and manage the ups and downs of this new season of life How to navigate change and uncertainty Understanding what is happening to your body and brain during the first month of college What you really learn from college and why it’s not all about studying This episode is the cheat sheet for how to navigate college (and any major life change), so grab your pen and paper because class is in session. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: www.melrobbins.com/podcasts/episode-207 Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 0:00 Introduction 02:46 For all college students, this is the advice you need to hear. 04:35 This is what you need to know about college move-in. 06:15 What you really learn from college and why it’s not all about studying. 09:48 If you are bored in college, there isn’t anything wrong with you. 12:20 How to take responsibility for your own college experience. 16:10 What is happening to your body and brain during the first month of college. 20:05 The BIGGEST mistake you are likely making in college. 23:11 How to properly handle drinking and hookup culture in college. 28:15 We all do this, and it makes you feel like a loser. 32:36 Do this one thing every day to strengthen your friendships. 34:35 Put down the phone, and do this instead. 36:10 How to let go of loneliness and embrace doing things solo. 37:50 Wake up, this isn’t high school anymore. 42:11 For all the parents who just had a kid leave for college, listen to this. — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@UCk2U-Oqn7RXf-ydPqfSxG5g Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

SPEAKERS

  • Mel Robbins

    host

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Mel Robbins, 8 Truths About College That Nobody Tells You explores eight Unspoken College Truths: Navigating Change, Freedom, and Friendship Wisely Mel Robbins reflects on dropping her son off at college and shares eight hard truths she wishes she and her daughters had known as freshmen. She reframes college as ‘life school,’ emphasizing that the biggest lessons aren’t academic but about change, self-trust, and taking ownership of your experience. The episode covers emotional turbulence, boredom, loneliness, drinking, hookup culture, and friendship dynamics, offering specific behavioral advice for each. Her core message: you’re not in the wrong place—you’re in a massive transition, and if you move your body, get out of your dorm, and advocate for yourself, college can become a chapter you truly love.

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