What College REALLY Taught Me

In this episode of What College Really Taught Me (That Wasn’t in the Syllabus), host Naomi Totman sits down with student guest Ava Skelton to unpack the unexpected lessons that come with college life. From realizing that friendships take intentional effort to maintain, to learning the hard way how isolation can impact mental health, Skelton shares an honest reflection on growth beyond the classroom. The conversation dives into what it really means to fail socially—and how that failure can become a powerful turning point. Skelton opens up about navigating independence, handling disappointment, and the moment they truly felt on their own. They also discuss the financial realities of college, especially while caring for an emotional support animal, and how responsibility can reshape priorities. This episode is a candid look at resilience, self-discovery, and the quiet lessons that shape who we become, lessons no syllabus could ever fully capture.

College teaches you a lot—but not always what’s on the syllabus. In this episode of What College Really Taught Me That Wasn’t in the Syllabus, Naomi Totman sits down for a candid conversation about the unexpected lessons that come with growing up on your own. From navigating friendships and learning to communicate honestly, to handling failure, disappointment, and financial reality, this episode unpacks the moments that shape you outside the classroom. The conversation also explores independence, faith, identity, and the surprising realization that no one really has life figured out, even as adults. With stories about transferring schools, stepping away from college athletics, and redefining personal values, this episode offers an honest look at what it means to grow, set boundaries, and figure things out as you go.

From choosing a major for financial aid reasons to navigating group projects, procrastination, and the pressure of independence, Karis shares the lessons that don’t show up in any course catalog. She opens up about learning to let go of friendships, managing disappointment after years of academic praise, and realizing that everyone moves through life at their own pace. The conversation dives into the surprising challenges of college, like teaching yourself in online classes, dealing with overwhelming workloads at the last minute, and even the everyday struggles of parking and navigating campus. Along the way, Karis reflects on how classes like psychology reshaped her perspective, helping her better understand others and think more deeply about the world around her.

In this episode of What College Really Taught Me (That Wasn’t in the Syllabus), host Naomi sits down with Diego, a mathematics and computer science student at Clemson University, to unpack the unexpected lessons that come with college life. From redefining friendship and learning how to truly connect with others, to facing failure, financial realities, and the weight of personal responsibility, Diego shares an honest look at what growing up actually feels like. This conversation dives into the shift from surface-level friendships to meaningful relationships, the wake-up calls that come with independence, and the discipline it takes to recover from setbacks. Diego also reflects on the pressures of managing money, the reality of missed opportunities, and the moment college humbles you into realizing you have to create your own path. Raw, relatable, and reflective, this episode is a reminder that some of the most important lessons in college aren’t taught in a classroom; they’re lived.

*This podcast has brief mentions of suicide Sarah Wimberley is a sophomore at the University of South Carolina, majoring in Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Psychology, while also pursuing an accelerated bachelor ’s-to-master’s program and a minor in International Studies. But her journey to college wasn’t something she ever took for granted—in fact, she wasn’t always sure she would make it there at all. In this episode, Sarah shares a deeply honest perspective on what it means to arrive at college after uncertainty, and how that experience shaped the way she approaches life, friendships, and personal growth. She reflects on the unexpected realities of college, from navigating independence at a young age to learning how to manage burnout, finances, and the pressure of doing “everything” all at once. She speaks candidly about failure, burnout, and mental health, emphasizing that it’s okay to fall behind, miss an assignment, or feel overwhelmed, as long as you keep going. Through her experiences, she highlights the importance of self-awareness, setting boundaries, and finding systems that help you stay grounded, like her “Sunday reset” routine. This episode is a powerful reminder that college isn’t just about academics—it’s about survival, growth, and learning how to take care of yourself in an entirely new environment. Sarah’s story captures the balance between pushing forward and knowing when to pause, offering a relatable and reassuring perspective for anyone navigating the challenges of college life.

Braelyn Lemere is a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, majoring in Animal Science and deeply involved in band and colorguard. As she prepares to graduate, she reflects on a college experience that didn’t unfold the way she originally planned—but ultimately taught her far more than she expected. In this episode, Braelyn opens up about changing her career path after realizing that veterinary school and the financial burden that comes with it, wasn’t the right fit for her. She shares what it felt like to enter college with a clear plan, only to pivot and redefine her future along the way. Our conversation also dives into one of the most unexpected challenges of college: friendships. From starting over socially to navigating difficult and sometimes toxic relationships, Braelyn talks honestly about the lessons she learned—like recognizing that not everyone who is kind is truly a good friend, and that meaningful friendships require humility, selflessness, and accountability. This episode is a raw and thoughtful look at the reality checks that come with college—the ones that aren’t listed in any syllabus. It’s about redefining success, building deeper connections, and learning how to grow through discomfort, failure, and change.