My First Year in College Sun, 06 Sep 2026 10:00:21 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2626294 en-us © 2026 Sophia Media LLC yes 6d786aee-9f15-54e7-90c5-06bcf75231a6 SOPHIA MEDIA episodic false My First Year in College is an interview-focused podcast where students and recent grads delve into their first year of college. The first year is where plans unfold differently than expected, where challenges meet unexpected possibilities, and where young people begin to figure out who they really are. 


These conversations explore the pivotal moments and relationships that shape this transitional time. What emerges is a raw, unfiltered portrait of the college experience – the self-discovery and loneliness, the breakthroughs and struggles, and the quiet courage that defines this formative year.


Creator, Executive Producer and Host: Sophia

Co-hosts: Rosabelle Heine, Shareen Anderson

Senior Producer: Rosabelle Heine

Creative Director: Shareen Anderson 

Theme Music: Nana Simopoulos



]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) college, real stories, life, love, education, growth, heartbreak, mental health, relationships, school, classes, career SOPHIA MEDIA https://storage.buzzsprout.com/ok9xm9fwpexnifjvswmdcznzpdp9?.jpg My First Year in College https://www.buzzsprout.com/2626294 Shreya Sophie - University of Georgia Shreya Sophie - University of Georgia 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 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

]]> https://sophiamedia.co/myfirstyear/ SOPHIA MEDIA Buzzsprout-19717152 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 03:00:00 -0400 2563 College, College Life, Freshman Year, Student Stories, Higher Education, Personal Growth, Mental Health, Self Discovery 1 3 full false Kayla - Cooper Union Kayla - Cooper Union 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 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

]]> https://sophiamedia.co/myfirstyear/ SOPHIA MEDIA Buzzsprout-19499127 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 06:00:00 -0400 3899 My First Year, My First Year in College, Sophia Media, College Podcast, Student Stories, College Life, Freshman Year, Higher Education, Storytelling, Personal Growth 1 2 full false Dagny - NYU Dagny - NYU 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

]]> 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

]]> https://sophiamedia.co/myfirstyear/ SOPHIA MEDIA Buzzsprout-19437288 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 06:00:00 -0400 3429 My First Year, My First Year in College Sophia Media, College Podcast, Student Stories, College Life, Freshman Year, Higher Education, Storytelling, Personal Growth 1 1 full false Season 1 Official Trailer Season 1 Official Trailer 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

]]> 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

]]> https://sophiamedia.co/myfirstyear/ SOPHIA MEDIA Buzzsprout-19601450 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 18:00:00 -0400 160 College, College Life, Freshman Year, Student Stories, Higher Education, Personal Growth, Mental Health, Self Discovery 1 trailer false