If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling TikTok at 1 a.m. instead of starting that paper, welcome to the club—you’re human. Procrastination is practically a rite of passage in college. But here’s the thing: it’s not about laziness, and it’s not because you’re “bad” at school.

College isn’t just about classes—it’s about relationships. From roommates and professors to friends and family, how we show up in conversations can make or break those connections.

That’s where the DBT skill GIVE comes in:

• G – Be Gentle

• I – Act Interested

• V – Validate

• E – Easy Manner

The goal? To strengthen and maintain relationships, even in stressful moments. GIVE reminds us to balance respect for others with staying authentic to ourselves. Paired with its twin skill, FAST, students (and professionals) can build relationships that are both caring and boundaried.

College throws you into constant situations where you need to speak up—whether it’s asking a professor for help, setting boundaries with a roommate, or negotiating group project roles. That can feel intimidating, but DBT’s DEAR MAN skill gives you a simple roadmap for having tough conversations without being passive or aggressive. By learning to describe the situation, express how you feel, assert what you need, reinforce the positives, and then stay mindful, confident, and willing to negotiate, you can get your point across and keep your relationships strong.

College is full of surprises. You probably pictured endless fun, amazing friendships, and exciting freedom. And while those moments definitely happen, college also brings lonely nights, tough choices, and way more responsibility than you expected.

Here's the thing: having clear values makes all the difference.

College life often feels like a tug-of-war between what we want to do and what we actually do.  In this episode, we learn about the “Act with Purpose” skill. We discuss how to identify your internal GPS, navigating where your values and goals intersect, and learning how to tell if you are on-track or veering off-ramp.

The people you build connections with in college can be the difference between just surviving college and truly thriving.