“I wasn’t expecting college to be like this.”

Maybe it’s change-of-major stress. Performance anxiety before exams or presentations. The pressure of athletics — when the experience isn’t what the coach promised during recruiting. Transferring fears. Roommate conflicts. Imposter syndrome. The weight of family expectations. Financial stress. Loneliness in a crowd of thousands. Not knowing if you even belong here.

No advice. No lectures. No “have you tried the counseling center?” Just someone who’s spent 38 years in education and actually listens.