Anonymous Intern Blogs
True stories from college students about anxiety, loneliness, therapy, drugs, and friendship, written so the next student feels less alone.
Showing 7 stories about failure. Show every story
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Expectations vs. Reality: The Side of College I Didn’t Know About
When I was accepted into Brown University, I thought all of my problems would be solved. But as I stood on the campus of my dream school shortly...
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Coping with OCD and Anxiety
I was already dealing with unwanted thoughts about self-harm and compulsions. Failing this quiz made me spin out of control.
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Transforming Rejection into Strength
The rejections, waitlists, and deferrals put me back in the shoes of the little girl who felt like every argument between her parents resulted from her failure to...
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Embracing Challenges as Part of Your Journey Toward Success
We all face challenges in life, and for me, high school was a particularly difficult period. However, I refused to let my setbacks define me or hinder my...
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A Lesson in Happiness Through the Acceptance of Failure
Failing organic chemistry shattered my academic aspirations, but it taught me the importance of accepting failure and reevaluating my priorities. By embracing failure as a stepping stone, I...
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Don’t Minimize Yourself by Focusing on Your Flaws
Follow the author's journey of breaking free from the pressures of perfectionism and anxiety. Learn how to prioritize mental health, embrace self-acceptance, and overcome the fear of failure....
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Failure is an Opportunity to Grow.
Explore the intersection of perfectionism, mental health struggles, and the valuable lessons learned from failure. Follow the author's journey of self-discovery, finding strength in vulnerability, and embracing personal...
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Want the whole playbook?
Surviving College by David Bradley is written for teens and college students. School, stress, friendships, and mental health, in the same honest voice as the stories on this page.
Questions about the blog
What is the Anonymous Intern Blog?
It is a collection of true, first person stories written by college students who intern with Big Head Bob. Each writer shares one real experience with mental health, school, family, friendship, or growing up, and stays anonymous so they can tell the whole truth.
Who writes these stories?
College students from universities across the United States and abroad. Writers have come from NYU, UCLA, Berkeley, USC, Brown, Stanford, UVA, the University of Georgia, UNLV, and more. Every post is written by the student who lived it.
Are the stories real?
Yes. Every post is a true account of something that happened to the writer. Names, schools, and details that could identify another person are changed or left out.
Why are the writers anonymous?
Anonymity lets students write honestly about therapy, drugs, family conflict, abortion, and other topics they would never put under their own name while applying for jobs or sitting in class. Without it, the stories would not be this honest.
Are these posts appropriate for my class or my kid?
The blog is written for readers 16 and older. Topics include anxiety, drugs, loneliness, abortion, and trauma. Teachers and parents should read a post all the way through before sharing it with a student or a class.
What if I am struggling right now?
You are not alone, and it is okay to ask for help. In the United States, call or text 988 any time to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Talking to a counselor, a teacher, or someone you trust is a good next step too.
Take a deep breath
If a story hit close to home, that is a sign to talk to someone. A counselor, a friend, a parent, or 988 any time.