Anonymous Intern Blogs
True stories from college students about anxiety, loneliness, therapy, drugs, and friendship, written so the next student feels less alone.
Showing 12 stories about growth mindset. Show every story
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Loneliness: Let’s Talk About it
Within two weeks of freshman year, I dreaded the dining hall. This social environment was my greatest reminder that I had no friends.
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Road to Recovery
**To respect my friend’s privacy, I will be using “Jane” as a fake name** At 17 years old, I confronted the force of drug addiction, but it...
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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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My Ambivalence with COVID-19
COVID-19 stole many anticipated moments from my youth, including the beginning of my college career. Forced into virtual learning and isolation, I had to adapt, become self-disciplined, and...
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Someday you will find your own voice!
In junior high school, I struggled with self-doubt and believed my voice wasn't appealing. But a teacher's encouraging words sparked a change within me. From military training to...
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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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“That little voice in your head isn’t you.”
Uncover the transformative journey from self-criticism to self-love in this inspiring narrative. Explore how silencing the internal critic and embracing positive self-talk can empower you to celebrate your...
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NYU Student Perspective
In this personal narrative, a college student highlights their mental health journey, shedding light on the importance of early intervention. They advocate for children's resources like 'Big Head...
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A look inside Big Head Bob - With David
A character Bradley had been drawing since his youth, the big-headed, translucent-colored Bob is, above all, a tool for children to learn, among other things, calmness, growth, self-empowerment...
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Developing a Growth Mindset for Success
Everyone has something that they feel like they aren’t good at. Maybe you feel like you naturally aren’t good at math or will never get the hang of...
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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.