620: Navigating Student Health in College: A Doctor’s Guide to Sleep, Stress, and Student Life

The transition from high school to college is something that thousands of students struggle with each year, and it’s not something people really talk about. There’s a lot of pressure for students to “have it together” in some broad sense. That's why today I'm excited to talk to Dr. Jill Grimes, Dr. Jill Grimes, author of The ULTIMATE College Student Health Handbook: Your Guide for Everything from Hangovers to Homesickness, for a frank conversation about things that are often stigmatized. 

Content warning: We get into some pretty serious topics such as mental health, drinking, and sex. The views and information shared in this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health, treatment or medication.

 

In our conversation we cover a wide range of topics, including:

• What are some simple, science-backed tips for getting better sleep in a dorm room?
• How does caffeine or other medications affect sleep quality?
• Dr. Jill’s Rule of 3 for navigating homesickness 
• How can students tell the difference between typical stress and something that really needs attention?
• How do medications like antidepressants interact with other substances, and why is that something students need to take seriously?
• What are some simple ways students can take care of their bodies during this big life transition?
• And more

Dr. Jill Grimes is a nationally recognized medical media expert, award-winning author, and proud mom of two awesome college graduates. Dr. Grimes’ passion project is The ULTIMATE College Student Health Handbook: Your Guide for Everything from Hangovers to Homesickness, Oprah’s choice for Best Book in her 2025 Best Gifts for Grads List. With over 20 years of experience in private practice and academic medicine plus 7 years working directly with college students in a busy university health center, Dr. Jill brings a unique blend of real-world medical expertise, evidence-based medicine, and relatable advice for parents and students alike.  Dr. Grimes loves creating and thinking outside the box, in or out of the medical world. She and her daughters relished their decade of scouting and many years of mother-daughter service through the National Charity League.

We hope you enjoy.

 

Play-by-Play:

• 3:09 – Dr. Jill shares her background and identities
• 4:32 – What are some of the questions that Dr. Jill often hears in her work?
• 5:58 – What advice would Dr. Jill give to first-year students? 
• 7:32 – Why does getting involved early make such a difference?
• 9:46 – How can students get better sleep?
• 14:39 – How do caffeine and ADHD meds impact sleep quality?
• 16:37 – What should students know about melatonin and over-the-counter sleep aids?
• 20:29 – What’s Dr. Jill’s “Rule of Three” for easing homesickness?
• 28:04 – How can students reduce anxiety and test stress?
• 33:27 – How do students know when normal stress becomes a mental health concern?
• 38:21 – What should students know about nutrition and the effects of alcohol on the body? 
• 44:20 – What advice would Dr. Jill give to students who decide to drink alcohol? 
•  47:59 – How can families approach conversations about sex and consent?
• 49:48 – What should students know before visiting a doctor on their own?
• 52:50 – What does Dr. Jill hope that families will keep in mind through this transition?  

 

Resources:

• The Way Meditation App
• Drunk Calc 
• College Essay Guy’s Personal Statement Resources
• College Essay Guy’s College Application Hub
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