"Which is better or worse for you, marijuana or alcohol?" We get asked this question at almost all of our Rachael's First Week LIVE! events. We delve deep into the "weeds" in this episode (pun intended!) to debunk the myths of marijuana versus alcohol. Our panel of experts discuss the legal, health, and mental health implications of drinking and ma…

What do Columbine, Parkland and Uvalde all have in common? Unfortunately all sites of where loss of life occurred due to an active shooter. Recent history has proven that these tragic events don’t seem to be diminishing in number. Listen to our experts talk about what to do to prepare beforehand, during and after such an event occurs.…

Having a roommate during your first year of college can be amazing. A roommate can help prevent homesickness and even end up being a life-long friend. But not always. Sometimes things get a bit more tense the longer you live together. These difficulties can have a negative effect on everything you do in college – sleep, your mental health, and even…

How have you readied yourself for the possibility of a serious injury or medical crisis involving your son or daughter? What's your plan for receiving notifications? Remember, all smartphones offer Emergency SOS services that can be set up to notify you in the event of a medical crisis.Rachael’s First Week

Join us for this episode of SafeTEA, where the Three College Idiots take the reins as guest hosts. Tune in to hear Sam and Evan share hilarious tales from their freshman year, coupled with invaluable advice for first-time dorm movers and essential safety tips.Rachael’s First Week

In PART 2 of our Travel Safety Abroad podcast, we hear more from Ros Thackurdeen and Elizabeth Brenner. Ros and Elizabeth talk about the tragic losses of their sons in overseas study programs, and we learn how they met and formed Protect Students Abroad, an organization striving to make study abroad programs safer.…

Annually, over 300,000 students take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad in over 3800 cultural communities. While the benefits of international travel are abundant, study abroad is not without its risks. When considering study abroad, these risks must be taken into consideration when choosing a program and a destination. In this episode, w…

What if you son or daughter has a serious injury of medical emergency while at college? How will you be notified? What kind of information can health care providers share with you?Rachael’s First Week

Every day hundreds in the U.S. are affected by sexual violence. On college campuses sexual assault is especially prevalent. Why is this so common on college campuses and what can we do to stop this?Rachael’s First Week

An eating disorder is not just about food. It's a mental illness that involves unhealthy thoughts and behaviors about food, weight, and your body shape. During the college years the stress of classes, making friends, and just trying to fit in can lead students into come really unhealthy habits that can eeasily evolve into dangerous eating disorders…

In 2020, 10,583 human trafficking cases were reported (via the https://humantraffickinghotline.org) and those are just the cases that were reported. "Human trafficking is the business of stealing freedom for profit and is a multi-billion dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 24.9 million people around the world." (humantraffickinghotline.…

Today over 113,000 people are on the transplant list and while 95% of all Americans support organ donation only 52% are actually designated donors. So have a conversation with your family, express your wishes, and understand the wishes of those you love. Give the gift of life.Rachael‘s First Week

What type are you? Blood type that is! During the season of giving we'd like to ask that you consider giving blood. Did you know that 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives?! This simple, life-saving act can help others and it's so easy to do. Give back this December and save lives, donate blood.Rachael‘s First Week

The Bystander Effect is a phenomenon in which the more people present in an emergency situation, the less likely someone will help another in need. Most people, if asked, would say that in an emergency situation they would call for help, but studies have shown that really only about 10% help out in this situation. What affects whether someone is wi…

We are seeing larger numbers than ever suffering from mental health issues. Many students may not know how or where to get started including what kind of provider they need where, to begin, or even what kind of questions to ask when seeking help. Listen about the journey of one college student and how she navigated her mental health issues. Learn f…

In this podcast hear the harrowing story of hazing survivor, Tyler Perino, why he thought it couldn't happen to him, and how his story is bringing awareness to this issue. You'll also hear from an expert, Judson Horras, President & CEO of the North American Interfraternity Conference, and how his organization is working to stop hazing and prevent a…

Welcome to Season 2 of SafeTEA by Rachael's First Week! Listen to clips from our first season and get a sneak peek of upcoming Season 2 episodes. As an added bonus we've included our TOP TEN TIPS for College Students. Don't miss this great advice! Stay tuned...our next podcast will drop on September 20th for Hazing Awareness Week.…

Are you planning on voting? Why or why not? What are the issues that matter most to you? Our "man/woman on the street" spoke with college students. Listen to what your peers are saying about the election. Do you agree or disagree?Rachael's First Week

Medical Amnesty, the Indiana Lifeline Law, and the importance of calling 911. DO NOT miss this important episode. Shelby, a college student, tells her compelling story about "making the call" against friends' resistance and saving her friend's life. Senator Jim Merritt speaks on the Lifeline Law, along with Jill Lees, IU Bloomington Chief of Police…

Is COVID crushing your soul? Is your social life turned upside down? What about parties? What about football? Will it ever end? Hear what other students are saying about these weird times. And don’t forget to share your thoughts with us as well @RachaelsFirstWeek. For more about this episode or to hear more episodes visit, rachaelsfirstweek.org/pod…

The aftermath caused by the death of college freshman, Rachael Fiege, continued to have a ripple effect long after the fall. Following the devastating news, her friends and family pull together and look for the positives hidden in this tragedy in an effort to prevent other college students from suffering a similar heartbreak. For more about this ep…

The death of college freshman, Rachael Fiege, rocked the small community of Zionsville, Indiana. Rachael left for college one day and was gone the next. No one could have foreseen the accident that would take her life and would change the lives of those around her...forever. For more about this episode or to hear more episodes visit, rachaelsfirstw…