Thriving in College: What Nobody Tells You
Guest: Danielle Barone, LCSW, Founder of Waves Therapy Group Host: Julie Riga
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What if the gap between struggling and thriving in college came down to a few key skills nobody ever taught you? In this episode, Julie Riga sits down with licensed clinical social worker, trauma-informed therapist, and founder of Waves Therapy Group, Danielle Barone. Together they unpack the mindset shifts, power skills, and confidence-building strategies that prepare students and their parents for one of life's most transformative transitions. From boundary setting and building resilience to finding your people and navigating college like a professional in training, this conversation is a must-listen for every family stepping into the college journey.
Thriving in College: What Nobody Tells You
About the Guest
Danielle Barone, LCSW is the founder of Waves Therapy Group in Boca Raton, Florida. She specializes in helping adolescents and young adults navigate trauma, PTSD, anxiety, OCD, and emotional regulation through compassionate, evidence-based care. With roughly half of her caseload made up of college students, Danielle brings deep clinical expertise and real parent experience to this conversation. Her work is rooted in building emotional resilience, self-leadership, and lasting confidence.
What You Will Learn
The "Nobody Told Me" Gap 94 percent of incoming college freshmen experience homesickness in their first semester. Students arrive academically prepared but emotionally underprepared. Nobody teaches them how to write an email to a professor, how to find campus resources, how to set boundaries with a roommate, or how to ask for help. College is not 13th grade. It is the beginning of your professional life.
Julie's Ingredients for Success Find a friend in every class within the first two days. Build a study group. Make sure your professor knows your name. Attend office hours. Get involved in clubs, Greek life, or campus jobs. Every one of these actions is professional development in action. One of Julie's first jobs came directly from a professor recommendation.
The Parent Role: Guide, Do Not Carry Parents must resist solving every problem for their child. Resilience is built through productive struggle. Julie shares the story of her son Michael, who missed an exam twice during fraternity pledging and called her in a panic. Her advice was simple: explain your situation to the professor. The answer is already no if you do nothing. He sent the email. The professor reopened the exam. He learned a life skill that no parent could have given him.
Boundary Setting as a Core Skill Living in the dorm, navigating roommate conflict, learning to say no, and advocating for yourself in uncomfortable situations builds the self-esteem and courage needed throughout life. These are not small moments. They are the foundation of personal growth.
The Thrive in College Workshop
Julie Riga and Danielle Barone are co-hosting a two-day workshop at the FAU Alumni Center in Boca Raton on June 26 and 27. Designed for incoming college students and their parents, the event covers professional development, mental health awareness, social navigation, boundary setting, and everything nobody told you about thriving in college. Lunch is provided.
To register or learn more, email julie@julieriga.com or visit wavestherapygroup.com.
Connect
Danielle Barone: wavestherapygroup.com
Julie Riga: julieriga.com | julie@julieriga.com
Resources and Links: https://stacklist.app/julieriga
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