James Loy 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast by the host and guests may or may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Miami University.

Student 

I'm a senior, I'm about to graduate, and I've done a lot of cool things in college.

Student 

I never thought that I was going to be an intramural curler. I never thought that I was going to be the student body president.

Student 

These four years have been the biggest amount of growth I've seen in my entire life.

Student 

It's not just about the academics, but like, what kind of person you turn into, which is super cool.

Carson 

And like we talked about, like, the connections you make on campus, like healthy relationships, like trying to, like, find that with people. I know, like you said, you room with 13 other girls?

Michaela 

Mmmm-Hmm

Carson 

I guess, like, you have to ... there's relationships in there. Like you have to, like, navigate those, and that's hard. And so having that open conversation, having that dialog, having... being able to, like, to make a space where people can feel vulnerable and be vulnerable in it. Like making that brave space is really important.

Michaela 

Yeah, absolutely. And finding community is something we talk about all the time on this podcast. So this is major insight. My name is Michaela Buck, and who are you?

Carson 

My name is Carson Ebbrecht. I am a junior psychology pre-med. So I'm involved in, like, a lot of different things, like President of active minds, just like a mental health club on campus.

Michaela 

Yeah, it seems like you're really involved in the mental health side of campus. Could you elaborate, maybe a little on those organizations. Because I feel like maybe sometimes those aren't as like, broadcasted, or like, like known. And I feel like a lot of the issues or maybe discussions that you guys talk about are super prevalent for college students, like, even the healthy relationships thing. I'm sure you guys have other workshops that are even just as relatable, right?

Carson 

Yeah, definitely. Like we talked about coping skills. Like in active minds, we don't just do like education stuff, like in Armstrong, we do, like, we pass out flowers for gratitude, things like that, just to get people engaged with our club. And yeah. So now I'm president of Active Minds. Yeah. I think it's been successful so far. And hopefully we can keep that... so I want, I want people's ideas, because I think, like, a lot of people have great ideas on this campus, and trying to give a voice to those ideas is important when we talk about mental health, and even, like, a lot of different other things.

Carson 

And that's the fun thing about leadership too, is I feel like the creativity with it, like you could kind of make the position your own, like ...

Carson 

Oh yeah, definitley.

Michaela 

You shape the impact that you have. That's something I've realized, too, being the president of my sorority, is like you have so much ability to do whatever you want. I mean, obviously within reason, but of whatever change that you want to create and that you want to see, like you are able to do that within your club, which I think is so cool, and it'll be a lasting impact on Miami's campus and your club.

Carson 

Oh, yeah, definitely, that's what really we want to do, is like, how do we help students on this campus? Because, like, it's... , like, mental health is a big area for people, and we can't help mental health if people aren't coming to our club.

Michaela 

Yes

Carson 

So we're advertising like that sense of belonging. I think a lot of people need, like, that sense of belonging on campus, really, like, when you're a freshman, like, that's like, hard, like, to find your people, and if you don't, like, have, like... like, we had great experiences with our roommates and like, people in our dorms. But like, if you don't have that, like, who can you go to?

Michaela 

Yeah, absolutely. And I feel like everyone, just in general, in college, is always searching for belonging, always searching for a community, for people to connect with, and I think that's why being involved is so important, because everybody can find their niche, everybody can find something that they're passionate about. And I feel like mental health is yours, but like, Miami alone, I think, has over 600 organizations. So I think that just really speaks to the importance of finding what you're passionate about and how that will lead to that feeling of home we kind of discussed earlier.

Carson 

No, exactly

Michaela 

Yeah. So what kind of came first? Was it the psychology major and then the pre med? Or was it pre med and then Psych? Or how did you ...

Carson 

I don't really know what came first. I think it's like, like a natural progression for me, right? Like, my mom's a social worker. My my dad's worked as a principal for a while, and so like, I saw, like, the impact that mental health has just like, not only on like academics for students, but also just in like, their daily lives. And I think for medicine mainly, it's just... it just seems like so enticing for me, like I've done shadowing at different hospitals around Columbus. I've done volunteering as well. It just like, feels like a place that I want to be a part of, and it feels like a job that I would see myself doing for the rest of my life, because it has, like, those different aspects of like, you're talking to patients, you're talking with people, you're trying to, like, figure out a solution for them and they could try and make their lives better, which is, like, a little like, analogous to what we do in active minds.

Carson 

I was just about to say, talk about an impact too. What kind of doctor do you want to be?

Carson 

I have no idea. Like, I, like, have, like, like, maybe, like, a child psychiatry.

Michaela 

Oh, yeah.

Carson 

Like, I'm so open to it, because I think, like, it's important to be open to those new experiences. And I have shadowed the decent amount, and I will be shadowing a lot more in J-term.

Michaela 

Yeah, you never know what is going to draw your attention ...

Carson 

Until, like, you're in it.

Michaela 

Yeah, it truly is that way, though. I feel like once you're doing the rotations, or I'm not sure what they call them, what's the proper term, yeah, but I think that's kind of when you know is when you're in it, and like, you can't really predict what you're going to be passionate about until you're there.

Michaela 

Yes, absolutely! Look at us being all symbolic. It is thought. Yeah, you don't know until you're in it. And so I feel like you kind of just have to be open minded, like you said, and jump in and see what you're working with and what you're passionate about.

Carson 

I think that's like with college as well. No?

Carson 

No, exactly. I think, like being that open mind, like on campus, right? I think like, you can do a lot of things on campus, and like, maybe that, like, might not work out. I... Like, I did a lot of things freshman year that didn't work out.

Carson 

Yeah, i was just about to ask that. What are kind of some maybe challenges you faced this ...

Carson 

So I think the challenges I faced is, like, I want to be involved. Like, I knew I want to be involved. Like, how do you be involved? Right? Because, like, I'm a freshman, like, I don't have that much experience on campus, so I would go and I would do things to, like, try and gain that experience. Like, I got rejected so many times, sby o many things, but like, I still, like, kept at it, and I kept being true who I was, and wanting more out of just my college experience, right?

Michaela 

Yeah, and I always talk about that the importance of maximizing your college potential, because there is so much you can be doing, and obviously you don't want to go to the point of burnout, but there's so much that we could be involved in, that we could be attending, like, I feel like I don't even take advantage of everything that our college has to offer. I think it's so important to do that so that even, like, probably some of your rejections, so you say, probably helped shape you kind of into who you are today.

Carson 

And like, for me, like, when I would get, like, rejected by certain things, like, it just like, free me up to do other things, right? So I just, like, filled that space up. So it's been great so far, like I wouldn't change my path, because I feel like it's just like, was that natural progression for me? Of like, I'm at where I'm at now, but like, I needed freshman, sophomore year to be where I'm at now, and to know how to, like, go about it, like, know how to prioritize things, what to say no to right now? It's been a struggle for me to say no recently, because I just want to do everything.

Michaela 

And what a great perspective, because you said, like, if something's not working out, something else will, and that kind of just frees up your time. And I feel like it goes back to that common saying that's like rejection is redirection, which I think is so important to remember in college, like, even if you don't get an opportunity or an internship or a position like something else will come your way that is meant for you.

Carson 

Oh, definitely, yeah, yeah.

Michaela 

So what else are you kind of involved in on campus? Are you ... is Active Minds, Like your main thing, and then kind of, what are your little side hustles?

Carson 

I have alot of main things and they, like, fluctuate with how much time I have to spend with them. Like, so I TA for sociology, 153 with Dr Ron Bulanda, great, great person. And then also, TA for Psych, 111 Dr Flaspohler, and that's great because it's like all introductory students. It's like, I'll see a lot of people. People also recognize me a lot when I'm a TA.

Michaela 

Oh, celebrity!

Carson 

Well, like, it's not like that. Like, I don't know. Like, like, it's like, 150 students. Like, 200 across, like, both sections, like, and like, I only grade for sociology 15,3 and, like, how that started was, I just kind of got asked by Dr Bulanda after class, "hey, do you want me to be my TA for social theory?" It's like, yeah, sure. But yeah. So that's been great. Like, getting to know him has been great as well. And then what else am I involved in? I'm on Dean Student Advisory Board for College of Arts and Science.

Michaela 

Whoa.

Carson 

So we've been, like, trying to build that up, trying to get, like, the voice of students to the dean -- that's really like, like, we're the bridge, and we're gonna be doing a lot more stuff on campus, which, like, you have to look out for a CAS student.

Michaela 

Yeah, absolutely. What an important job, too.

Carson 

Oh, yeah, exactly. I think it's important for the dean to know, like, how the students are feeling. I think it's important to know that, like, administration is listening to people, and there's people that, like, can talk to them.

Michaela 

Yeah, like you.

Carson 

Yeah. Exactly,

Michaela 

You are that person.

Carson 

One of many.

Michaela 

Okay, it sounds like you're really good at taking initiative.

Carson 

Yeah, I try. I try to take initiative, just because, like, I think a lot of times, like, we can just talk, and we can talk about things, but like, when do we actually get to impact people's lives is when we, like, take initiative and when we actually do something about what we're talking about. And so I do a lot of that. I want to shout out another org I'm a part of, which I go in a little bit. And they're also mental health is Miami, Hope. That's like another mental health club on campus. They meet at different times than Active Minds. So you can go to both, which is what I do. But it's like a different vibe for our clubs. But I think that's important to have a lot of different avenues for students to engage in mental health that's different for people. And that's a different vibe. And I think, I think it's great having multiple different clubs on campus, but how do we like combine all those clubs together to make that maybe that lasting change on people so, like, we can combine resources is really important. So that's what we're trying to work on right now.

Michaela 

Yeah, absolutely. And I think variety is huge, just generally with any topic, especially mental health, that is so personal to people, like, maybe they want to express it in different ways or with a different group of people.

Carson 

Exactly because I think the group of people like matters. It matters like, like, what we present, what we want to represent. I think it's really important -- when people come in, they like, they feel like they belong to something, and they feel like they can be vulnerable.

Michaela 

What do you think is kind of coming up for you in these last two years, do you think? What's happening for maybe Active Minds? Or Hope?

Carson 

So like, we've seen a lot of growth this semester for Active Minds. And just like, I think it's like a testament, like, my exec team, like, what we've been able to accomplish and, like, what we've set out to ...like, we make goals. And like, I didn't know that you like, you actually... , like, everyone was like, oh, make goals, Carson. Like, can you make goals in your life? But like, it like, actually, like, kind of works. If, like, you're running an organization, because you can be like, Hey, this is, like, where we need to be. So, like, we just need, like, make it happen. And so ...

Michaela 

That's a good life lesson, too. I feel like, just to anybody, like, setting goals is so important, so you can kind of keep track of yourself, like, Hey, I'm at this point right now. And I said I wanted to be here by this time. And so kind of, where am I at? And, like, just having, sort of, yeah, just ...

Carson 

And like, make them clear too. I think that's really important.

Michaela 

And specific.

Carson 

Yeah, specific. And you can also, like, tie into the mission. I always, like, tie our goals to our mission -- Of, like, trying to engage more students in mental health. Okay. Then we're gonna do like, an event outside of our general body meetings every month so we can engage more people. That, like, was a goal, and that's what we've done. And so it's just been great.

Michaela 

And I feel like you need tangible things kind of like that, like having ... we're going to do these events to engage more students. Not the goal being to engage more students. Because, like, I could sit here and be like, "I'm going to get all A's this semester." Well, that's not going to help me. You know, like, you have to be specific.

Carson 

But how?

Michaela 

I'm going to study every single night this week to prepare for this exam and make three quizlets. Like, I think that, in general, is such a skill you learn in college, is how to, like, actually make something happen.

Carson 

I think, like, also, like staying motivated is, like, really, really hard sometimes. And like, having that open conversation, because we are a mental health club, so we talk about that sort of stuff within our club. I think it's really important.

Michaela 

Yeah, and staying motivated in general is just so difficult, like in college and like, when you're... when you're on your own for the first time, you're kind of getting into the swing of things. You might not have that routine yet, but in that same vein, those goals can kind of help you stay on track and make sure that you're meeting those points.

Carson 

Yeah, exactly. And I think engaging, like, with other people, like asking the question of, like, how are we doing? Like, do you think this meeting was good? What do you think? Like, having those conversations with people I think are important, and is what I try to do, and what I've been doing more of.

Michaela 

Yeah, checking in is so important, even just with your friends, like, hey, how are you doing?

Carson 

Oh my gosh. I think, like, one of the main things, like, the piece of advice I can give is, like, showing up for things, like showing up for people. When you show up for a person's event ...

Michaela 

Yes!

Carson 

Like, that means something to people. Like, people want that. Like, I want that. I want my friends to come to my event. It means a lot more when they do. So I think that can be, like, one way you engage and how you try to, like, make that connection,

Michaela 

Yeah, it contributes to that belonging, like, 100% and like that, especially just showing up. And I know, I'm pretty sure we talked about this on another episode, or I was just talking about it with one of my friends. But, like, in order to have a village, you have to be the villager.

Carson 

Yeah, exactly.

Michaela 

There's so much truth to that. Like, if you kind of want people to show up for you and you want to feel that sense of belonging, you have to reciprocate that.

Carson 

It goes both ways.

Michaela 

Yes, yeah, I know that's like, all of my friends are very involved. And so whenever we ... like my friend, Lydia is a singer, and so we'll go to, like her band shows, and, you know, we'll go to my friend Abby's like, mental health meetings, because she's kind of involved too. So yeah, it's just like, I think that's such a huge part of college is like, just checking in, seeing where people are at and, like, showing up for everybody.

Carson 

Oh, definitely, yeah.

Michaela 

If you had one piece of advice to give your freshman yourself, what would it be?

Carson 

I think just like, let the progression happen. Like, be open to that progression. Like, it's not always like, gonna go your way. I think a lot of people come into college thinking a certain way about it. Like, that's not always the case, and that's okay, right? Like, it takes a little bit to find who you want to be with, being able to navigate that, and being able to like, be present with that. It's just something that you just need to, like, go through and like, yes, there's times when like you should get support and you should seek support, because maybe this comes to the point where like you need that. But I think like just being along for the ride is something that is important,

Michaela 

Yeah, and I feel like something important you said too, is, we all have these ideas of college, but you kind of have to denounce that preconceived notion. Nothing is going to be as it seems. Yes, some things might align with what you have been picturing, but all in all, your experience is going to be so unique to yourself. And so you kind of, like you said, just have to let it progress.

Carson 

And like, things take time, right? And so knowing that things take time.

Michaela 

Yeah, things take time, and it takes ... it'll take a little bit to acclimate to the college experience.

Carson 

 Definitely.

Michaela 

All right. Thank you so much, Carson, thanks for coming on the pod.

Carson 

This was great.

Michaela 

Carson Ebbrect is a double psychology and pre medical major at Miami University. After graduation, he plans to attend medical school. And thank you for listening to major insight, many more stories, advice and inspiration are always available wherever podcasts are found.