Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University has launched the second season of its mental health podcast, “Enlighten U,” aimed at addressing the fear of failure among students. The inaugural episode of the new school year explores the nature and impact of this common anxiety, providing strategies to help students overcome it.

A survey by Linkagoal found that 31% of respondents cited fear of failure as a significant concern, surpassing fears such as paranormal activity, being home alone, and spiders. This statistic underscores the relevance of “Enlighten U’s” focus on this topic.

Aesha Mustafa, Ph.D., an assistant professor in EMU’s Department of Leadership and Counseling, explains how expectations can influence students' fears. She also discusses potential origins of these fears and suggests ways professors can support their students. Mustafa emphasizes the importance of embracing failure as part of personal growth: “If you are not failing, you’re not growing.”

Jahnavi Rambus, an EMU senior majoring in communication, media & theatre arts with a minor in public relations, shares his experiences with fear of failure. He encourages others to face their fears rather than avoid them: “Sometimes, the things we fear the most can have the best outcomes.” Rambus also highlights a personal strategy for managing fear—reminding oneself that mistakes are often forgotten by others.

Both Mustafa and Rambus stress that failure is a valuable learning experience. Mustafa advises: “It’s okay to fail sometimes as long as you can get up and be better next time.”

Future episodes will cover topics such as facility animals, learning disabilities, adjusting to campus life, and transitioning from high school to college.

For further details or inquiries about participation or topic suggestions for “Enlighten U,” contact Lolita Cummings at lcummin2@emich.edu or Melissa Thrasher at mthrashe@emich.edu.

“Enlighten U” serves Eastern Michigan University’s student body by tackling various mental health issues unique to college life. Co-hosted by Melissa Thrasher and Lolita Cummings, each monthly episode features discussions with students or alumni alongside subject-matter experts on topics ranging from imposter syndrome to social justice.

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 and is Michigan's second oldest public university. It educates over 13,000 students across more than 300 academic programs through its various colleges. The university is recognized nationally for its excellence and diversity.