Curls, Campus & Community: Hair Confidence, Finding Your People & Thriving in College

What does it take to find your people, your confidence, and your hair routine when you head off to college? We’re kicking off Season 2 with Jayden Pupoh, a junior at UNC Chapel Hill, student leader, community builder, and natural storyteller. From figuring out her hair in a rural community and at boarding school to finding her place at a large PWI, Jayden shares how she learned to build community, lead as an introvert, and become more comfortable wearing and appreciating her natural hair. We get practical too, talking college hair budgets, DIY and protective styles, and what “protective” actually means, using the science to cut through the social media noise. Plus, students from UNC’s Black Student Movement share advice on some of the biggest hair challenges on campus. Whether you’re heading to college or your college years are well behind you, this conversation goes beyond campus. It’s about finding your people, growing into yourself, and learning what works for you along the way. *CHAPTERS* 01:13 Early Hair Memories 02:56 Texture Change and Photos 05:38 Confidence and Family Support 09:08 High School Autonomy 10:46 Boarding School Hair Community 13:31 College Hair Challenges 16:09 Costs and DIY Styles 18:14 Embracing Natural Hair 23:11 Finding Community at UNC 24:34 Leadership in BSM 28:20 Campus Hair Logistics 31:34 Protective Styles Explained 37:40 Final Advice and Wrap Up *MORE ON PROTECTIVE STYLES* For more on protective styles and caring for your hair in braids, check out our Braids Care: Rethinking Protective Styles episode:    • Braids Care: Rethinking Protective Styles   *CONNECT WITH THE TIGHT CURLS PROJECT* Instagram:   / tightcurlsproject   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6COELYE... Substack: https://tightcurlsprojectpod.substack... Host & Producer: Shadia Oshodi Associate Producer: Emily Eschleman Brand Design: https://heyzanda.com #NaturalHair #CollegeLife #BlackHair #ProtectiveStyles #TheTightCurlsProject