Monica the Medium: Juggling a Sixth Sense for Spirits and College Classes

College is difficult, whether you’re struggling with New Media 101 or just trying to throw an epic kegger. Now imagine doing both with a bunch of dead people gabbing in your ear. That’s the premise behind ABC Family’s reality show Monica the Medium, about Penn State junior and “Spirit Medium” Monica Ten-Kate, who started hearing the dearly departed as a teenager. When she’s not studying for exams, she’s helping the bereft communicate with their deceased loved ones. In tonight’s episode, Monica goes looking for a new job, but not every employer is thrilled with her talent. We talked to the 21-year-old about her gift and more.

How did you discover you were a medium?
When I was in high school, my friends would tell stories about their childhood and I would see or hear or feel the ending before they told it, especially if it was about someone they lost. Once it started happening with strangers, I knew that there was no going back.

Your roommate Ann is a bit of a skeptic. Will you change her mind over the course of the season?
It’s not that she thinks I’m a con, but she’s just not sure she believes [my abilities] are possible. But after living with me and witnessing me do what I do so many times, she starts coming to terms with it. My other roommate, Lea, and I are the ones who get on each other’s nerves. I like to have a clean kitchen, and she doesn’t care as much.

What’s the biggest misconception about mediums?
People automatically assume when I say I’m a medium that I can predict the future or that I’m a mind reader. I’m very clear that I’m a spirit medium and only connect to those in heaven.

What is the hardest thing about being a student and doing what you do?
Finding the motivation that I should have for my schoolwork when I’m doing a reading with someone who really needs the message. It’s really hard to be like, “OK, I’m going to head off, spirit, because I have to go write a paper or do a math problem!”

Monica the Medium, 8/7c, ABC Family