4.19 Becoming College Ready: Navigating Higher Education with Mya Andersen

In the final 2025 episode of Mindful Academy, host Jennifer Askey is joined by consultant and academic life coach Mya Andersen of Student Empowered. The discussion delves into the challenges and transformations faced by first-year college students, emphasizing skills like self-authorship and self-advocacy. Maya shares insights from her work helping students and their families prepare for and thrive in the college environment. They also explore the broader issues of undergraduate education, the pressure of professionalization, and the value of a college degree in today's evolving landscape.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:06 Mya Anderson's Background and Approach

02:56 Impact of COVID on Higher Education

05:51 Challenges in Student Services

11:26 The Value of an Undergraduate Degree

16:07 Navigating College and Personal Growth

25:56 Supporting Students Through Challenges

35:37 Mentoring Adolescents for Success

37:53 High Stakes in Higher Education

38:40 Treating College Like a Big Ticket Item

43:41 The Professionalization of Undergraduate Degrees

49:01 The Importance of Coaching and Career Services

52:43 Challenges Faced by Faculty and Students

58:26 Gen Z and the Changing Educational Landscape

01:06:42 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

Resources: 

10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People. A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation – and Making Your Own Life Easier, by David Yeager

https://thestudentempowered.com/

https://www.instagram.com/the_student_empowered/