Mental Endurance: Dr. Shandra and Dr. Dar
“Mental Endurance” with Dr. Shandra & Dr. Dar
In this thoughtful and motivating episode, Dr. Shandra and Dr. Dar dive into the theme of mental endurance and what it truly takes to keep going on the academic journey—especially through the toughest moments. Sharing personal stories from their own educational paths, both speakers explore why having a meaningful “why” is crucial for sticking with your goals, how to stay focused when obstacles arise, and how the process of overcoming challenges is foundational to success.
Their honest discussion covers everything from emotional resilience and battling self-doubt, to practical tips like setting routines, building supportive communities, and the role of mentors. Both Dr. Shandra and Dr. Dar candidly address family expectations, internal and external setbacks, and the power of perseverance when life doesn’t go as planned.
Three Key Takeaways:
- Define and Stay Focused on Your “Why”: Knowing your personal motivation for pursuing a degree is essential for mental endurance. When challenges arise, returning to your “why” can help you push through temporary setbacks and keep your eyes on your long-term goals.
- Community & Mentorship Matter: Surrounding yourself with supportive peers, mentors, and positive influences—whether in-person or through books—creates an ecosystem that can help you weather difficulties, hold you accountable, and provide practical advice for your journey.
- Endurance is Built Through Resistance: Every roadblock, big or small, is a chance to strengthen your resilience. Success isn’t about never facing obstacles; it’s about learning how to overcome them, seek help when necessary, and continue moving forward—one step at a time.
Tune in for stories of hope, real-world wisdom, and the belief that you can do hard things, even if it sometimes feels impossible in the moment.
Other Episodes with Dr. Shandra and Dr. Dar:
- Discovering and Using Your Gifts and Talents in College
- Our Academic Story
- Inclusive Leadership for Students
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Academic Survival: The Podcast That Gets Freshman to Graduation
Shandra L McDonald
Podcaster | Public Servant | Student Success Strategist | Lifelong Learner | Determined
Shandra L. McDonald, DPA, is a student success strategist. She's an Upward Bound Alumni and a former Educational Opportunity Program student. She’s passionate about helping college freshman survive and thrive during their first year of college so that they can graduate within 5 years. She knows first-hand what it is like to struggle academically as a college freshman. Completely overwhelmed her first year of college, she often felt like giving up. She had a difficult time adjusting to the fast pace and the workload. She eventually developed strategies to improve her grades because she knew that a college education was her ticket to a better life. She’s on a mission to teach self-awareness and her SELF-Discipline System to college freshmen.
Dr. McDonald's strategy took her from clueless to Cum Laude. She's earned three college degrees (Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Public Administration, and Doctor of Public Administration), entered Federal service under the Outstanding Scholars Program, served as an adjunct professor, and appears as a guest lecturer. She is the author of Academic Survival: Simple Strategies for Improving Your Grades, contributing author of the textbook Government at Work: Policy Making in the Twenty-First-Century Congress, and host of the Academic Survival Podcast.
Dar Mayweather, Ph.D.
Professional Speaker
As a professional speaker, Dar will teach you inclusive leadership strategies so that you can close the gap between your intention and action. His inclusive leadership activities will equip you with the tools to understand your leadership superpowers and how to use them across l identity to discuss critical conversations with peers, supervisors, and more!
