Academic Survival

About Academic Survival

Thirty percent of students drop out of college during the 1st year. The transition from high school to college can feel overwhelming for many freshmen and their families. On Academic Survival, I interview current and former college students about their freshman year experiences. I also invite expert guests who share college success tips, freshman survival strategies, and advice on thriving in college life and beyond. Whether you're a 1st-year student looking for guidance, or a parent wanting your freshman to succeed, this podcast provides real stories, strategies, and encouragement to help you on the journey. Join me as we discover how to survive freshman year, thrive throughout college, and graduate with confidence. Academic Survival: The Podcast That Gets Freshmen to Graduation.

Publisher

Shandra L. McDonald

Category

education · education · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

31 Dec 2022

Latest episode

15 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

28 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Mar 2026

   From Clinicals to Critical Care: Nurse Mikaela’s Survival Stories

   Dr. Shandra interviews Nurse Mikaela Ausbon-Harrison about her non-linear journey into critical care nursing, revealing resilience and advocacy lessons.

2. 

   30 Sept 2025

   Mental Endurance: Dr. Shandra and Dr. Dar

   Dr. Shandra and Dr. Dar share personal stories and practical advice on building mental endurance and perseverance through academic challenges.

3. 

   30 Aug 2025

   Discovering and Using Your Gifts and Talents in College: Dr. Shandra and Dr. Dar

   In this interview, Dr. Shandra and Dr. Dar guide students and young professionals to discover and leverage their unique gifts and talents for personal fulfillment and professional growth.

Who has been a guest on Academic Survival

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Shandra
• Dr Dar
• Shandra
• Dar
• Aryss Richardson

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

295

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 49 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

48

Social presence

0

YouTube

66

Engagement

60

Contact Academic Survival

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.