By the time a young person reaches their mid-teens, they’ve spent over a decade building an identity—shaped by family, school, friendships, and increasingly, their digital life. For Transitional Age Youth (TAY)—typically defined as those aged 15 to 26—this period marks a crucial passage into adulthood, marked by change, choice, and complexity.

8 Good Reasons

In a world where AI is accelerating, workplaces are changing, and young people face rising mental health challenges, universities need to educate for more than just knowledge and skills. Research in flourishing sciences shows that wellbeing, purpose, and belonging are not “extras”—they are foundational to learning, leadership, and life outcomes (Keyes, 2007; Seligman, 2011; VanderWeele, 2020).

We are living in a time of rapid change, pressure, and uncertainty.

Every day, young people are flooded with information, expectations, and choices that shape who they become—and yet rarely are they given the space to pause, reflect, and ask life’s biggest questions: Who am I? What really matters to me? How do I want to live, contribute, and grow?

Spoiler: The Answer Isn’t Learning to Code Faster Than ChatGPT

AI just wrote a song, passed a law exam, and might be coming for your job next. Feeling a little uneasy? You’re not alone. But here’s the thing—what will keep you relevant in the future isn’t another certificate or tech skill. It’s your humanness.