“However, the reality is that schoolwork is often neither interesting nor meaningful,” he said — at least, not in a way that students immediately get.
a mindset of “self-transcendent” purposeful learning
They’re learning how to learn, how to practice self-discipline and motivate themselves through frustrating roadblocks, and thus are preparing for adulthood.
But having that bigger sense of purpose, that personal mission of making a positive difference in the broader world, might help students to find meaning in difficult or mundane schoolwork.