10 Motivational and Inspirational Books for Students

Reading books is a highly effective way to take time for yourself, relax, and unwind. There are tons of books out there, but most people don’t realize that they can be inspiring and motivational, especially when they are students. Classes and studying can take up a lot of time, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed and need a break. One of the best ways to gain back motivation and be inspired to keep pushing to the finish line is to open a book of your choosing and escape.

At Bryant & Stratton College, we recognize the need for breaks, especially when they can be uplifting and encouraging. We have created a list of motivational and inspirational books for college students looking for the drive to achieve their goals.

10 Motivational and Inspirational Books for Students

1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a must-read for every student who is looking for motivation. Stephen Covey argues that change progresses from the inside out and that the process of change is just as important as the result. You should make changes to yourself if you are looking to make a change in your circumstances. The book teaches that you can’t become as successful as you want to without living according to principles and core values. Beginning with the end in mind is just one of the powerful lessons the author touches on in this book.

2. OG Mandino’s University of Success, by Og Mandino

Og Mandino’s University of Success is filled with the greatest success authorities in the world sharing their most treasured success secrets. Each lesson will make you feel closer to meeting your life goals and conquering what may be setting you back. Og Mandino is one of the most widely read, inspirational self-help authors in the world.

3. The Magic of Thinking Big, by David J. Schwartz

The Magic of Thinking Big focuses primarily on the power of positive thinking and the way it can enhance your life. The book concentrates on the importance of thinking outside the box and looking at the bigger picture. David Schwartz highlights how thinking positive, dreaming big, and working hard can help you attain success. A must-read for motivation seekers, this book shows that if you think something is possible, it is.

4. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, by Phil Knight

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike is an engaging and inspiring book that gives deep insights into the thoughts, feelings, and challenges encountered by Phil Knight and the Nike founding team. The book takes you back to Nike’s startup days, giving us a rare glimpse of how the founder and team struggled against seemingly impossible odds and setbacks to build the company that we know today.

Phil retired as Nike’s CEO after 40 years in business and wanted to remind young entrepreneurs to never give up. The book is packed with insights and inspiration for those seeking their purpose in life.

5. Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person, by Shonda Rhimes

In Year of Yes, the creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal and executive producer of How to Get Away with Murder explains the powerful impact saying yes had on her life and how we can all change our lives by doing the same. Despite being a powerful face in Hollywood, Shonda Rhimes was an introvert who suffered from anxiety and panic attacks at the thought of doing media interviews. Instead of facing her fears, her first reaction was to say no to invitations when she was scared.

After some self-reflection, Shonda spent a year only saying yes. She shares the wealth of knowledge she has gained as well as tips for all those who recognize themselves in her struggle.

6. How to Calm Your Mind, by Chris Bailey

How to Calm Your Mind is a science-based book that helps guide readers to productivity during anxious times. Author Chris Bailey was consumed by stress, burnout, and exhaustion before he realized the importance of taking breaks and making time in his schedule to practice being calm. Chris discusses how finding calm and reducing mental load can lead to a more fulfilled life, and his book can help individuals looking to become more engaged and focused.

7. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … and It’s All Small Stuff, by Richard Carlson

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … and It’s All Small Stuff shows how to prevent the little things in your day-to-day life that drive you crazy. Author Richard Carlson reveals ways to remain calm in the midst of your hurried, stress-filled life. We often get so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget that small things like deadlines and arguments aren’t so important in the long run. This book is a reminder to put everything into perspective and live in the moment.

8. The Power of Moments, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

The Power of Moments is about why certain brief experiences can jolt, elevate, and change us as humans – and how we can learn to create these extraordinary moments in our personal lives and at work. Through research, experts have found that when we think about an experience, we ignore most of what happened in the situation and instead focus on a few particular moments.

If you are struggling to make a transition, Chip and Dan Heath’s book will help you to create a defining moment that draws a dividing line between “old you” and “new you.”

9. Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman

Thinking, Fast and Slow is a book by psychologist and economist Daniel Kahneman that examines two different “systems” we use for thinking and decision-making. The book explores how these two systems work and interact to influence our judgments, decisions, and choices. Understanding how you make decisions, as well as Daniel Kahneman’s practical examples, can help you evaluate and even improve your own thinking to make better decisions.

10. Eat That Frog!, by Brian Tracy

Eat That Frog! is another practical book to help students empower themselves to fight procrastination. The core idea is to start your work with the most challenging task – like eating a frog – to feel more productive and motivated. Brian Tracy doesn’t leave it at that, however, and offers numerous strategies for increasing productivity and prioritizing your time effectively. If you’re struggling with procrastination, this book can offer a step-by-step approach to put you in control.

11. You Can Win, by Shiv Khera

This international bestseller covers a wide range of topics: motivation, self-confidence, communication, goal setting, and leadership. The advice and strategies Shiv Khera provides can be helpful and motivational to anyone – students included – within various aspects of life and at any stage of life. You Can Win encourages readers to take responsibility for their own success and develop a positive attitude.

The Power of Reading Books as a Student

When you feel inspired to transform your life, it is common to also feel uncomfortable. Change can be painful, but the reward of going through change is significant. If you want to change your life, you will have to do things differently and pave a new path to get the results that you want. Books give you the opportunity to read the struggles others have overcome and give you the confidence that you can do the same.