Smart Reads for College Students: 4 books that Guide, Motivate and Inspire
- Sarah Zeilstra
- Feb 24
- 5 min read
Smart Reads for College Students: 4 Books That Guide, Motivate and Inspire
📚 Its reading week here in Ontario - marking the halfway point in the Winter semester; a great time to share some reading recommendations.
Each step in the educational journey goes by in the blink of an eye, especially in college, and before we know it, the end of semester will be here. I encourage you to make a bit of time to zoom out from your academic readings and enjoy some nuggets of wisdom and inspiration from these resources.
These are just a few (of many) books that I’ve found to have a positive impact and valuable support for college and college bound students.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
First up, The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch is a powerful and inspiring book based on the real-life lecture he gave after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
🎓 A computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, Pausch used his “last lecture” to share life lessons on achieving childhood dreams, embracing curiosity, and focusing on what truly matters.
With warmth, humour, and wisdom, he encourages readers—especially students—to cultivate resilience, work hard, and find joy in learning.
I love the messages he conveys:
🍀 Luck is where preparation meets opportunity
🧱 Brick walls are not there to keep us out, but to give us opportunity to show how badly we want something
🗝 Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want, and
experience can be the most valuable thing you have to offer
⏰ A key question to keep asking is, are you spending time on the right
things? Because time is all we have
A must-read for college students navigating challenges, reminding them to dream big, persist through obstacles, and make the most of every opportunity.
Your New Playlist by Jon Acuff
I'm a firm believer that mindset develops skillset, and this next book certainly helps in navigating the negative narrative in our heads. Or as in Jon Acuff’s words, replacing the broken soundtracks.
Jon Acuff wrote Soundtracks - The Surprising Solution to Overthinking and followed this up with a version written for young adults/college students with his two daughters, titled Your New Playlist. The Student's Guide to Tapping into the Superpower of Mindset.
A practical, engaging guide to reshaping the way we think Acuff explores the power of the thoughts—or "soundtracks"—we play on repeat in our minds and how they influence our success, confidence, and motivation.
Geared toward students and young adults, the book provides actionable strategies for replacing negative self-talk with productive, growth-oriented beliefs.
With humour, real-life examples, and science-backed insights, Acuff empowers students to take control of their mindset, break free from self-doubt, and create a mental playlist that sets them up for success in college and beyond.
Something we dive into in my courseload management coaching
The Miracle Morning for College Students by Hal Elrod
This is a game-changer for students looking to take control of their time, energy, and mindset.
This book adapts Elrod’s popular Miracle Morning routine to the unique challenges of college life, offering a step-by-step framework for starting each day with purpose and productivity.
By focusing on six key practices—Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing (SAVERS)—students can improve focus, reduce stress, and build habits that set them up for success.
Practical, motivating, and filled with real-life examples, this book is perfect for students who want to maximize their potential and make the most of their college experience.
Since reading The Miracle Morning I've established multiple versions of the framework for different seasons of life, all of which have elevated my mindset, habits, and focus.
Simon Sinek challenges readers to think differently about leadership, motivation, and success. He argues that the most influential people and organizations don’t just focus on what they do or how they do it—they start with why.
Though his book focuses on the business world, his Golden Circle framework is a great approach for college students to adopt for their education and life beyond.
By identifying and embracing their core purpose, individuals can inspire others, make better decisions, and stay motivated through challenges.
For college students, this book is a powerful guide to clarifying their goals, making intentional career choices, and developing leadership skills that will serve them long after graduation.
？Thought-provoking and deeply inspiring, Start with Why is a must-read for students looking to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact. Check out this post on Why we go to college
Final Thoughts
💡 Taking some time and reading non-academic books will benefit you in so many ways. It’s not only about acquiring knowledge, but cultivating positive habits, changing your perspective, nurturing personal growth, and broadening your mindset.
Reading these books can help you build critical thinking ability, emotional intelligence and encourage a broader understanding of the world around you.
Happy reading!
And enjoy your reading week for those who have it.
Sarah
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Have a great Week!
Sarah
About the author
Founder of Student Success Coaching, and creator of the Courseload Management Coaching Program, Sarah Zeilstra brings over 25 years of experience to the forefront of higher education, specializing in empowering students to master their college experience. With a dynamic blend of expertise as a professor, coach, and speaker, she has become a trusted mentor and advocate for post-secondary learners. Sarah is renowned for her innovative and personalized approach to teaching, which focuses on fostering internal accountability, enabling students to confidently tackle their academic workload and mitigate stress. Her dedication to student success goes beyond the classroom as she continues to refine transformative strategies tailored to the unique challenges of college life. Sarah's philosophy that a positive mindset catalyzes the development of skill sets shines through her mentorship, as she works tirelessly to guide students towards unlocking their full potential. Her passion for education and commitment to her students' achievements make her an invaluable guide in the journey towards academic and personal growth.
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