It’s so important to take time for self-development, whether during the college years or not. A good read can help you learn more about yourself and grow into your own person!
Check out these best self-help books for college students on my list of favorites.
They’re sure to inspire any young adult who needs an extra boost in life skills like studying hard, staying organized at home/in class (or both), managing stress better than ever before…and much more.
You may also like:
1. 10 Best Self Help Books for Teenage Girls
2. 20 Best Books on Being Positive and Happy
The Self Help Book: 6 Practical Ways to Never Stop Growing
The Self-Help Book is a short and insightful guide that will help you to never stop growing, no matter where in life you are.
The six processes covered within this book include confidence; competence (or skills); clarity about oneself through understanding who one really wants or needs themselves to become – finding out what character traits they want most from their lives now as well as down the line; connections made with others due to both online or offline, etc.; commitment towards achieving these goals because nothing worthwhile comes easy!
This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to make the most of their potential during college. It provides valuable advice and insight that will help you get everything out of this experience, such as making connections with others on campus or developing an entrepreneurial mindset!
The wonderful thing about it?
You can read whatever chapter helps address any issue right then – no need to wait until some future date when your life may be completely different than what it currently seems like now (hopefully more successful!).
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos is a self-help book written by Canadian clinical psychologist, Youtube personality, and Professor Jordan B. Peterson.
It takes the 12 laws in the Bible (10 Commandments + 12 Duties of Kings) and applies them to modern life. The 12 rules are as follows:
- Stand up straight with your shoulders back.
- Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping.
- Make friends with people who want the best for you.
- Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not someone else today.
- Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them.
- Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world.
- Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient).
- Tell the truth – or, at least, don’t lie.
- Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t
Be precise in your speech. - Do not bother children when they are skateboarding.
- Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street.
- Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient).
At the start of each chapter, Peterson provides anecdotes about how he came across that rule in his life and then goes into detail about it.
12 Rules for Life is Peterson’s best-selling book with over 5 million copies sold.
The book received positive reviews from Publishers Weekly, The New Yorker, and The Globe and Mail in addition to receiving a number of major awards including the 2017 National Business Book Award.
You Are a Badass
You are a bad-ass. No, really – you’re the amazing, incredible type of person who doesn’t need to convince themselves anymore because your heart knows what’s true for it! Jen Sincero says so in her new book “You Are A Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life.”
With 27 bite-sized chapters packed full advice on how not to live an unawesome life–from identifying self-destructive beliefs and habits all way up until changing them using proven methods that work like magic (no really).
After reading this book, you will be able to understand yourself better. You’ll also learn how different aspects of your personality affect what success means for you and the kind of person that makes up YOUR unique self!
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman challenges you to look at the way your brain works.
This book will make readers think about their own biases they may have not realized before which can be difficult for college students trying to overcome them with hard work.
The following passage discusses the thinking process in more detail: “One’s sense of bias is inevitable; however determining its influence on decision making might require some effort.”
It also encourages people who read this text- whether it’s an individual or group discussion–to analyze how much input each major perspective (such as expertise) weighs during judgment processes so individuals don’t rely solely on one source but use all available resources when making decisions.
“Don’t trust your instincts!” That’s the message of this book. You know, that thing where you just have an idea and act on it without thinking about what might be best for YOU in the long-term or short term?
Well…we can’t always do that! The author outlines two systems which drive our decisions: one fast (our intuitive system) and emotional; another slower but more logical process driven by deliberation – not impulse.”
This form of slower thinking will help you make better decisions in both your business and personal life.
It’s a book every critical-thinking student needs to read, so they can judge their own method for thought; remove any biases keeping them back from clear judgments about what is right or wrong – whether it be with regard to work at home school assignments…even relationships!
I’ll Be Happy When… : How to Lift the Happiness Curse from your Life
The pursuit of happiness is usually an elusive one. We think that once we have it, everything will finally feel right and all our troubles lost in the sands of time when they are really just around the corner waiting for us with open arms.
But this never quite works out as planned, does it?
Jared Springer talks about how he was chasing after his idea for what makes him happy only to realize eventually- surprise! Surprise!!
Happiness isn’t something you can find. Rather it’s within yourself already if given even a little bit more self-awareness on how powerful your life’s decisions truly are towards making sure those moments last forever.
The author’s journey to becoming a multi-millionaire and the search for happiness is told in this book.
He kept pushing his boundaries further than before, thinking that each new achievement would bring him true joy when instead nothing could fill that void inside of himself.
This book helps you define your own sense of fulfillment through an exploration into what makes someone happy: not just having everything but feeling content in life too!
Shoot Your Shot: A Sport-Inspired Guide To Living Your Best Life
Shoot Your Shot: A Sport-Inspired Guide To Living Your Best Life is a self-help book for sports lovers and those who need help achieving their goals in college or after.
The author has taken four chapters from basketball games and translated them into advice on how we can better ourselves as individuals so that success will not only happen at the sporting field but also off it too!
He starts off with one simple message: “We all have two lives–the ‘front’ person we show to everyone around us (family/friends), which may involve putting up certain personality traits such as honesty; then there’s our ‘backstage’, private side.”
This book explained the journey through the life of notable figures like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and more.
The book will take you on an exploration into what it takes to become one of these successful people; from their thoughts on achieving greatness all while keeping your sanity in check with some fun anecdotes along the way!
This book will help you reach your goals. It’s full of stories from people who have done it before, and given insight on how they did it so that we can all learn from their success!
101 Secrets for Your Twenties
The best and worst thing about being a young person is that it can be both great, but confusing too.
This book helps you navigate through those challenges in your early twenties like finding yourself as an adult with responsibilities for the first time ever!
It covers topics such break-ups from all angles including how to handle them when things don’t work out well between friends or family members either way–the tough job interviews; figuring out what future career path suits my personality best against other variables…
It has everything anyone needs to know before starting these next few years of their life on track!!!!
I can’t think of a better gift for your nineteenth birthday!
This book is so entertaining and informative, with 101 Secrets That Will Make You Happier in your Twenties.
I know it’s not much to go off on such an important year but trust me- this treasure trove will help take all those twenty-something troubles away while making life more fun during these trying times ahead too.
The Last Lecture
For most of us, a “last lecture” means the end of another school year.
But for Randy Pausch it was different. He knew he had terminal cancer and this would be his final class presentation before passing away.
So what could possibly make up such an important event?
Read one man’s story about how humor helped him go out on top; laugh-cry all you want because there is no other way to describe reading anecdotes from the professor who teaches at Carnegie Mellon University’s graduate program in computer science (and author many books).
“We are the luckiest people in the world because each day is a gift, and we can choose how to use our time.” – Randy Pausch
This book will make you realize that no matter what your situation maybe there’s always something positive about it.
This quote helped me on days where everything just feels negative or wrong with my life!
The author uses creative ways of saying things which makes his points easier for everyone else who might pick up this guide as well.
Everybody, Always
Bob Goff’s newest self-help book is more than just a feel-good read.
It’s about how to live life and love like you have never been hurt before, or at least it will make people who are feeling down realize there’s always something worth smiling for in difficult times!
With stories ranging from bullies getting beat up by their moms on the school bus all of the ways through marriage disasters that left one person dead (no joke!).
This informative volume offers helpful advice such as learning why we react differently during tough situations; finding courage within ourselves even when faced with terrorizing circumstances outside our control–and most importantly: not letting anyone change us into someone other than ourselves.
You wouldn’t think that a book about witch doctors in Uganda would be your typical fare, but this one will have you eagerly embracing the world around you.
It’s filled with stories and information on all things magical!
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
This book is the go-to for anyone looking to make lasting changes in their life.
It offers practical advice on how we can change our habits and live better lives, no matter what field of study you pursue!
The writing style makes it an easy read that will keep your attention from page one all the way until chapter nine when Stephen Covey finally reveals his secret weapon: “The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People.”
This list teaches readers about amazing tools like “Habit 1 – Be Proactive” which helps us identify problems before they become disasters so as not to have any regrets later down the road.
Plus there are plenty more valuable lessons waiting inside this little package called ‘The 7.
This book is a must for anyone who wants to take control of their life and be more successful.
It offers helpful advice that can help you in any situation, no matter what stage your career or personal development may currently be at.
Girl, Wash Your Face
Rachel Hollis is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and best-selling author. If she can do it then so can you!
In her book Girl Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are (so That You Can Become) which was written with women in mind but any man could enjoy this great read too.
Rachel discusses everything from how to handle rejection gracefully when emulating our high school cheerleading coach becomes impossible because we’re not getting enough practice time–to “keep on keepin’ on like its no big deal” during tough times such as major surgery or job loss –all while still remaining true friends who lift each other up instead of tearing down all along their journey.”
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Carnegie’s famous book, How to Win Friends and Influence People has been around for decades.
It’s still as popular today with business leaders who want success in their professional lives like it was back then!
This self-help classic will teach you everything from making friends easily all the way up through being influential at work or home – even if that means getting along better with parents!
You’ll be reaching for this one more often than not because there are so many helpful ideas within its pages:)
Adulting: How to Become a Grown-Up in 535 Easy(ish) Steps
While the basic definition of “adulting” (doing things like jobs and laundry and grocery shopping) hasn’t changed, the way we go about it certainly has.
Featuring insights–drawn from interviews with hundreds of adults to get a sense for what they think makes them grown-ups–alongside advice culled from 75 years worth of books geared at this age group, adulting is the go-to guide for someone who might be feeling stuck in their 20’s, 30’s or 40’s.
Thoughtful yet irreverent, clinical yet compassionate, Adulting will have readers nodding along as they recognize themselves among these reflections on being an adult in modern times.”
Small Move, Big Change
Small Move Big Change: Using Microresolutions to Transform Your Life Permanently is a handbook for anyone looking to make big changes, but feeling like it’s too hard and needs to be put on the back burner.
Inspired by “best-selling series and ultimate box set” Small Move Big Change offers advice from those who’ve succeeded in making those changes as well as those still struggling along the way.
Especially important is that life coach that provides helpful guidance through their personal story of having lost 60 pounds, Jasmine that shares her thoughts on marriage (having been divorced twice), wrestler Baron who talks about transitioning from being a lesbian to being a man, Rory who overcame childhood bullying and now makes motivational videos for other kids going through what he did – plus so many more moving stories! Beyond successful interviews.
The Happiness Project
The Happiness Project: Transforming and Succeeding in Life and Work is a book by former Harvard University professor and popular talk show host, Gretchen Rubin.
The Happiness Project shares Rubin’s personal pursuit for happiness as she spends the whole year of 2008 focused on each “Happiness undertaking” such as exercise or eating well.
Readers will find themselves challenged to change their life habits just like Rubin did with her own experiments to find contentment.
Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes Into Stepping Stones for Success
“Failing Forward” was written by author Johnny Wimbrey, whose own hard-won failures have left him excelling in the world of business.
The book’s success speaks to what it takes to succeed, even when you receive bad news or disappointments.
You can learn how not to be discouraged by mistakes but rather use them as stepping stones for future successes.
This informative guide serves as a life map that will help you live up to your destiny with grit and humility―we call this “carefully neglectful optimism.”
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
This book is an inspiring handbook on time management, organization, and productivity.
It includes self-assessments, practical strategies to make common problems easier to tackle, case studies of the author’s acquaintances who have found success in different ways of dealing with workloads and deadlines.
All in a motivating question-answer format that will help readers get organized without feeling overwhelmed.
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
Tim always felt that being a “kept citizen” was never right, but couldn’t seem to break out of the cycle. That is until he discovered the 4-Hour Workweek.
What would it be like if you could live anywhere in the world? What would happen if work were no longer necessary for survival?
Now with this book, you can make your dreams come true, and achieve unlimited freedom with fewer than 20 hours per week!
With its revolutionary insight into living life amongst the New Rich – how they think, act, and thrive in specific circumstances.
Tim will show anyone who wants more time or money in their life why there’s no need to keep struggling anymore when it comes to having an exciting retirement…
Rich Dad, Poor Dad
If you’ve always wondered why your time is worth so little, here’s the answer.
Billionaire Robert Kiyosaki explains how the rich really get rich and poor folks to stay with nothing but their hard work.
The book Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money – That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not! mainly addresses what to do with the money when one has it, how much power it can have in life.
Also discusses earning money (“Find Something You Love To Do And Put Your Whole Heart Into Doing It”), investing (giving oneself an “education” in stocks), understanding taxes (pointing out that less than 1% of people in America pay any income taxes at all), good debt vs bad debt (good debt allows our government or business to expand while allowing individual citizens or taxpayers to buy a home) and credit cards.
The Attention Revolution: Unlocking the Power of the Focused Mind
You deserve some peace and quiet. For yourself. for your kids.
When you feel stressed, anxious, frustrated, or just plain overwhelmed by life’s challenges—pop on The Attention Revolution: Unlocking the Power of the Focused Mind for a quick read of this illuminating book by Rick Hanson Ph.D.
You’ll be surprised how easy it is to tap into one powerful key to sharpen your attention, relieve mental stress, and manifest more joy in our lives with “sweeping practice” meditations that improve clarity, focus, and access to natural deep contentment without any side effects!
The best self-help books for college students are not reserved for the elite few. If you’re willing to put in some work, these 20 can help transform your life and make it more fulfilling than ever before!
