Whether you are flying high after acing a test, or maybe down in the dumps after a rough study session, it’s always a good time for some inspiration. For whatever mood you are in, we’ve got some of our favorite motivational quotes for college students!
50 Motivational Quotes for College Students
For When You’re Feeling Directionless in Your College Career
When you’re not sure which way is up (or why you even signed up for that class), these quotes can help you take a deep breath and get back on track.
- “A little progress each day adds up to big results.” — Satya Nani
- “Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest when you haven’t planted.” — David Bly
- “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe
- “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” — Thomas Edison
- “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” — Malcolm X
For When You’re Battling Self-Doubt
It’s natural to have moments of doubt, but you have to keep believing in yourself—even if you just have to fake it at first. You are good enough and you’ve got this, and these wise words are here to help remind you of that.
- “Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do, and, at some point, you will.” — Venus Williams
- “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” — Suzy Kassem
- “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” — Alexander Graham Bell
- “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” — Zig Ziglar
- “The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.” — Walter Bagehot
For When You Feel Overwhelmed
Between tests, homework, and remembering to hydrate, it can feel like you’re carrying the world on your shoulders. When it’s all a bit much, just hit pause, regroup, and keep going with these quotes in mind.
- “Take it all one day at a time and enjoy the journey.” — Kristi Barlett
- “Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day-in and day-out.” — Robert Collier
- “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” — Nelson Mandela
- “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” — Vincent van Gogh
- “It’s not about perfect. It’s about effort.” — Jillian Michaels
For When You Need a Pep Talk
Even the hardest days don’t last forever. But we get it—sometimes you just need to be reminded. Here are five quotes that will tell you just that.
- “Every year, many, many stupid people graduate from college. And if they can do it, so can you.” — John Green
- “Every expert was once a beginner.” — Helen Hayes
- “Seventy percent of life is just showing up.” — Woody Allen
- “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” — Stephen King
- “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin
For When You’re Facing Failure
So, maybe things didn’t go as planned—that’s life. The good news? Failure isn’t the end of your story; it’s just a stop on the way to where you’re meant to be.
- “I’ve failed over and over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” — Michael Jordan
- “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” — Henry Ford
- “Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill
- “There is no secret to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” — General Colin Powell
- “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” — Albert Einstein
For When You Need Long-Term Motivation
While it’s easy to dream, staying motivated to actually reach those dreams can be tricky. Here are some reminders to give you a little push so that you can keep your eyes on the prize.
- “Your talents and abilities will improve over time, but for that, you have to start.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
- “Skill is only developed by hours and hours of work.” — Usain Bolt
- “Take control of your life. The instant you take control, interesting things will come to you.” — Douglas Adams
- “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” — Thomas Edison
- “Strive for progress, not perfection.” — Unknown
For When You’re Struggling To Stay Focused
Sometimes it’s TikTok and sometimes it’s just staring into space, but staying focused isn’t always easy. Let these quotes remind you why it’s important to tune out the world around you.
- “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” — Jim Rohn
- “Focus on being productive instead of busy.” — Tim Ferriss
- “The successful warrior is the average person with laser-like focus.” — Bruce Lee
- “You don’t find willpower, you create it.” — Unknown
- “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” — Henry David Thoreau
For When You Need Encouragement To Keep Going
Don’t give up—even if it feels like it would be easier to! You have what it takes to keep going and these quotes will bring a little boost of encouragement.
- “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” — Confucius
- “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” — Mary Anne Radmacher
- “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” — C.S. Lewis
- “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” — Les Brown
- “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” — Japanese Proverb
For When You’re Trying To Push Past Procrastination
Are you scrolling through your phone again even though it’s time to study? It happens to the best of us. When you’re ready to stop procrastinating, let these quotes be the inspiration to help you leave procrastination in the past.
- “Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” — Pablo Picasso
- “Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.” — Don Marquis
- “You may delay, but time will not.” — Benjamin Franklin
- “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” — Walt Disney
- “Dream big, but start small. The smallest step in the right direction can end up being the biggest step of your life.” — Unknown
For When You Need To Believe in the Bigger Picture
The day-in and day-out of life can weigh on you at times. So much so, you can sometimes forget why you’re doing all of this to begin with. Take a step back and let these quotes remind you of the future you are working towards.
- “The future depends on what you do today.” — Mahatma Gandhi
- “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” — Albert Schweitzer
- “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” — Steve Jobs
- “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” — Theodore Roosevelt
- “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt
Let Motivation Reign
If you can’t remember all of these motivational quotes, start by writing your favorites down on an index card to keep in your backpack. You can also put some on sticky notes for your bathroom mirror or create a vision board to have a visual representation that constantly reminds you of your goals and dreams. Keeping these positive affirmations close by during difficult times can help you achieve your educational goals without burning out. Just remember, every successful person didn’t achieve their goals overnight—they worked hard every day for years to build their lives. Revisit these motivational quotes often to stay motivated in any area of your life.
It’s no secret that college has its difficult moments, but everyone who graduates says it’s worth it. So, keep going even if it takes longer than usual or you have to take breaks. Before you know it, you’ll have gotten through the most difficult parts of your college career!
College Raptor is here for you! Check out these resources to help guide you through a successful college year.
