Hey, students—we know how hard you work hard during the school year and we know it isn't easy to squeeze in some self care or personal development time between homework, extracurriculars, and a busy class schedule. If you're struggling to balance it all, feeling burned out, or just trying to figure out your purpose in life, these listens might be able to help. Full of guidance and practical tips on a myriad of issues students face, from getting organized to managing a relaxation routine, this list is a must for any student looking to improve their life—both in and out of the classroom.
Audiobooks About Life Guidance
Habit drives so much more than we realize. While building good habits can be beneficial in our lives, bad habits can derail us from our dreams and goals. Mike Chamberlain narrates this fascinating deep dive into the science of habit and how it influences and informs everything from sports tournaments to social justice movements, and how we can harness the power of habit for success in our own lives.
In this Audible Original, fan-favorite Jeopardy! champ Buzzy Cohen looks at his nine-game winning streak on the trivia show and how he got there. Cohen maintains he's not smarter than any other contestant. His secret: fanatical preparation! Narrating his audiobook, the author shares how his approach to getting ready for big moments can be applied to anything you set your mind to, whether it's getting on Jeopardy! or nailing an interview for your dream job.
Effective communication may be viewed as a "soft" skill, but it's vital if you want to succeed in academics or in business. Most of us aren't taught how to communicate with our peers—we're expected to pick up these skills on our own. If you've struggled with making small talk or knowing what to say in certain situations, this audiobook will give you the tools you need to be a better communicator, which in turn will help you succeed in all areas of life.
Dan Lerner and Alan Schlechter are the professors who teach NYU's most popular elective course, Science of Happiness, and they're especially keyed into the unique difficulties college students face. In this audiobook, they've distilled everything they know, from research and real-life, about reducing stress, achieving excellence, and finding fulfillment to help new students navigate the daunting and dizzying challenges of their freshman year. Narrated by the two professors with empathy and humor, U Thrive is listening 101 for anyone who's heading off to college.
"What the heck am I even doing with my life?" That's a question so many of us ask ourselves every single day. But it’s especially hard to stay motivated in school if you're not really certain of your purpose in life or any general direction. In this Audible Original, Professor Christine B. Whelan approaches the topic of finding your purpose with a mix of academic research and probing questions that listeners can engage with to define their own paths. There are 10 empowering lectures on this journey, and by the end of them, you're sure to have a clearer path forward in your studies and your life goals.
Do you struggle with anxiety? Does the idea of interacting with your peers make you feel uncertain or frightened? For better or worse, being in school is a social experience we all have to weather—but if you're stressed about it, this audiobook will help you learn how to become a better communicator and gain self-confidence. Sheila McLey will reassure you and guide you through exercises and lessons in building self-esteem so you can connect with others, make a positive impression, and be your best self, at home and at school.
Written by a Stanford student advisor and dean, Your Turn is a fantastic look at what it means to be an adult—psychologically, legally, and socially. While the concepts and ideals of adulthood have evolved over time, the confusion and angst over growing up is universal. And in this listen, written and narrated by best-selling author Julie Lythcott-Haims, you'll discover why being an adult is less about achieving certain benchmarks than learning how to navigate the world.
Audiobooks About Study Skills
Want to get your grades up in order to achieve recognition, scholarship funds, or just to thrive in your field? How to Become a Straight-A Student is an essential audiobook, full of hands-on, practical advice for studying better and managing your time more effectively. Author Cal Newport argues that you don't have to be the smartest in the classroom to get straight A's, but you do need to learn how to study and retain knowledge. Johnathan McLain narrates this valuable listen.
It can be difficult to be productive when you're exhausted after a long day of classes and work… and, of course, you still want to have a social life. Managing and maximizing your productivity is crucial to your success as a student, and that starts with understanding when you're most productive. Luckily, productivity expert Chris Bailey has done a wealth of experiments and interviews on the subject. In The Productivity Project, he shares how he's tried every trick out there, what he learned about himself and productivity through countless exercises, and how he recommends you structure your days to get the most done in the time you're given.
Don't do all of your reading.
Never pull an all-nighter.
Drop classes every term.
These are just a few of the secrets awaiting you in How to Win at College, a compilation of revelations based on interviews with successful students at top colleges and universities across the country. Ranging from study skills advice to practical guidance on how to balance classes and social settings, Cal Newport lets you in on lots of startling but incredibly useful tips for making the best of college.
Writing well is the foundation of every job, field, and career path—that's because effective communication is important, no matter what you end up doing. However, many of us don't love our mandatory English classes. If you want some simple, bite-sized lessons to improve your writing skills and impress your English teachers, this quick and easy guide will lead you through 55 strategies and tips to become a better writer today. Neil Kaplan narrates this straightforward and useful audiobook.
Audiobooks About Self-Care
Starting college is daunting, but The Freshman Survival Guide has your back! Co-authored by experienced youth counselor Nora Bradbury-Haehl, this resource covers everything from study skills to making friends and joining new groups to dealing with the stress of being on your own and learning how to live and work with others. Courtney Patterson narrates this practical and reassuring listen, which will help you make informed and healthy decisions to thrive in your new college life.
What makes you happy? When all of your focus is on pursuing your degree and launching your career, it can be easy to lose sight of your own well-being and happiness. Walmart executive and successful businessman Neil Pasricha came up with the happiness equation, which boils down to “want nothing + do anything = have everything.” Sound counterintuitive? Listen to the author himself narrate how he came to this surprising and enlightening equation, and how it made all the difference for him.
Mental health difficulties are exacerbated by stress, and, as we all know, school can be extremely stressful. If you're struggling to get a grip on your headspace and don't know where to turn, Daniel Howell is here to help. Written in consultation with a qualified psychologist, this engaging, no-nonsense guide gives you the tools to understand your mind, take small steps to change your thoughts and actions, and make a long-term plan to keep you thinking clearly, feeling in control, and, even in your darkest times, holding onto hope.
The busier we get, the more pressure we put on ourselves, and the closer we get to burnout. In this groundbreaking guide, sisters Emily and Amelia Nagoski talk about how stress affects women especially and how to break out of the cycle of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Narrating their own work with compassion and optimism, the authors offer prescriptive, science-based advice and simple exercises to help you return your body to a state of relaxation, shield your mind from frustration, recognize when you've reached the point of too much to handle, and know that you are enough, just as you are.
Audiobooks About the College Experience
Looking for a listen about the transformative power of education? In her best-selling memoir, Tara Westover tells the astounding true story of how she grew up isolated in the backwoods of Idaho, raised by fanatical survivalists who not only refused to send her to school but never registered her for a birth certificate. She was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. When Tara finally made her escape and went to college, she was overwhelmed by all she didn't know—from the Holocaust to how modern medicine works—but it lit a fire in her to pursue an education, even at the risk of betraying her family. Educated is a memorable and moving memoir, brilliantly narrated by award-winning narrator Julia Whelan.
Marina Keegan was tragically killed in a car accident days after she graduated magna cum laude from Yale. A collection of her writing while she was a college student, The Opposite of Loneliness is a mix of fiction and nonfiction that reflects Keegan's curious nature and the hope, uncertainty, and possibility of her generation, as well as her remarkable talent. This audiobook, narrated by Emily Woo Zeller, includes thoughtful rumination on the purpose of life, and a peek into the inner lives of college students.
No matter where you are in your educational journey, if you need a jolt of wisdom and humor, then turn to Gilmore Girls actress and author Lauren Graham. In this short but powerful listen, which she performs, Graham expands on the 2017 commencement speech she gave at her hometown high school to remind all students to be curious and compassionate, always and everywhere, and to remember that the pursuit of their dreams should include the pursuit of joy. In Conclusion, Don't Worry About It pretty much says it all.
