Last updated on November 18th, 2022 at 07:55 pm
The secret to success:
You are your greatest investment.
This post is all about books that every college student should read! Each highlights different aspects of personal growth, but they will all get you closer to having a better overall college experience if you read them and really internalize the information.
Remember, information alone does not cause transformation. It is the APPLICATION of that information that will change your life!
When I began my college journey 9 years ago, I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I had read Dr. Ben Carson’s book Gifted Hands and admired the way his education allowed him to rise against all odds and become one of the most respected neurosurgeons in the world. Being raised in public housing apartments and struggling with my own identity at the time, his story made me believe that there was a way out.
What most millionaires have in common...
Entrepreneur and multimillionaire, Jim Rohn, often stated, “A book can save you 5 years.” I have yet to read a truer statement! Additionally, a survey among the wealthiest people in the United States showed that most successful people have one thing in common: they read.
Learn from those who have gone before you.
Even if your plans aren’t to become a millionaire or entrepreneur, if you want to be successful at any path you pursue, then it is important to learn from those who have gone before you. Use their wisdom and insight to catapult you to a brighter future and save yourself YEARS of mistakes in the process.
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1. Psycho-Cybernetics
Author: Maxwell Maltz
Focus Areas: improved Self-image, goal-achievement strategies, & building confidence
You are always growing in awareness.
Being a college student is a very weird time, both developmentally and socially. Not only are you trying to discover who you want to be in this life, but you are also dealing with the external pressure of trying to have all the answers.
Spoiler alert! No one has all the answers. No matter how old you are, the journey of self-discovery is never-ending. That is the beauty of it. At any moment in time, you can decide to completely transform your life.
Your job in college isn’t to have all the answers but to learn how to ask the right questions that get you closer to your own Truth.
books that every college student should read must support their developmental journey.
Psycho-Cybernetics is one of those books that open your eyes to a world of possibilities. Before reading this book, I had no idea how the human mind worked as far as the importance of setting goals. I was operating out of what Napoleon Hill refers to as “unconscious competence” in his book Think and Grow Rich (another bonus gem).
building self-confidence takes time.
Discovering who you are and becoming confident and all that you are takes time! You won’t figure it out all at once. However, reading books like this one can help guide you on your path of self-empowerment.
If you are more of an audiobook person, then the full book is also available on YouTube for FREE! Dedicate yourself to listening to the first 15 minutes and already you will discover something that you hadn’t known before.
2. Rich dad poor dad
Author: Robert Kiyosaki
Focus areas: financial literacy, self-confidence, & entrepreneurship
Why you should think about building financial literacy as a college student...
Let’s be honest, building financial literacy isn’t something most college students think about. But if you start now, it will already set you ahead of the crowd by lightyears. We learn our financial habits from our parents, who learned theirs from their parents.
I stated previously that I was born into poverty and grew up on government assistance with 9 other siblings. My relationship with money was one of scarcity.
No matter how much money I would receive (in scholarships or from the many service jobs I had while an undergrad), I always feared that it would run out.
Reading books that built and improved my money blueprint, like Rich Dad Poor Dad, saved me from this harmful scarcity mindset. It can do the same for you.
Build financial literacy using what you have now.
Yes, as a college student you barely have enough money to manage, but if you learn these skills while you have a little, they will serve you after you graduate and get that awesome job (I am rooting for you!) or create your dream job as an entrepreneur.
The possibilities are endless, honestly. Building financial literacy helps you better understand what is available to you.
Assets vs. liabilities
The book is very easy to read, and if you walk away learning one thing, you will at least know more than you knew before. My biggest takeaway from this book was learning the difference between an asset and a liability.
That alone helped me improve my finances and is setting me on the path to financial freedom.
People ask me all the time how I can afford to travel while being a student. This book will answer that question.
3. The Power of Positive Thinking
Author: Norman Vincent Peale
Focus areas: Improved mindset toward life & personal growth
You become what you think about all day long.
Last but definitely not least, this is a powerful book that every PERSON should read, even if you aren't in school!
Growing up, my dad always said that “attitude is latitude.” Now, at the time, I had no idea what he meant by that, but as I became older and better understood the power of our thoughts, it made total sense.
The truth is, that philosophers, theologians, spiritual teachers, etc., have disagreed on many topics throughout human consciousness. However, they have all agreed on one extraordinary concept: Your habitual thoughts determine the life you live.
Develop the skill of positive thinking early in life.
Developing the skill of positive thinking isn’t the end goal but it’s a great first step toward improving your mindset. Peale is an excellent writer and does a great job of connecting with his readers.
Having this book on my bookshelf alone made me feel better about who I was. It showed that I was willing to invest in myself now so that I could have a better future.
Our ignorance is our greatest obstacle.
Every time I join masterminds (groups of people who come together to collaborate on an idea or project) I always meet someone who says that they wish they had this information sooner.
I mention this in my previous blog post, 7 Important Things No One Ever Teaches You In College, but our ignorance is our greatest obstacle.
Become aware of who you are if you want to know others.
I hope you found this blog post about books that every college student should read helpful on your academic journey! Remember, you are your greatest investment. Happy reading!!
i want to hear from you!
Let me know which book stands out the most to you, or what areas you need the most support in as a college student.
I can’t show you THE way, but I can show you a way.
Improving yourself now is the greatest investment you could ever make. Investing doesn’t always have to be financial. Commit to a brighter future by investing in your personal development today and reading something that will help you discover your greatness within.
This information changed my life for the better and hopefully, it can do the same for you.
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