3 Must Read Books For Students

I get asked for book recommendations a lot, which is great. The beauty of books is that they further you. Whether it’s a compelling autobiography, pop-psych bestseller, or classic novel, every book has the potential to refine you. Every page read helps you understand the world a little better. 

So given my audience is predominately made up of students I thought I’d share three recommendations I know can help every student in some capacity.

These are books I’m happy to say have changed my life for the better. The key takeaways and learnings have remoulded my way of thinking and behaving. They’ve stopped me from getting complacent and they’ve made me asked myself serious questions about who I am- something that is a must if one is to grow into the person they want to become.

I’ve kept this brief because I want you to just go out there and read them for yourselves. 

Here they are-

The Obstacle is the Way- Ryan Holiday

This is a book I read shortly after graduating from my undergraduate. I immediately wished I had found it sooner. 

This is a compelling book that no review could do justice for its utter brilliance.

After the first chapter I recall being astounded at what I was reading. This Ryan Holiday guy had somehow blended stoic philosophy with captivating case studies of triumph, in a way that made almost every sentence resonate to the depths of my thought process.

I decided to google this guy. I had a clear image in my mind of a striking and assured man in his mid-sixties. It turned out this guy was in his late twenties and had written this book when he was 25. I encourage you to explore him further, you will be amazed and deeply jealous of what this man has achieved by the age of 30. 

Anyway, for students, I believe this book will teach you the following lesson:

You’re not allowed to complain when you’ve put yourself in the situation that leads to pain or discomfort.

“It’s so unfair, I've got so much work to do”.

“I’m absolutely hating this essay now”.

“I’m so stressed about exams”.

Read this book and you will realise how stupid and embarrassing the above statements really are. You chose to do this. You knew it would require work. You knew it would be hard. 

Yes, it is tough and yes, essays/exams come with pressure. But it is naive to not expect that.

Don’t complain when the obstacle shows itself. 

Key quote-

“Just because your mind tells you that something is awful or evil or unplanned or otherwise negative doesn’t mean you have to agree. Just because other people say that something is hopeless or crazy or broken to pieces doesn’t mean it is. We decide what story to tell ourselves.” 

Deep Work- Cal Newport

The Number 1 barrier to productive study I’ve repeatedly come across in interacting with students is being continuously distracted or unable to concentrate for any decent period of time. 

Cal Newport is the GOAT when it comes to productivity and study hacks. And “Deep Work” is one of the most eye-opening books you’ll ever read.

Central to his argument is that the age of constant connectivity and perpetual distraction has lessened our ability to engage in deep work- “professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit”. 

Deep work is that trancelike state whereby you become one with the task at hand. 

And the problem is, for most students, their phones are forever inches from hand. Most ‘studying’ today can be called ‘shallow work’, which is fine, if you don’t want to understand content, memorise it, and also be able to make intelligent reformulations of it. 

Studies show deep work is on the decline and that we’re moving towards a cultural ADHD. This is an issue given every major feat of human accomplishment has come from deep work. 

A masterpiece, game-changing business, or life-saving medical discovery doesn’t come from checking the Gram every 18 minutes. 

Key quote- 

“We live in an era where anything Internet related is understood by default to be innovative and necessary. Depth-destroying behaviours such as immediate e-mail responses and an active social media presence are lauded, while avoidance of these trends generates suspicion."

 The Defining Decade- Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now- Meg Jay

I read this very recently. It’s a wake-up call more than anything.

A lot of students are not even in their twenties or have just entered them. But this book WILL give you a fantastic perspective to best navigate them. This is incredibly important given what happens in your twenties largely dictates much of what happens to you for the rest of your life in terms of work, love/relationships, and long-term health.

Meg Jay is a clinical psychologist who specialises in adult development and the book centres on the imperative need for young people to reclaim their twenties and recognise this period of life as the time to, for want of better words, get one's shit together. 

It’s a compelling account of psychological theory (written in lay terms) interwoven with dialogue from therapy sessions between herself and her patients. 

From reading Jay’s account, you will have a renewed sense of purpose and much better idea of how to pilot this decade that has become trivialised by media and seemingly loathed by anyone above the age of 35. 

Definitely one for anyone who’s sick of being called the ‘snowflake’ generation of entitlement. 

Key quote- 

“In almost all areas of development, there is what is called a critical period, a time when we are primed for growth and change, when simple exposure can lead to dramatic transformation…. The twenties are the critical period of adulthood. These are the years when it will be easier to start the lives we want. And no matter what we do, the twenties are an inflection point, the great reorganization- a time when the experience we have disproportionately influence the adult lives we will lead."

Summary

These are books that I’ve found to be both thoroughly enjoyable and practical. I really believe that we’re all lost and all seek any form of guidance to help us find our way in life. And these books will help you with just that.

Let me know what you think of them and if you have any other recommendations. 

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