20 Motivational Quotes for Student Success
Graduate school is hard work and it can be difficult to keep your motivation through the long haul. Setbacks, stress, and deadlines are all expected on the road to graduate student success. Maybe you are in the middle of the semester and feeling overwhelmed. Maybe you have just finished a semester and are dizzy with exhaustion. Maybe you’ve had a setback and are trying to get back into the swing of things. Maybe you’re doing ok but have a friend who is struggling with their motivation for student success.
Regardless of the circumstances, everyone sometimes needs a reminder of the reasons we become graduate students in the first place and an outside perspective on what is really important. So, if you are feeling a little lost in graduate school or lacking the drive to get going for the day, I’ve curated this list of 20 Motivational Quotes for Student Success to give yourself the boost you need to get through another day.
I’ve broken this list into four sections that many students struggle with: Remembering The Joy of Learning, Overcoming Self-Doubt, Coming Back from a Setback, and Perseverance for the Long Haul.
Without further ado, here are 20 Motivational Quotes for Student Success.
Quotes About the Joy of Learning
In the hustle and bustle of graduate school, it can be easy to forget why we decided to become graduate students in the first place. As you read through these motivational quotes for student success, think about your reasons for applying to graduate school and the joy you feel when you learn something new.
“The very least thing one should learn at the university is how to reach new knowledge.” ― Osman Doluca
“I am sure my fellow-scientists will agree with me if I say that whatever we were able to achieve in our later years had its origin in the experiences of our youth and in the hopes and wishes which were formed before and during our time as students.” ― Felix Bloch
“From good examples we learn how to be. From bad examples we learn how not to be. An observant and willing student can learn from any circumstance.”― Richelle E. Goodrich
“Learn everything. Fill your mind with knowledge—it’s the only kind of power no one can take away from you.” ― Min Jin Lee
“The only thing that compounds faster than interest is learning.” ― Orrin Woodward
Motivational Quotes for Overcoming Self Doubt
Self-doubt among graduate students is common. Sometimes we look around and think everyone else is finding it easier and doing it better. That can make us wonder if we really belong in graduate school. It’s important to remind yourself not to compare yourself to others. It may look like it’s coming easier to them, but they aren’t necessarily advertising their own challenges. When you find yourself filled with self-doubt and unsure if you can succeed, come back to these motivational quotes for student success and remember that everyone has their own challenges, and you need to keep facing yours.
Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, “I’m possible!” ― Audrey Hepburn
The expert in everything was once a beginner.” ― Helen Hayes
“Every single important thing we do is something we didn’t used to be good at, and in fact, might be something we used to fear.” ― Seth Godin
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” ― William Shakespeare
“You do not need to pay attention to those voices within you that create pain or make you feel less competent, smart or able.” ― Sanaya Roman
Motivational Quotes for Student Success After a Setback
Problems in graduate school are common. If it were easy, everyone would be attending. I’ve personally worked with tons of students who have struggled to come back from a setback. Students have failed exams, taken incompletes, had disastrous proposal defenses, had research ideas fall through at the last minute, and even failed entire semesters. They have all gone on to successfully complete their degrees though because they didn’t let the setback stand in their way of getting back on track. If you are struggling to recover from a setback, look to these motivational quotes for students facing challenges.
“Mistakes should be examined, learned from, and discarded; not dwelled upon and stored.” ― Tim Fargo
“When it comes to learning success, action is your school, and failure your teacher.” ― Majid Kazmi
“Whenever you are going through life’s challenges, remember that for iron to be cast into its desired form, it must first go through intense heat.” ― idowu koyenikan
“I don’t necessarily sit around inviting life to knock me down, but when it does I don’t wait around for an invitation to stand back up either.” ― Craig D. Lounsbrough
“Today’s struggle is tomorrow’s strength, today’s setback is tomorrow’s comeback.” ― Amit Kalantri
Motivation for Perseverance
Graduate school is a process. It’s a long road and it’s easy to get exhausted and burned out. If you are struggling with fatigue and lethargy, take a break and rejuvenate with these motivational quotes for student success guaranteed to remind you why you need to keep pushing through.
“I learn by doing….the same thing over and over and over again countless times.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich
“There are always periodic opportunities to give up, while every single moment is an opportunity to persevere.” ― Dean F. Wilson
“You must dare, and dare again, and then dare a little bit more, and go on daring.” ― Justin Cotillard
“Perseverance is not a passive submission to circumstances—it is a strong and active response to the difficult events of life.” ― Elizabeth George
Success is not the result of making one good choice or taking one step. Real success requires step, after step, after step, after step. It requires choice after choice, it demands life-long education and passion and commitment and persistence and hunger and patience.” ― Jesmyn Ward
I hope you enjoyed this curation of motivational quotes for student success. If you want to get more tips, tricks, and support to help you finish your degree, sign up for our newsletter.
Wishing You All the Best in Your Academic Success.
–Dr. Cristie Glasheen, Your Graduate Student Success Coach.
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A.S., Ph.D. Candidate, Industrial/Organizational Psychology
I PASSED [the oral comprehensive exams]. Thank you so so so so so much! I could not have done this without you! [redacted for privacy] I can’t believe it’s over […] The beginning of the end is finally here! I’m so happy!!!
M.H., Ph.D. Toxicology
Dr. Glasheen! I passed with barely any revisions requested of me. I am able to submit my dissertation tomorrow morning […]!
Thank you for all your help!
H.N., Masters in Public Health
Just want to appreciate the incredible Cristie and how wonderful of a mentor she is. I’d want to be your student and to learn from you over and over again! There’s absolutely no one half as good as you’re. Thank you for being a part of my journey. My heart is SO full now that I’m done with my degree and I reflect on the huge role that you played in making it true. What a gem!
T.N., PhD. Evolutionary Biology
I’m a doctor!!! Wooo! The presentation went well […]. Thanks so much for all of your help getting to this point! I really appreciate it!
A.M., Postdoc, Atmospheric Science
Hi Cristie, I just wanted to let you know that I finished my presentation on time… one day ahead of schedule! That’s a first for me. Thank you for your help keeping me on track with our coaching sessions!
F.N., Ph.D. in Environmental Economics
What’s been the most helpful? “Breaking down tasks that overwhelm me. Navigating many difficult decisions that are crucial towards achieving my PhD. Getting feedback on my work. And tracking the work in progress which is often invisible.”
“I think Dr. Cristie does an amazing job. I have tried the free coaching provided by my institution and I would rather pay Dr. Cristie.”
S.C., Professional Development Coaching
It’s so very evident how much Dr. Cristie cares about my progress and successes. It gets me through the hard days knowing how much she is genuinely routing for me. She’s gone out of her way to be responsive and supportive and help me get past the blocks I kept running into. She really did help get me unstuck and now I’m staying that way.
A.M., PhD Student, Economics
Successfully submitted my online [grant] application! It was an unknown journey for me, but what I now do know is that it was possible greatly thanks to you. So thank you so much!
R.H., Admissions Coaching for Master’s Higher Education Admin
“Hi Dr. Cristie! (…)
I’m happy to report I got into all the programs I applied for!
- [Redacted] University: fully funded, plus $24,000 stipend & health care (…)
- University of [Redacted]: no scholarship offered, did not apply for GA positions.
- [Redacted] University: offered 50% tuition, GA position offered up to 66% tuition. (…)”
*Some content redacted for privacy.
Heather Mentzer, Ph.D. Physics
Working with Dr. Cristie Glasheen has been one of the most transformative parts of my graduate school experience and genuinely integral to my success. She has an extraordinary ability to take the overwhelming, tangled mess of academic responsibilities, emotions, expectations, and deadlines and help me turn it into something clear, structured, and manageable.
Cristie helps me organize my thoughts when everything feels chaotic, prioritize tasks and deadlines in a realistic and sustainable way, stay accountable to both my personal values and professional goals, and learn tools and frameworks that make the behind-the-scenes part of academia far less overwhelming.
She has guided me through some of the most challenging aspects of academic life, including switching research advisors with clarity and professionalism, communicating needs around extensions or conflicting deadlines, applying for funding and fellowships, advocating for myself in professional settings, and interpreting the bureaucratic noise that comes with academic life and turning it into concrete next steps.
Beyond that, she has supported me in managing the emotional and psychological load of graduate school, creating realistic long-term research timelines, balancing personal health with sustained productivity, strengthening communication with advisors and collaborators, building confidence in my own expertise and decision-making, and developing healthier writing, planning, and project management habits. She has also helped me stay focused during high-pressure seasons like conference preparation and defense planning, learn how to set boundaries without guilt, and understand the unwritten norms and politics that everyone somehow expects graduate students to already know.
Cristie brings a rare combination of experience-backed insight, empathy, practical tools, and zero-judgment accountability. She doesn’t just tell me what to do—she helps me understand how to think strategically, protect my time and energy, and grow into the scientist and professional I want to be.
I honestly cannot imagine navigating graduate school without her support. If you’re a graduate student who wants structure, clarity, confidence, and someone on your side who truly understands academia from the inside out, I could not recommend her more highly.
Alex, Ph.D. Environmental Science
Having Cristie as a coach was one of the best investments I made in graduate school. Period. She was instrumental in helping me pass my comprehensive exam and finish my research proposal, all while giving me the tools to manage two other projects I was juggling at the time. Despite being laser-focused and results-driven in helping me achieve my academic outcomes, Cristie is also very human and reminded me that graduate school is more than just academics and that you have to make time for yourself and for fun stuff.
K.G., Ph.D. Public Health
Just got this in my email – [Dissertation] Approved with no restrictions! THANKS, COACH!
I.M., Ph.D. in Economics
What’s been the most helpful? “It has been useful to look at problems from a different/more helpful perspective. I like that I have been able to work on my thesis sustainably without burning out, considering that I have a full-time job. I usually feel very motivated to work on my thesis after the meeting with Cristie, and having weekly meetings helps me be accountable and drastically reduce my procrastination. I also really appreciate the knowledge sharing of resources and the work smarter, not harder approach (e.g. AI suggestions, Andy Stapleton videos, Focusmate, programs that help with identifying duplicates, etc).”
G.G., Ph.D. Bioinformatics
I just wanted to let you know I successfully defended and will be graduating in a couple weeks!
Thank you again for all your help […]!
A.S., Ph.D. Epidemiology
I don’t know how other people who are balancing work and family manage to finish their dissertations without a coach, but I am so glad [other client] told me about you. This was the best decision I could’ve made. I’m so thankful.
A.S., Ph.D. Public Health
Finished! My dissertation was defended on 01-July and I am an official Ph.D.! What an incredible journey. I am so grateful for our interactions and still apply [your] lessons in life.
K.H., Doctor of Physical Therapy Student
It has been a crazy semester but it is going really well. Just finished 2 of my courses and feel really good about them. I feel like I have been able to use so much from working with you the last year to make this semester go amazing.
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