School is back, but are you still stuck in the warm summer sunshine rather than your textbooks? If you are, then watch these five films and series and you will be freshly motivated for the upcoming academic year.
September has arrived and that means that school has also started again. Some say that tests and grades are the most important part of school, with certain requirements needed for further study and employment. Whilst this viewpoint is not completely correct as school is also about friendships and skill development, grades still are an important factor in deciding the future.
However, most people find that revising is boring. You are essentially going over the same information over and over again till it sticks for one exam. But what if you were actually motivated to study?
Here are five recommendations of movies and TV shows which include characters, plots and settings which will motivate you to study and hopefully make revision more enjoyable:
Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
- Key Actors: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Keiko Agena
- Director: Amy Sherman-Palladino
- Run time: 7 seasons
You can’t mention motivational study series and not refer to Gilmore Girls. This series is quintessentially autumnal and is focused on academia, to get you in the mood for cozy blankets and study sessions. This series is also a great background show to studying if you are a returning viewer.
The series follows Rory and her mother Lorelai in the small town of Stars Hollow, through her school and then university and beyond. This series is a comfort show, where the characters are lovable and worth investing in, while also being motivating as Rory repeatedly works hard on her schoolwork to fulfil her ambitions. One of the most iconic characters from this franchise, Paris, is also motivating to watch as she gives her all to school work, which will make you want to as well.
Despite the focus on succeeding in school, the series also has other plotlines such as: the relationship between Lorelai and her mother, Rory’s friend Lane, and a cafe owner called Luke. Therefore, you can enjoy some drama and motivation at the same time.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
- Key Actors: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke
- Director: Peter Weir
- Run time: 2h 8m
Dead Poets Society is a deep but beautiful film, with topics such as creativity, tragedy and inspiration at its core.
Mr Keating is an enthusiastic teacher, who transforms the subject of poetry to life. His speeches about poets such as Wordsworth and the famous phrase “Carpe Diem” will inspire you to study and delve deeper into literary texts. This film shows how the teaching of a subject can have a significant impact on whether the students like what they are learning. Mr Keating’s good teaching as a result ignites a passion for poetry in the main protagonists, and how it changes their perspectives and ultimately their lives.
Aside from this inspiring character, the setting of a posh boys boarding school adds to the dark academia aesthetic and the tragic storyline gives an almost Shakespearian cathartic twist. The characters’s love for learning and the subject of poetry in particular will hopefully motivate you to enjoy your subjects too.
Legally Blonde (2001)
- Key Actors: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair
- Director: Robert Luketic
- Run time: 1h 36m
Legally Blonde is a classic film, but aside from her cute dog and the focus on fashion, Elle Woods can give us study inspiration due to her dedication to law school.
Legally Blonde is essentially a film about a girl defying the preconceived notions of being a “dumb blonde” by getting into law school and working hard when she is there. Obviously, this stereotype is not true and Elle proves this to her ex, alongside funny and memorable scenes and lines.
Her dedication and ambition to prove herself pays off, which makes it a surprisingly motivational movie as she succeeds despite the negative views from others. This movie is also perfect for law students as it spends lots of time on her work, classes and eventually a trial. Additionally, this recommendation is positive and light-hearted, compared to the other more tragic and emotional films on this list, so it is perfect for getting your spirits up and revising.
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
- Key Actors: Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles
- Director: Mike Newell
- Run time: 1h 57m
Mona Lisa Smile can be seen as similar to Dead Poets Society, due to its vintage feel and a focus on the arts. However, this movie instead delves into the subject of art history and is also about the role of women in education and society.
The film focuses on Katherine Watson, who has just arrived to teach a class on art history. The plot focuses on her past, as well as the students she is teaching and their love of education vs their expectation to marry instead.
Due to the school setting and the topic of art history and academia, this movie will not only make you want to study but also make you think about the choices you have in regards to education and careers. The movie also touches upon unreached potential which will motivate you to pick up the flashcards and reach yours.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
- Key Actors: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck
- Director: Gus Van Sant
- Run time: 2h 6m
Good Will Hunting is a well known movie and is rightly so, with its famous cast and interesting characters and plots.
The previous four recommendations have all be based on the humanities, but Good Will Hunting is for the science and maths lovers as well as those who need study motivation. The movie follows Will Hunting (played by Matt Damon), whose talent for arithmetic is stunted by his social situation, and he instead works as a janitor at a school. However, Will starts to come to the attention of Sean (played by Robin Williams) when he anonymously finishes difficult equations on his shifts.
This movie is motivational due to Will’s love of numbers and the school setting. It will also get you thinking about how it’s never too late to start doing what you love, and the complexities that come with past trauma.
