“One of the very worst uses of time is to do something very well that need not to be done at all.”
From getting through coursework, attending classes, juggling a social and family life and acing exams, the life of a student can be a non-stop caffeine-fuelled nightmare. However, whilst chugging energy drinks and pulling all-nighters might be the image we conjure up when we think of studying, there are so many more healthier and productive ways of getting through our academic years. The right productivity book can be the guide a reader needs to understand this. From developing better studying habits to understanding the power of effective time management, check out the best productivity books for students with us at What We Reading!
Make It Stick: The Science Of Successful Learning – Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger And Mark A. McDaniel
First up on our list of the best productivity books for students is Make It Stick. Far too often, students fall into the trap of approaching the traditional way: highlighting the important bits, cramming in a few late-night, last-minute revision sessions before the exam etc. In Make It Stick, Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger And Mark A. McDaniel show why these tactics are not only ineffective but also counterproductive.
This fascinating guide to cognitive psychology revolves around the intricate workings of memory, the most crucial player in successful learning. Delving into how we encode, retain and retrieve memories, Make It Stick debunks myths, and provides actionable insights that help make this one of the go-to resources for anyone looking to master their specialist subjects.
Deep Work: Rules For Focused Success In A Distracted World – Cal Newport
Deep Work is the Goodreads Award-nominated productivity book for students and business professionals alike by Cal Newport. In it, Newport explores how focus without distraction has become one of society’s most treasured, and sought-after, skills. He showcases how deep work provides fulfilment, grapples with complicated information in less time and produces better results.
However, instead of arguing that distraction is inherently a bad thing like so many other books on the subject, Newport instead chooses to focus on the power of its opposite. Deep Work is a collection of inspiring case studies curated by Newport himself showcasing how to find focused success in an otherwise increasingly distracted world.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way To Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – James Clear
Undoubtedly one of the most pioneering nonfiction self-help books in recent years, James Clear’s Atomic Habits is the book you need if you find yourself routinely reaching for your phone or running to the fridge instead of knuckling down with some studying. No matter the goals, Clear’s 2018 book teaches readers how to realise their levels, reshaping how they think about progress and success.
Renowned for distilling complex subjects into simple behaviours that can be easily applied to everyday life, Atomic Habits guides readers through everything from how to overcome a lack of willpower and motivation, to designing environments to enable success and get back on track when you feel like you’ve fallen off. All very useful skills for students we would say.
Eat That Frog!: 22 Ways To Stop Procrastinating And Excel In School – Brian Tracy And Anna Leinberger
With over 450,000 copies sold in 23 different languages, Brian Tracy’s Eat That Frog is one of the most popular productivity books. And, with procrastination being the bane of anyone in high school or college, his adaptation specifically for students is exactly what these readers need to understand effective time management and emerge from their academic studies with more success.
Eat That Frog!: 22 Ways To Stop Procrastinating And Excel In School is a blend of insights, advice and proven techniques that have specifically been chosen to help overcome the myriad of unique challenges students face. From juggling coursework, family duties, extracurricular activities, social lives and much-needed downtime, the concept of ‘eating that frog’ (i.e. tackling the most demanding challenges first so that the rest of the day unfolds with ease) is a skill every student will thank themselves for uncovering.
Speed Reading: Learn To Read A 200+ Book In 1 Hour – Kam Knight
Being able to churn through a daunting reading list would be bordering on a superpower for most students. Thankfully, Kam Knight’s Speed Reading, Amazon’s number-one speed reading book for four consecutive years, has you covered.
One of the go-to guides for students, teachers, educators and parents, Knight presents simple tips that are designed for not only reading but also understanding and memory. Rather than focusing on scanning and skimming through the pages, Speed Reading presents a mix of old and new techniques supported by research that taps into our eyes and brains’ remarkable ability to read more words in less time. With most of these tips being simple to follow and easy to implement, Knight’s productivity book is sure to help students learn more skills, pass more exams and further their understanding.
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management For Mortals – Oliver Burkeman
No one needs reminding there’s never enough time, especially students. And yet, we all seem completely obsessed with drawing out tasks for far longer than they need to be. And whilst we are constantly flooded with a ‘hustle mindset’ and easy ‘hacks’ that are meant to optimise our schedules, the exact opposite effect is often the result.
This is where Oliver Burkeman and his 2021 self-help book on productivity, Four Thousand Weeks, comes in. Drawing on insights from both modern and ancient philosophers, psychologists and spiritual teachers, Burkeman aims at the anxieties that come with poor time management and teaches how to embrace finitude as something to embrace. Four Thousand Weeks is perfect for students looking for an easing through the stresses of their hectic schedule.
15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management – Kevin Kruse
Another one of the best books on time management for students comes from Kevin Kruse in 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management. Utilising real-life habits and strategies honed by the most trailblazing individuals in the world, this is a self-help book that goes beyond the inspiration and advice, and straight to the actionable.
Having conducted extensive research interviewing everyone from Olympians to billionaires, Kruse conjures up the alternative techniques these uber-successful people use to get to the top of their fields. One such example is the ‘Time Travel’ trick to combat procrastination and enable a healthier work-life balance. For students looking to reclaim more of their time, Kruse’s work is an invaluable tool in crafting a more efficient and effective life.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
