Last Updated on June 5, 2025 by Alexandra Markin
Are you procrastinating, uninspired or feeling stuck? As an online college student, I know how hard it can be to stay motivated, especially when you’re studying solo or drowning in assignments.
That’s why I’ve put together this hand-picked list of shows for study motivation that do more than just entertain. They’ll help you find your focus and reset so you’re ready to dive back into your goals – making screen time work for you, not against you.
Some of these I’ve watched multiple times (Legally Blonde and Gilmore Girls jump to mind) so find a core favourite that inspires you!
Why You SHOULD Watch Inspirational Study Shows
Some students feel that watching TV shows for motivation is just a distraction and your time would be better spent studying instead.
However, there is evidence that students who watched motivational media reported significantly higher motivation and greater plans to study than those who didn’t (Grant, 2015).
So cue up your favourite show guilt-free – just make sure to set some healthy time limits before breaking out the popcorn.
My Top 7 Shows to Inspire Study Motivation
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1. Legally Blonde
TYPE: Movie (1 hour, 36 minutes)
YEAR RELEASED: 2001
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT: I’ve watched Legally Blonde more times than I can count, and it never fails to boost my motivation. The movie follows Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon), a fashion-loving sorority president who gets dumped by her boyfriend for not being “serious” enough.
Starting out as a mission to attend Harvard Law to win him back quickly turns into a powerful journey of self-discovery, resilience, and proving that being smart and stylish aren’t mutually exclusive.
What makes this movie such a standout for students is how Elle transforms from underestimated to unstoppable, simply by showing up, embracing self-discipline, and staying 100% true to herself. So if you ever feel like you don’t belong, or like people don’t take you seriously because of how you look, where you’re from, or what you’re into, this movie is for you.
Legally Blonde isn’t just entertaining – it’s a study motivation classic, fully deserving of the number one spot on this list.
2. Gilmore Girls
TYPE: Series (7 seasons, 153 episodes)
YEARS AIRED: 2000-2007
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT: Gilmore Girls is on my annual fall re-watch list, and if you’re a fellow fan, you get it.
The series follows Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel), a single mom and her teenage daughter living in the quirky town of Stars Hollow. The heart of the show is about their relationship, but what really resonated with me as a student is Rory’s journey. She’s ambitious, book-obsessed, and constantly pushing herself toward her academic goals from high school to Yale.
However, it’s not all perfect grades and library marathons. Rory makes a few bad decisions, changes direction, and questions everything (like we all do). But watching her navigate the pressure and still keep striving always makes me want to open my laptop and stay committed to my own goals.
So whether you’re studying for finals, powering through assignments or just need something to spark your motivation, there’s something about Rory’s endless stream of coffee and study sessions that just gets the student grind.
Gilmore Girls is the ultimate cozy comfort show when you’re pushing yourself through any level of education.
3. The Queen’s Gambit
TYPE: Miniseries (1 season, 7 episodes)
YEAR AIRED: 2020
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT: I didn’t think a show about chess would hook me like The Queen’s Gambit did – nor leave me feeling more motivated to study.
The series follows Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), a quiet orphan with a brilliant mind and a fierce obsession with the game of chess. As she rises through the male-dominated world of competitive chess in the 1960s, Beth wrestles with self-doubt, sedative addiction, isolation, and the pressure to live up to her own genius.
What I loved about The Queen’s Gambit is how the show accurately depicts the grind required behind mastery. Beth studies constantly, fails publicly, and keeps coming back smarter and stronger. It doesn’t glamorize success. The scenes show the hard work, focus, and internal battles that come with chasing big goals.
If you’re in a rut or feeling deflated, Beth’s story will motivate you to trust your mind, put in the long hours and pursue your degree with confidence.
4. Hidden Figures
TYPE: Movie (2 hours, 7 minutes)
YEAR RELEASED: 2016
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT: There’s nothing that gives me more study motivation than watching a show about highly educated female mathematicians break barriers.
The movie is based on the true story of three brilliant black women who helped NASA win the Space Race: Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe).
As a student, watching these women refuse to back down, despite having every reason to, reminds me how powerful it can be to stay committed to your goals even when the odds feel stacked against you. Despite facing racism, sexism and countless systemic barriers, they push through with intelligence, grit, and relentless determination to make critical contributions to space exploration.
Hidden Figures is about much more than math and science; it’s about self-belief, hard work, and rising beyond what others expect of you – or what you expect of yourself.
5. Harry Potter
TYPE: Film Series (8 total)
YEARS RELEASED: 2001-2011
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT: I didn’t read the books, but I’ve watched the film series multiple times and no matter how old I get they never loose their motivational magic.
The story follows Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), an orphan who is whisked off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry after a startling incident on his 11th birthday leads him to discover he’s actually a wizard. During the years that follow, Harry and his friends face magical creatures, dark forces, impossible exams, and a destiny way bigger than any of them expected.
What makes this series so motivating for students isn’t just the magic or the action – it’s the sense of purpose. Every character is constantly learning, growing, and figuring out how to fight for something bigger than themselves.
But there’s one character I find especially inspiring: Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). She doesn’t have a photographic memory or any special “chosen one” powers like Harry. She earns everything through focus, effort and relentless hard work, proving that often times talent is indeed overrated. She’s the one who’s always prepared, always studying, and never apologizing for being smart. Hermione shows that being passionate about learning is powerful, and that it can literally save lives, change outcomes and make you a leader.
Watching her handle pressure, solve problems, and consistently show up even when no one else does is a reminder that hard work really is a kind of magic.
If you’re feeling burnt out or behind, the Harry Potter series may be just the thing to pull you out of a slump and remind you why you started in the first place.
6. Mona Lisa Smile
TYPE: Movie (1 hours, 77 minutes)
YEAR RELEASED: 2003
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT: I watched Mona Lisa Smile expecting a traditional period drama, but it turned out to be one of those quietly powerful movies that drives motivation to reach your full potential.
Set in 1953 at a prestigious (and extremely traditional) all-women’s college, the story follows Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts), a progressive art history professor. She arrives with high hopes of teaching young women who are ready to change the world, only to find her students are instead being trained to become perfect wives.
As a student, it highlighted that real learning isn’t just about memorizing facts. It’s about expanding your perspective, asking uncomfortable questions, and putting what you learn into practice. Katherine encourages her students to think for themselves, challenge societal norms, and see beyond the roles they’ve been handed. It’s not just about the subject matter, it’s about pushing past your fear, choosing your own path, and realizing that intelligence is never something you have to hide.
Mona Lisa Smile is a reminder that your voice matters, even when it challenges the status quo. And isn’t that the whole point of learning?
7. Good Will Hunting
TYPE: Movie (2 hours, 6 minutes)
YEAR RELEASED: 1997
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT: I was inspired by Good Will Hunting because it goes way beyond the surface level of being a genius on your subject matter to the real issue most of us face – believing we’re good enough.
The movie follows Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a young janitor at MIT who turns out to be a self-taught genius with a gift for mathematics. But instead of chasing opportunities, Will hides behind sarcasm, anger, and fear, because deep down he doesn’t believe he’s worth the potential everyone else sees in him.
What makes this such a great motivational show for students isn’t just the academic brilliance – it’s the emotional depth. Will’s journey isn’t about becoming smarter, it’s about believing he deserves more. Through seeing his therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), cultivating new friendships and navigating internal struggles, he begins to face his trauma and open up to the idea that he’s capable of real growth. I can say from personal experience that seeing a therapist helped me break through more than just study blocks – it improved every aspect of my life.
Intelligence alone doesn’t carry you forward. It’s your self-belief, vulnerability, and willingness to work through hard things. If you’ve ever struggled with impostor syndrome, fear of failure, or doubting if you’re good enough, Good Will Hunting is a reminder that your past doesn’t define your potential.
As Sean says to Will “You can do anything you want. You are bound by nothing.”
How to Put Motivational Study Shows Into Practice
Inspirational shows help give students a quick boost of study motivation and remind them why their goals matter.
However, it’s very common to still have trouble turning that energy into action.
Here are some quick strategies to help you turn that motivation boost into real, productive study time:
- Set small, specific goals. Break your study material into small, manageable tasks. Instead of saying, “I’m going to study statistics,” say, “I’m going to read section 1.2 of Chapter 4 and take notes as I read.”
- Remove distractions. Determine what your distractions are and try to eliminate them. For example, if it’s screen time, turn off the TV or put your phone in another room during your focused study sessions.
- Create a study schedule. Find what times work best for you and create a schedule. You could study for 3 hours every morning from 8am-11am, or from 6pm-9pm if you like to study at night. Routines create consistency.
- Use the Pomodoro Technique. This is my ultimate favourite study hack for when I’m having trouble getting started. Set a timer for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break. Keep repeating until you’ve accomplished your set tasks.
- Switch up your environment. For me, a different setting always boosts my productivity. Head to a coffee shop or library for some new inspiration.
- Keep active. Getting in some daily physical activity can help break lethargy. Even a 20 minute walk, a short yoga flow or some stretching can do the trick.
- Eat healthy. Not eating properly drains my energy kills and motivation. Staying healthy as a student really helps you thrive academically, so aim for a balanced diet without cutting out your favourite treats.
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What is your favourite show for study motivation? Please share in the comments below because I love getting new show recommendations!
References
Grant, N. (2015). Motivational Media and Academic Success (PDF). Journal of Student Research, 4(1), 160-163.
