Gosh, summer flew by in a flash and we’re now smack dab in the middle of back to school. Hope all of you had a nice Labor Day Weekend! If you’re enrolled in classes this Fall, congrats on being one step closer to your degree! For the rest of us who are working, it’s good to remember the excitement and energy we used to have as students and find ways to apply that to our careers. If you’re a regular Untemplater reader, you probably know that I’m obsessed with quotes. Here are some inspirational quotes for students and working adults that I’ve pulled together to get your week and back to school season off to a great start.
Timeless Advice From One Generation To The Next
Even though the six noteworthy individuals who said these inspirational quotes are no longer with us, their words still ring true today and will continue into the future. A lot of the things we learn in school and at work are constantly evolving due to changes in technology and science. But there are a lot of rudiments that remain static. And we mustn’t overlook their importance.
Most of you probably remember Randy Pausch, the incredibly inspiring Carnegie Mellon professor best known for The Last Lecture, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2008. I still get teary eyed when I think about his story because he had more fervor, vitality, and positive perspectives in his last years than some people probably ever had in their entire lifetimes. To start off, here are four of my favorite Pausch inspirational quotes.
Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. You’ve got to get the fundamentals down because otherwise the fancy stuff isn’t going to work. – Randy Pausch
We must take time to get the basics down, even though a lot of the times this is the boring stuff. Don’t skip over the easy stuff or you’ll just end up frustrated and spinning your wheels trying to get from point A to point B. You have to know how to turn the “car” on, how to operate it, and understand what it needs to run before you can take off on an exciting road trip.
The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people. – Randy Pausch
This happens more times than we can count. How will you rise above your classmates and coworkers? As much as you may want to give in when things get tough, find a way to push through and come out on top.
Time is all you have and you may find one day that you have less than you think. – Randy Pausch
The older we get, the faster time passes. And we just never know what could happen tomorrow. Treasure the opportunities before you and make the most of them while you can. Keep yourself active and don’t put off things you can and should do today.
You can always change your plan, but only if you have one. – Randy Pausch
It’s normal if you don’t know what you want to do with the rest of your life right now. So experiment! Try new things. Don’t be afraid to fail or change course. Better to try and fail than to never have tried at all.
Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. – Steve Jobs
While it may be a bit hard to think about the ultimate expiration we all face when you’re young, I’m sure you already know what it’s like to lose something. Put aside those fears and don’t be afraid to take risks. Join a new group, explore a new major, build your network.
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. – Steve Jobs
School can be a tough place. You may feel like you’re constantly being judged and have to put on a certain act to fit in. Don’t lose touch with who you are. Trust your instincts and show your true colors.
Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. – Will Rogers
Just because you coasted through high school doesn’t mean you can or should do the same in college or on the job. Competition waits for no one. Never stop learning!
To climb steep hills requires slow pace at first. – William Shakespeare
Even the most complex problems can be solved with enough time and patience. Don’t rush and make mistakes that will cost you later on. Be thorough. Plan. Prepare. Execute.
In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity. – Albert Einstein
The moments we cherish the most are the ones we never imagined could be possible. Face your fears head on, and embrace the difficult and unknown. You’d be surprised what you’re really capable of.
The more technique you have, the less you have to worry about it. – Pablo Picasso
The more you learn, the more opportunities you’ll have. The more skills you have, the more valuable and important you become. True masters make the most complex things look easy.
I hope these quotes have given you a little motivational boost to go out and get active. It’s a beautiful day today! What will you make of it?
Untemplaters, how was your Labor Day weekend? Which are your favorites amongst my inspirational quotes for students and working adults? What’s a great piece of advice someone gave you when you were younger?
Motivational quotes for students explain that nothing is more fruitful than gaining knowledge. Without it, we are like a barren land who desperately requires water. Great share love to read them cheers 🙂
Steve Job’s and Albert Einstein’s are probably my favorite. But all of them are great for finding inspiration!
Amazing quotes Sydney! I really enjoyed Randy’s brick walls and changing your plan quote. That Picaso one resonated with me as well. Finally, you can never go wrong with those Steve Jobs classics. Thanks for the inspiration!
I love motivational quotes. I find them.. well, motivational! Thanks for sharing.
Haha I love this:
Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. – Will Rogers
Talk about time flying, my youngest brother started his last year of high school. I remember him being born.
I agree, the brick walls quote from Randy is quite telling. It’s essentially the “barriers to entry” economic concept applied to our personal lives and what we truly want to achieve. Reading it makes you realize nothing is impossible if you try hard enough, but you must be aware it won’t be easy and sacrifices will need to be made.
Really enjoyed the quotes and yes time does fly not just the summer. Half the year is in the books and before you know it, it will be 2014. Having a plan is key and change always occurs but few have the plan. S. Jobs one I like as well live your life. Those brick walls tell us how bad we want something go over, through, or around just dont let them stand in your way.
My favorite saying is “You can always change your plan, but only if you have one” making a plan is a very best thing to do but sometimes you need to break the rules and make a different move despite of your plans. You should be willing to take a risk sometimes and it will help you to become a good person.
Yes that’s true. We have to be able to adapt and shift gears when things come up or we realize we want to go in a different direction.
My favorite quote is The Wall quote by Randy. I believe it absolutely. And when we don’t want to climb the wall, it’s OK. Maybe we’ve become comfortable with what we have.
The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people. – Randy Pausch
Yeah it’s one of my favorites too. And you’re right, sometimes we don’t have to climb over every wall.
I love…In the middle of every difficulty lies an opportunity! It’s so true! Thanks for the inspirational post!
Thanks Josh. Yeah, it helps to remind ourselves of this when we are tempted to just throw in the towel. Finding ways to look on the bright side and seek out learning and new perspectives when facing obstacles help us keep going.
If you think the summer went fast, consider your life! I thought I was just 16 years old yesterday. I like Picasso’s quote because approach is everything in life. Besides he has the same birthday as my wife (Oct. 25th).
Yeah life does go by so fast. That’s really neat that Picasso and your wife have the same birthday!