You know those moments where you’re walking down the street to your favorite playlist, feeling like you’re in a movie and can do anything? Inspiring AF, right? You can’t deny we’re inspired by so much around us, including those Instagram or Pinterest quotes we find while scrolling through our phones in class. Whether we use quotes about life as Instagram captions when we can’t think of our own, or as motivation on a bulletin board at work, you can’t deny you’ll always find them around us.
Looking for some inspiration? These life quotes to help students live their lives without regret.
1. “When I leave this world, I’ll leave no regrets. Leave something to remember so they won’t forget I was here.” – Beyonce
A good Beyonce quote resonates with anyone, and this one struck a chord with St. Leo University sophomore K. J. Ryan. “In my life I’ve always wanted to be an influential and inspirational person. I’ve always tried to have that shine though with all the struggles I’ve been through, mainly with my sexuality. I want people to remember me and remember the legacy I left on this world. I don’t want to die just another face. I want everyone to know that I was here, and I have no regrets,” said Ryan. So the next time you feel hesitant about whether or not to pitch a unique idea at your internship, just go for it.
2. “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln
Honest Abe really makes a good point. He encourages us take an honest look at ourselves and how we live daily. “I think Lincoln’s quote is a great one to live by. It is important to live your life to its fullest and do everything you enjoy in them. It’s more important to have fun in a shorter amount of time than live longer but not enjoy yourself,” said American University senior Aviva Chaidell. In other words? If you want to join the tennis team, by all means aim for the stars.
3. “Do it now! can affect every phase of your life. It can help you do the things you should do but don’t feel like doing. It can keep you from procrastinating when an unpleasant duty faces you. But it can also help you do those things that you want to do. It helps you seize those precious moments that, if lost, may never be retrieved.” – Napoleon Hill
At some point or another, we procrastinate. Especially in college when we have so much to do, yet so much more distraction. “As much as I hate to admit it, I can sometimes be a procrastinator. Whether it be writing an essay or dusting my room, I procrastinate because even though these things have to be done, I choose to occupy my time with nonsense, just to avoid my duties. On the other hand, I dream big and want to accomplish a lot of things in life, but at times I either freeze up or chicken out, simply due to fear,” said AU senior Christine Mazzocchi. “The more you put off tasks and avoid doing things, the more time creeps up on you and if you’re wanting to take advantage of every opportunity, you need to ‘do it now.’” Carpe diem, right?
4. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
Religious or not, this quote helps people see they should not feel discouraged by circumstances out of their control. Living without fear of the future can be difficult for students who are constantly worrying about their futures, but all we can do for now is trust that everything will be okay; we only have one life after all. “As a Christian, I want to try to live by this because I get my strength from God alone and I trust that He will always carry me through any situation. There are days where I feel anxious or sad for no reason but I remind myself where my peace comes from and He gives me peace that nothing else can,” said St. Joseph’s College senior Bethany Imperato. “I have no reason to be afraid or discouraged knowing who is in control of my life. It’s so comforting knowing that God is always there. Finding comfort and security in Him alone is how I strive to live.”
5. “A ship is safe in the harbor, but that is not what ships are for.” – John A. Shedd
Many college students struggle to come out of their shells in a new place surrounded by new people. We often find ourselves seeking our comfort zones, when the best thing we can do for ourselves is break out of them. “I think it is good to live with the message that the quote passes of taking risks and challenging yourself and not being afraid,” said AU senior Valentina Sader. Take risks, be adventurous, you never know what you might find.
6. “Don’t be afraid of anything because fear holds us back.” – unknown
This quote gives the such simple, yet powerful advice. We all experience fear throughout our lives, but fear does nothing for us. It only limits us, and prevents us from finding new adventures. Never let fear dictate your decisions. The best moments can come from situations we are initially afraid of. You might stress about not understanding French, but if you dream of studying abroad in Paris, don’t let your fear stop you. “This quote was said to me by my grandfather before I came to the United States and I took the message for my life! He said ‘and I chose to live by that (at least I try to) and never be afraid to do anything,’” said Sader. Seize the day!
7. “Nobody is superior, nobody is inferior, but nobody is equal either. People are simply unique, incomparable. You are you, I am I. I have to contribute my potential to life; you have to contribute your potential to life. I have to discover my own being; you have to discover your own being.” – Osho
Oftentimes, we feel peer pressure. Rather than comparing ourselves to others, we should compare our present self to our past self, and strive to be a better version of our self in the future. “I’m in love with this quote because it really brings a new perspective about how we could view each other in the world. A lot of conflict arises around the issues of oppression and inequality, between this race and that race, men and women, parent and child, boss and employee,” said University of California, Irvine graduate Venessa Yeh.“Narrowing the framework of how I define myself leaves out all of the magnificent things that I uniquely do. I am not only my degree or title. I am not only the depression that stirs inside of me or the loneliness. I am so much more than all of that. This quote made me realize that I will never find peace, happiness or success outside of myself.” Positive vibes only.
8. “And though she be but little, she is fierce.”– William Shakespeare
Never judge a book by its cover. This quote itself is short, but carries so much weight and meaning. You can know almost nothing based only on appearances. “This is inspirational to me not only because my last name is Little, but because it shows me that as a woman, I can stand up for myself and not just blend in, said George Washington University freshman Molly Little. Remember: You are stronger than you think. Don’t let judgments hold you back.
9. “Feeling both within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life” and “For whatever you live is life.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Those who’ve read The Great Gatsby find that its words travel with them long after they have put the book down. “There are a million different ways to shape a life, and its worth taking the time to examine how others are coming into their own person, how others are shaping themselves and the people, places and moments around them. There is almost always a larger story to something or someone than what is immediately seen,” said University of Virginia senior Mary Long. “Nearly every day, especially after passing someone on the street that I find heartwarmingly subtle or interesting or what-have-you, these quotes and the thoughts behind them will pop into my head. They serve as a reminder to myself to be understanding and unafraid, to observe and trust that there is a story in everything and to believe in the beauty of that story.”
10. “With people like us our homes are where we are not. No one person in this world is necessary to you or to me.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
“The quote seems dire and lonely at first, but in reality it has a major influence on how I reflectively appreciate my life. I’ve always wanted to travel and I am simply not built to stay in one place for too long (GW is 600 miles from my hometown), and so this quote helps me acknowledge that I’m always going to be missing some sort of ‘home,’ and that the innate value that comes from having a home is something that should be cherished,” said GW freshman Olivia Upham. In other words? It’s okay to feel homesick every once in a while. You should appreciate that you have something to miss. “Additionally, the idea that ‘no one person in this world is necessary to you or to me’ coincides with my philosophy that you are truly the only person that ‘you’ will have and know for the entirety of your life, and we should honor that and understand we are complete, whole beings all on our own.” You’re awesome, and don’t you forget it.
11. “Cynicism is the refuge of cowards.” – Cory Booker
“It was amid other impressive rhetoric [at the DNC] and I know it’s nerdy, but that idea, put that way, always stuck with me,” said GW freshman Emma Kiesling. “It articulates a way I already try to look at life. I believe optimism is something you have to work for and it’s harder than cynicism. By the same token I think it’s more powerful.” So why spend your time feeling negative? Instead, remind yourself you have only a limited amount of time, and you don’t want to waste it in fear.
