Five films that inspire and motivate you to study

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Good Will Hunting brilliantly highlights specific topics that men simply refuse to talk about. This film has the complexity and pain of personal growth, and self-realisation throughout.

The main character, Will Hunting (played by Matt Damon), is an utter genius but comes with a troubled past. The story tells of the road he takes with the help of psychiatrist, Dr Sean Maguire (played by Robin Williams), who tries to help him towards recovery. Unfortunately, things do not go so simply for Will, which allows us to experience a range of emotions that are sad and beautiful, at the same time becoming truly inspirational with so many takeaways and quotes to remember throughout. So “how do you like them apples?”

The Pursuit of Happiness (2006)

The true tale of successful businessman Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith), who rises from poverty to riches, is truly the story of a man and his son in the pursuit of happiness hit with hard choices a father must make after being evicted from their apartment with little to nothing in their name. He and his son (played by Jaden Smith, who is Will Smith’s real son) are left alone with no place to go. In a constant downward spiral, Chris truly never gives up on all the hardships he must endure.

Knowing this is a true story makes it even more inspirational, and the scenes even more tear-wrenching from the despair he suffers from his wife who decides to leave him. He is left without any money, with the responsibility of managing his son's care, and an unpaid internship at a brokerage firm, but this film shows how perseverance truly can turn the tables. Even with all the troubles and the pressures he was faced with, he never gave up, and all the work and studying paid off.

Coach Carter (2005)

Coach Carter is based around the real story of Ken Carter (played by Samuel L Jackson), who takes the opportunity to return to his old high school to help get its basketball team down the right path. This does not come without problems as his methods are tough and strict with a focus on discipline, which in turn comes with backlash as the players and parents struggle with his type of leadership and criticism... but that begins to change.

This amazing story show how education, not just athletics, is the only important thing they need to succeed. This begins to show as the players begin their winning streak, but when their grades start to drop, the clear, straightforward leader makes the choices that many could or would for the best of his players, closing and locking up the gym and shutting down their championship season as he is determined that the team excels in class as well as on the court.

This film demonstrates what a powerful leader and mentor can bring as Coach Carter is clear and straightforward, and blunt but comes with vision and motivation, allowing his players to blossom by showing them the biggest obstacle that lives their own fears of trying for more than they have. With all the types of personalities on the team, it's hard not to find a player that really resonates with oneself.