Purpose

''What is my purpose in life?'' ''How can I get the most out of my student life without losing sight of my values and ambitions?'' ''What direction do I want to take?'' ''What do I really care about?''

In your student life, you will often run into issues surrounding purpose and ambitions. It is important for everyone to have a purpose in life. Some studies even suggest that students who experience higher levels of aspiration are more satisfied with their lives and less likely to experience mental health problems1 2.

Below are several resources to help you get started with finding your purpose, defining goals and figuring out what is important to you in your life.

Books

Challenges

Documentaries

Podcasts

Self tests

Patton, Lori D., Kristen A. Renn, Florence M. Guido, and Stephen John Quaye. Student development in college: Theory, research, and practice. John Wiley & Sons, 2016.

2 Moran, Christy D. "Purpose in life, student development, and well-being: Recommendations for student affairs practitioners." NASPA journal 38, no. 3 (2001): 269-279.

Please note: the tips and tools we provide on this page are intended only as general advice for getting started on your own and should not be considered exhaustive. The list is based on our own knowledge and experiences with the resources, and while we do our best to provide accurate and relevant information, we cannot guarantee that the tips provided are suitable for your specific situation. If you need more help or advice for your individual situation, find who to contact here.