Books to Read During Your Undergraduate Degree

The years during one's undergraduate degree studies have some of the most formative and nostalgic experiences for anyone, as the university environment is usually the backdrop of numerous self-discovery moments, and thus discovery of how we are a part of a very complex and fascinating world. The educational content students are taught during their undergraduate degree can be very enlightening, but a big part of university education is individual research. Reading various literature written by people from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds can help put some concepts in perspective, and therefore understand them better. This article has put together a list of books that every student should read during their undergraduate degree.

The Ultimate University Survival Guide by Jack Edwards

This book might not have a captivating, inspiring story like others on the list we have curated for you, but it does have some of the most essential tips about navigating the years of your undergraduate degree. While plenty of these tips can be found on student discussion forums, having everything compacted in a book makes the information way less daunting, especially for first-year students. This is the book to read before you start your undergraduate degree, but it would be helpful at any point during your studies. 

The Ultimate University survival guide gives advice on diverse parts of the university experience such as how to pack, how to cohabitate peacefully with your flatmates, study tips, as well as financial and mental health advice. Therefore, rather than reading through student discussion forums and getting an overload of contradictory information, just read this book to have some basic ideas about what can be expected from your undergraduate degree but at the same time make the experience uniquely yours. 

Everything I know about love by Dolly Alderton

While the author of this autobiography is not a historical icon or an academic prodigy, the wisdom she shares in Everything I Know About Love should not be underestimated. It’s especially her unextraordinary but common experiences that prove to be the most insightful. While Edward’s book is a good guide regarding practical aspects of one’s undergraduate degree experience, Alderton’s book offers valuable advice regarding the emotional aspects of these formative years. 

There is no manual that teaches fool-proof rules about friendships, dating and one’s relationship with oneself, and Alderton is aware of this aspect. Thus, this book reads like a caring letter to her younger self, completely different from the coaching style of books from this genre. This makes the reading experience a warm and emotional one, free of judgement but full of wisdom.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

The first fiction book on this list has its story set during the last year of high school, and all throughout the main characters’ undergraduate degree studies. Rooney deeply explores social issues highly relevant to Ireland (where the story is set) as well as the UK, such as classism, gender discrimination and many others. The characters also have moments of struggle with mental health issues commonly found among students such as depression and anxiety, and while reading about their problems can be highly emotional, it is also rewarding to see them change their coping behaviours to healthier ones as they mature. 

While the story feels deeply emotional and personal, the author dives deep into topics important for anyone studying for their undergraduate degree, and while the lessons the characters learn are much more subtly written, Normal People offers between the lines just as much wisdom as the other books mentioned.

Educated by Tara Westover

This autobiography, unlike Alderton's, will probably not have a lot of relatable, common experiences, but rather uniquely inspiring ones. This book is about the extraordinary story of Tara Westover who was raised off the grid by a family who did not believe in modern medicine or education, and how starting her formal education at 17 changed her life. 

The story explores dark themes such as dysfunctional families and the emotional turmoil they can cause, but with the presence of a hopeful tone throughout, as the author proves that the past does not have to dictate one’s future, no matter how troublesome. Furthermore, this book is especially motivational for undergraduate students, as during the journey of Westover's academics, the readers also embark on the author’s fulfilling journey of healing, self-discovery and empowerment through education. 

Thinking fast and slow by Daniel Kahneman

This book teaches the basis of essential skills that students need to critically analyse all the information that their undergraduate degrees teach them, as well as to develop better research and media literacy skills when conducting individual research. This non-fiction book examines the two systems of thinking, the fast, automatic and often subconscious one and the slow, deliberate and conscious one with the purpose of highlighting how our mind can make good and bad judgments when misusing these systems.

It is important for students to understand processes such as critical thinking, scepticism, and cognitive biases and how they can be improved so that better decision-making skills and awareness can emerge. Developing these skills would greatly benefit any student during their undergraduate degree studies, as the skills that can be improved from being aware of their mind’s thinking systems are especially helpful in socialising with people from highly different socio-economic backgrounds which is a key part of the university experience. 

While you will spend a lot of your undergraduate degree reading journal articles and books related to your subject, it is important to branch out and read diverse literature, both fiction and non-fiction. Wisdom can be found in ordinary people with lives very similar to ours, as well as in people across the world who leave indelible marks on their communities.