Movies to Inspire your Academic Life

Mapúa, a prestigious architecture university in Manila, has no doubt produced many talented architects and engineers. However, this doesn’t mean that going to college is easy. Many former and current students work hard to achieve their academic goals to foster successful careers.

The first year is the adjustment period, and some may already find the experience overwhelming. Even when you’re past the adjustment period there will always be new challenges, especially since the subjects in the succeeding years will become more and more complex. This is inevitable as it prepares the students for the real world.

If you’re feeling particularly down and uninspired in terms of schoolwork, it may be time to find new motivation and inspiration to spark the drive you once had back to life. As such, we would like to invite you to take a break when possible and check out these inspiring movies!

Legally Blonde (2001)

Starring Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Victor Garber
Directed by Robert Luketic
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is a woman who knows what she wants and stops at nothing to get it. Her life seems to take a turn at first when her boyfriend Warner dumps her because he needed to be with someone more ‘serious’. Unwilling to admit defeat, Elle does everything in her power to get into Harvard Law School to win Warner back. Initially seen as nothing more than a sorority girl by everyone she meets, she soon realizes her love for law and helping people. This movie shows you that you can do whatever you set your mind to.

Freedom Writers (2007)

Starring Hilary Swank, Patrick Dempsey, Imelda Staunton
Directed by Richard LaGranvenese
Distributed by Paramount Pictures

Everybody has a story to tell, whether it’s good or bad, short or long. Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank) is a young educator who starts teaching at Woodrow Wilson High School, which is having trouble with the implementation of its racial integration plan. She expected a class of students eager to study, but ends up with trouble children who are involved with gang wars. She slowly earns the respect of these students, enough for them to quit the gang life and let her create a book about their experiences.

The Blind Side (2009)

Starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates
Directed by John Lee Hancock
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures

Michael Oher has no idea who his father is, his mother is a drug addict. Due to his built and athleticism, he was offered to play for an exclusive private school where he was befriended by Sean Jr. Michael has had little formal education and a few skills to let him learn but Sean Jr.’s parents, Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy took a liking in him and ensured that the young man has every opportunity to succeed. Based on the true story of the Tuohy’s and Michael Oher, the first round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 NFL draft, this movie shows that an act of kindness can change a person’s life.

Movies are not just mindless entertainment. Art, love, and passion are what we live for, and it’s also where we get the motivation to go further in life.