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Recommended cheer-up songs for high school students: tracks that will motivate you to do your best on entrance exams and club activities when you listen to them.

Between club activities, daily classes, and studying for entrance exams, high school students have more than ever to work hard on, don’t they? Sometimes you might hit a wall and feel troubled.

In times like that, I recommend listening to your favorite motivational songs to lift your spirits! Upbeat tracks or lyrics filled with encouragement can give you the strength to try again.

In this article, we’ll introduce motivational songs recommended for high school students.

There are plenty of perfect songs to cheer you on for clubs and exams, so be sure to find the one that’s just right for you.

Recommended motivational songs for high school students: tracks that will help you push through exams and club activities (11–20)

Bridge of Gloryyuzu

Yuzu “Eikou no Kakehashi” Music Video
Bridge of Gloryyuzu

An enduring masterpiece by Yuzu, the folk duo that represents Japan.

It embraces all the pain and setbacks of the past, the days of effort piled up without running away, and makes you feel proud of who you are now.

That warm yet powerful message resonates deeply with anyone striving forward.

Released as a single in July 2004, it was used as the theme song for NHK’s broadcast of the Athens Olympics.

Many will remember it alongside the moving scene of the men’s gymnastics team winning gold for the first time in 28 years.

Give it a listen when your club activities aren’t yielding the results you want, or when exam pressure feels overwhelming.

You’ll find the courage to believe that none of your steps so far have been in vain—and to keep moving forward.

Dear, boyHump Back

Hump Back – “Dear, Boy” Music Video
Dear, boyHump Back

Hump Back’s 2018 release “Dear, Young Boy” is a track that depicts the struggles and hopes of youth.

Its driving melody and relatable lyrics encourage high school students working hard on exams and club activities.

Each time you face anxiety or setbacks, this song will help strengthen your heart.

It’s undeniably a powerful anthem you’ll want to listen to when you pause for breath.

When confronted with trials, it will surely be a song that gives you the courage to rise again.

Step and a stepNiziU

NiziU(니쥬) Debut Single『Step and a step』MV
Step and a stepNiziU

NiziU’s memorable debut single, also known for being produced by J.Y.

Park.

Released in December 2020, it garnered attention as the song used in Lotte’s “Fit’s” commercial.

It carries a warm message of “It’s okay to move at your own pace,” offering a comforting charm that’s different from the upbeat vibe of their pre-debut track “Make you happy.” It’s a song we especially want high school students to hear—those who tend to feel rushed while studying for exams or are struggling with club activities that aren’t yielding the results they hoped for.

Even if you don’t force yourself to run, taking one step at a time is enough—their voices will give you a gentle push forward.

room for growthCreepy Nuts

[MV] Creepy Nuts – Nobishiro (Room to Grow)
room for growthCreepy Nuts

Creepy Nuts’ song “Nobishiro” is a perfect track to cheer on high school students working hard right now.

It’s especially popular as a song that encourages you when you’re struggling to improve or feeling anxious.

Featured on the album “Case,” this track delivers a rap by R-Shitei and DJ Matsunaga that captures real everyday life and conveys a message that resonates deep in the heart.

The lyrics, carried by a lively melody, strike a chord and have the power to set you straight.

When you’re facing challenges in your club activities or hitting a wall with entrance exam studies, “Nobishiro,” filled with Creepy Nuts’ determination, will give you strength.

It’s okayMarushii

Marsi – It's Okay (Official Music Video)
It's okayMarushii

A refreshing three-piece rock band formed in Fukuoka Prefecture.

They’ve had numerous tie-ins, including songs in Menicon commercials and as theme music for ABEMA dramas, so you might have heard their breezy vocals without even realizing it.

Their song “Daijoubu” (“It’ll Be Okay”) has also been selected as the support song for the All Japan High School and All Japan Junior High School Cheerleading Championships.

With lyrics that say, “It’s only natural to feel anxious after working so hard in practice, but it’s going to be okay,” the track gives courage to everyone who listens.

You’ll surely feel encouraged, too.

It’s a youthful, motivational anthem you’re likely to hear in more and more places from now on!

SeventeenKamiyama Yagi

Yoh Kamiyama – Seventeen [Lyric Video] / Yoh Kamiyama – Seventeen
SeventeenKamiyama Yagi

This is a song packed with the unique restlessness of adolescence, a spirit of rebellion, and an impulse to leap into the outside world.

You’ll be captivated by the sound where driving guitars and buoyant grooves overlap.

It links with the fragile yet powerful lyrical worldview crafted by Yoh Kamiyama, creating a thrilling atmosphere.

Released in March 2022 and included on the album “CLOSET,” which came out in April of the same year, this track later received a remix version that gained attention when it was used as a campaign song in a collaboration project with Sony’s Xperia.

It’s sure to give you strength when you need a boost or before an important challenge.

Recommended cheer songs for high school students: tracks that will motivate you for exams and club activities (21–30)

EVERBLUEOmoinotake

Omoinotake / EVERBLUE [Official Music Video]
EVERBLUEOmoinotake

This is a song that gives you the courage to keep walking toward your dreams, released by Omoinotake in September 2023.

It was also used as the opening theme for the TV anime Blue Period.

Its exhilarating melody and refreshing sound will blow away your study fatigue.

Reo Fujii’s sweet, high-toned vocals really resonate with the heart.

Many listeners will relate to the lyrics, which depict the boredom of everyday life, frustration with an unchanging self, and the process of awakening to a new world through art.

When you feel crushed by exam pressure, this piece will be a powerful ally.

Why not listen to it together with your club members as well?