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A wonderful classic

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)

Decisive Battle SpiritCHiCO with HoneyWorks

Decisive Battle Spirit / CHiCO with HoneyWorks
Decisive Battle SpiritCHiCO with HoneyWorks

High school life can be busy with studying and club activities, and there may be times when you feel at a loss.

In moments like that, CHiCO with HoneyWorks’ “Kessen Spirit” can be a source of encouragement.

Released in 2020, the song was also used as the ending theme for the anime “Haikyu!! TO THE TOP,” which aired the same year.

Its lyrics are filled with messages that fire you up and passionate feelings that push high school students forward.

Especially for students involved in sports, it can help turn anxious thoughts into strength.

If you’re looking for a song to cheer on your hard work, this one is highly recommended.

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.

Stand Out Fit InNEW!ONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK: Stand Out Fit In [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
Stand Out Fit InNEW!ONE OK ROCK

Have you ever read the room and ended up suppressing your true self? In the new social world of high school, you might find more situations where you’re expected to be “normal.” That’s exactly when I want you to listen to this classic track from ONE OK ROCK’s album Eye of the Storm.

It’s been on air as a Honda commercial song since 2018, so many of you probably have it stuck in your heads.

The message “hamidashite najime”—“stand out and still belong”—carries the hope that you’ll blend in without losing who you are.

This piece also mirrors the band’s own journey of continual challenges across different cultures.

On the morning you slip into your new uniform, if you play this song, it will surely give you the courage to take that first step as your authentic self.

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!

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?

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

Sense of Wondersumika

sumika / “Sense of Wonder” Special Movie
Sense of Wondersumika

When it comes to rousing anthems that set young hearts ablaze, this is the song.

Chosen as the theme for a Shinken Zemi commercial, sumika’s track deeply resonates with younger generations.

Its lyrics, which celebrate finding what you want to do and taking on challenges without fear of failure, are especially compelling.

The song is included on the EP Harmonize e.p, released in March 2020.

Sumika is a four-member band formed in 2013, performing with the aim of becoming a “dwelling place” for many people.

It’s the perfect track for high school students taking on club activities or entrance exams.

Give it a listen as a pep song that will give you the courage to believe in yourself and keep moving forward.