Crystals are one of the biggest wellness trends right now, with many people claiming that they can increase focus, reduce stress, boost motivation, and help you manifest good vibes. While celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Bella Hadid, and Adele have turned to healing stones to feel zen and even reduce stage fright, you can use crystals for school, too! That’s right: Whether it’s your first day of college and you could use some good luck or you have a bunch of tests coming up and want to manifest good grades, believers insist that crystals can help your academic success. (You know — when combined with studying).
If you’re prepping for an exam and want to make sure you retain all of the knowledge from your group study session, quartz could be a helpful crystal to keep by your desk. Or, let’s say you’re totally overthinking before your first IRL date in a while and could use a lucky stone, clear quartz might be the answer. Or, maybe you’re dreaming of becoming a medical student someday but have no idea where to begin and need career clarity, lapis lazuli can encourage you to aim for success. Of course, crystals aren’t the end-all, be-all cure for your mid-semester blues or senioritis, but they just might help you find a sense of balance. Here are the best crystals for school to start using today, that may just help you find a sense of calm, focus, stress relief, or motivation.
How do you know which crystals to choose?
According to Kelly Austin, IJCF, a spiritual psychology expert and healing practitioner with a background in Jungian psychology, crystals can be used in a variety of diverse ways. “Crystals are multidimensional and multi-purpose,” she tells Her Campus. “They are a beautiful and ancient resource as they amplify our healing and our manifestations.”
When it comes to picking a crystal for school, Austin says there are many options to choose from. “I love working with clear quartz, rose quartz, and black tourmaline,” she says. “Some other favorites are amethyst (to connect to my higher self), citrine (for warm radiant positivity), and eudialyte (for emotional healing).” And although Austin has her favorite go-to crystals, she suggests finding a gemstone that resonates with you personally. “I recommend letting the crystals ‘choose’ you,” she says. “See which colors you are intuitively drawn to. Your higher self knows what you might need the most, so trust that!”
clear quartz
First, we have clear quartz, a crystal that reportedly improves mental clarity, which means it’s great for studying! While you are studying, try carrying a quartz tumble stone in your pocket or place a quartz point on your desk or study area. Try setting a mindful intention or repeating a positive affirmation to help you succeed on the exam, and having quartz nearby can assist.
Carnelian
Known as the “sunset stone,” carnelian is a gemstone that is thought to awaken power, and zest for life. According to a report by the University of Pennsylvania, carnelian was also used in Ancient Egypt to protect against evil spirits, and as a marker of social status. You can use carnelian to boost creativity, and according to Tiny Rituals, the warm-colored stone serves as a reminder to stay driven.
Lapis lazuli
This beautiful blue stone works with your third eye and throat chakras to increase wisdom and self-awareness, and according to the International Gem Society, is often prized for its starry, mystical appearance. At school, lapis lazuli can help you with problem-solving — like when you’re in an argument with your SO and aren’t sure what to do next — and it can also serve as a reminder of your “why” to keep pushing through the semester.
Amethyst
Amethyst is my personal favorite crystal because of its calming effect and ability to alleviate stress. Being involved in campus leadership and having a job on top of being a full-time student can bring stress during a busy semester, so if you’re dealing with something similar, amethyst can be a calming crystal to have around. Wearing a pendant or keeping an amethyst point near you can ward off negativity and ensure that you stay positive and stress-free.
malachite
Malachite, also known as the “stone of transformation,” works with the third eye, throat, and heart chakras to bring about positive change to your life and enhance manifestation. If you are at a low point in the semester or find yourself feeling consumed by procrastination, this stone is a helpful tool for emotional healing and balancing work and play. And if you’re ready to manifest something, whether it’s a new internship, relationship, or otherwise, malachite can help you make it happen.
sodalite
This stone works with the third eye and throat chakras to clear the mind and sharpen your focus and intuition. If you’re a college student, sodalite can help you harness your intuition and enhance logical findings when working on a research paper, and it can also help diminish writer’s block or places you might need to focus on communication.
fluorite
Fluorite, also known as the “genius” stone, works with all of the seven chakras to intensify intuition and focus. This stone can enhance creativity and bring peacefulness to a chaotic environment, whether it’s your cramped dorm room, crowded hall lounge, or the bustling library. I wear a fluorite bracelet almost every day to remain focused in class and promote better decision-making.
amazonite
Whether you’re dealing with an overwhelming class schedule or you need some motivation for your job hunt, amazonite can utilize this stone to bring harmony and balance to your life. Amazonite, also known as the “stone of truth,” can help boost your confidence and enhance your leadership abilities, so if you’re getting ready to speak up at a big meeting, this is the stone for you. This stone works with the throat and heart chakras to help you be honest with yourself on navigating and communicating your emotions, which builds resilience.
citrine
Citrine is a manifestation crystal that works with your solar plexus, sacral, and root chakras to heighten your imagination and sharpen your ability to make difficult decisions. It can be helpful to meditate with a citrine stone in your hand while envisioning what you want to accomplish, and it’s a great stone to use if you need to clarify your focus. Then, bring your imagination to life by making a vision board with those messages and goals.
Rose Quartz
According to MindBodyGreen, this crystal is viewed as the universal stone of love and compassion. Practicing self-love, self-compassion, and regular self-care is crucial in college so you don’t experience burnout, and rose quartz can help. If you’re feeling worried or anxious, it can be helpful to meditate with rose quartz in your hand or placed near your heart to help you heal from any emotional trauma and keep your loved ones and support system in mind.
Austin adds that if you’re using a rose quartz crystal at school, it can help you focus on your energy. “They have the ability to extract negative energy from us and move stagnant energy within us,” she says. “They also have the ability to emit and spark energy we might be ‘calling in,’” — in this case, rose quartz for self-love.
moss agate
Moss agate is the most powerful of agate stones, and according to Britannica, the stone has been found in India, Brazil, Uruguay, central Europe, and the Western United States. Not only does moss agate assist in strengthening your creativity and intellect, but it also can be used for physical healing purposes. According to Austin, you can even “charge” your moss agate in a bowl of water, or keep one in or near your water bottle for extra healing energy.
“Crystals can also be charged to purify and amplify their energy,” Austin says. “Yes, you heard that right! You can leave them out during the full moon and let mamma moon do her job! But PSA, skip this during eclipses.” (According to Bustle, eclipse season can be a little too intense).
honey calcite
This crystal works with the solar plexus chakra to help you realize your self-worth and increase your confidence. The yellow color from the stone reportedly evokes a positive feeling of joy and the ability to overcome obstacles you are faced with, like that 12-page paper due next week! Honey Calcite has the power to facilitate action in your life, so you can use the skills you are obtaining from your academics and organizations towards your desired career path. If you’re ready to make a big career move or you’re applying to internships right now, honey calcite can be a great crystal to have nearby.
Tiger’s eye
Tiger’s Eye is a captivating stone that literally resembles a tiger eye and has been used for strength, confidence, and courage. As a healing crystal, it works with the sacral and root chakras to improve understanding and help you remain grounded. So, if there’s a class that you constantly feel lost in or an exam you fear you may not do well on, try wearing a tiger’s eye pendant to attract prosperity and stability and bring comfort to your mind.
mookaite
Last but certainly not least, we have Mookaite, a crystal that is often used for cultivating mindfulness, and focusing on the “here and now.” Besides the garnet and gold hues this stone embodies, it is an incredible tool to amplify your memory and help you remain calm during a hectic semester. If you feel that you are losing motivation at this point in the semester, try bringing some Mookaite in your backpack and possibly holding it during class to keep you focused and motivate yourself to keep going.
how to use healing crystals
There are many ways to use healing crystals, from wearing them as jewelry for protection to infusing them into your water for positive energy. Healing crystals are commonly used alongside practices like yoga, meditation, massage, or Reiki and energy work — either to help you manifest something you desire, purify your space, or simply help you focus on relaxing a specific part of your body.
“An easy and beautiful way to work with crystals is to intuitively feel which crystal is speaking to you,” Austin says. “Find either a bracelet, ring, or necklace with a crystal, ‘code’ it with your energy, and ask it to bring whatever energy you are calling in. For example, I always wear my rose quartz bracelet for self-love. That way you carry with you the healing energy wherever you go!”
Austin adds that using crystals during a bath or shower ritual can be a powerful healing practice. “One of my favorite things to do is bring a crystal into a bath with me and set the intention for healing to take place,” says Austin, who frequently uses crystals in her work with professional clients. “I hold the crystal and ask, ‘What is the message of healing I need to hear right now?’” She adds that if bath rituals aren’t your thing (or you only have access to a shared college bathroom), there are other ways to practically use crystals — like during meditation or quiet moments.
“If you don’t have access to a bath, you can simply bring a crystal into a meditation session with you, and place it on a part of your body where you are most holding onto tension,” she says.
Another popular way to use healing crystals is in tandem with the seven chakra system, which, according to WebMD, is thought to provide subtle energy that helps your “organs, mind, and intellect” work at their best level. The seven chakras include the root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown chakra, and each energy center has a different meaning and purpose. For example, the “throat” chakra is connected to your voice, communication, self-expression, and confidence, and is often associated with the color blue. So, wearing a blue crystal necklace or holding a lapis lazuli stone before your next class presentation might be helpful for you.