Harry Potter book series | 10 things students can learn

A good book can make you sad, happy, mad, and feel a range of emotions you didn’t know you had. But a brilliant book is like a mentor that will teach you lessons you pass on to your kids. The Harry Potter series is one of those brilliant books that may seem like a child’s fiction book on the surface, but the reality is this book can teach you a lot more than meets the eyes. 

To show what these life lessons are, here are 10 things the brilliant Harry Potter series has taught me! To all my Potterheads, don’t forget to comment below and raise your wands to unite!

Don’t let society define you

In the Harry Potter book series, we see how Neville is considered a joke and is never really thought of as the brightest tool in the kit. Ironically, he came in his element in the 5th, 6th, and 7th books and was an integral part of taking Voldemort, aka ‘The Dark Lord’ down. 

Humans are social creatures, and we live in harmony (somewhat) because we need others to survive. The older we get, the more we learn about what is accepted in society and what isn’t. This shapes us into who we become. 

But sometimes, what society wants from us is not what we want from life. You can allow society to shape and influence you, but never allow it to define who you are; only you can do that. 

You can’t compare yourself to others 

Ron’s character symbolizes loyalty and friendship at its core, and we see him support his friends multiple times. However, being one of seven siblings, he does not see his worth, which leads him to compare himself to others. In the book, we see how jealous Ron gets of Harry, and that leads to many fights between the two. Ron’s jealousy affects not only him but also the ones around him.

We are constantly surrounded by amazing people, either in real life, or we see them on social media. It’s hard to not compare yourself sometimes, and that’s okay. But remember that not everything you see is true. 

Everyone is facing unspoken, unheard battles, and comparing yourself or your life with others is not fair. Why? Because the playing field is never the same for everyone. 

Pain is a part of growing up

Unfortunately, pain is one of the best teachers in life. This series showcases it in the most amazing way possible by showing death, loneliness, rejection, heartbreak, and more. 

When you lose something, someone, or even a part of you, that pain never really goes away. You learn how to cope with it, and it makes you stronger. Growing up means accepting that you cannot smile on all days and you will be hurt, but you get up and try again anyway. 

There is always a bigger picture to look at 

One thing I have learned over the years it’s that there are always three sides to a story. The one you are telling, the second person’s perspective, and the truth. This means there is always a bigger picture to look at and not just the one you want to see. 

Nobody knew what Albus Dumbledore’s plan was up until the very end. Sometimes we may not understand why people act a certain way, but that might be in your best interest (not always), even if it is harsh and might hurt you. 

It’s important to take a step back and evaluate why people act in certain ways and why certain things happen. More often than not, you might find your answer. 

Trust those who prove their loyalty

One of the main themes in the Harry Potter book series is friendship. The golden and silver trio are the epitome of good friendship. Of course, the Marauders come close, but some betrayals cannot be forgotten (Thanks Pettigrew).

This heavy focus on friendship also brings out another theme of trust. In today’s world, it is difficult to trust people, especially those who have been hurt in the past. 

This, however, does not change the fact that some people are worthy of your trust. If this is difficult for you, take things slow and give the other person a chance to prove themselves in small and different ways.  

Some battles are fought alone, but you’re never truly alone

Just like Harry faced Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest alone, you too may have to face some battles alone. Throughout the series, we see how Harry constantly has support but has to face major battles alone. 

Why? Well, how else will he learn his strengths and weaknesses? We all have problems we would rather not face alone, but life does not always work the way we want it to.

However, this does not mean you’re alone or that no one cares. It means you’re learning and finding yourself. We all feel lonely sometimes and wish we had friends or a companion who would look out for us. The reality is that 90% of the time, people are supporting you silently. 

Even though this may not seem like much at the moment, having that backing can help you move oceans. 

There is more to people than meets the eye

Even though Severus Snape was not the best character in the series (personal opinion), we all know where his loyalty lay. No one knew much about Snape until his last moments. Even Sirius Black is a great example of ‘there is more to people than meets the eye.’ 

Judging someone when you first meet them is human nature, but letting that bias stick will never help you. We create stereotypes or judge people to fit them into certain categories to understand them better. But when you first meet someone, you notice their appearance, the way they talk, how they treat others, and so on. 

Even though these are good indicators to understand who they are, you will never really understand who they are until you get to know them and their story. 

Be proud of who you are 

If there is one character throughout the book who tells you it’s okay to be different, it is Luna Lovegood. She knows she is different and embraces it even though she is made fun of often. 

We all love to be different but not too different. We love to stand out but not too much. Why? It’s because society dictates those who are different as ‘weird’. But who said being weird was bad? 

Again, everyone is different, and everyone has different things to contribute to society. So, be you, be weird!  

Some books are more than words on paper 

The Harry Potter book series is one of those books that starts as a light read and quickly turns into your source of comfort and home. Every character in this series can teach you something if you have an open mind. The deeper you dive into the plot, the more details you unravel, and as a writer and bookworm, this is a treat for the soul. 

Books have a way of connecting with you that no other medium can match. To me, this book is more than just words on paper. Which is yours? 

You can’t change the past, but you can build your future 

If there is one key takeaway from this blog, it is that your past does not define you. Your actions and words in the present do. As much as we would love to use the time turner and change certain events in our past, we cannot and should not do that. 

Your past, no matter how good or bad, has shaped you into the individual you are today. If you want to change something from the past, it means you are not happy with your present. So instead of focusing on the past, try to improve your present to build your future. 

Key takeaways 

• Have an open mind when meeting new people and allow your judgments to change the more you know them. 
• Be yourself; it’s okay to be you. 
• Instead of focusing on the past, focus on building a better future. Let the past be a reminder for you to have a brighter tomorrow.
• Some people are worth your trust. 

Hey Potterhead! Did you enjoy this blog? If yes, share your thoughts in the comments below. I would love to know your thoughts! 

You can reach out to us about any study abroad queries. See you in the next blog!

Read: Top 8 most iconic fictional characters of all time

FAQs

1. Are there 7 or 8 Harry Potter books?

Answer- There are 7 Harry Potter books and 8 movies. The last book is split into two movies. 

2. What reading level is Harry Potter?

Answer- The book series is for children between 8-12, so the reading level is middle grade.

3. Which Harry Potter book is the longest?

Answer- Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix (the fifth book) is the longest book in the series, with 800 pages.