Replace Your 4 Year College Degree With These 8 TED Talks

An alternative to traditional education

I don’t know what subject you spent four years studying in college, but I know that it didn’t prepare you for the stuff that actually matters in the real world.

I mean, when was the last time you had to solve a quadratic equation or recite the dates of every major historical event?

Important life lessons never make it onto the syllabus.

I don’t intend to imply that college degrees are completely useless, but when it comes to navigating the ups and downs of adulthood, you need more than a diploma to get you through.

For me, when I’m craving real-value insights (besides, you know, actually living life and learning from experience), my go-to places are books and TED Talks.

This article explores the latter — so let me introduce you to eight TED Talks that taught me much more important things than my college degree.

How to stop screwing yourself over — Mel Robbins

Watch it if: you often get stuck in your own head, doubt yourself, and are a master of self-sabotage

Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt stuck or held back by your own thoughts.

Well, who hasn’t?

I advise you to give this talk a watch.

Mel Robbins, a former criminal lawyer, and now a career/relationship expert, delves into the psychology of self-sabotage and discusses how we often hold ourselves back from achieving our goals due to fear, self-doubt, and procrastination.

What I paid most attention to was the information surrounding the brain’s natural tendency to resist change and the “Five Second Rule” — a simple tool for breaking free from the cycle of hesitation and taking action.

Sleep Is Your Superpower — Matt Walker

Watch it if: you have bad sleeping habits, don’t have enough rest, or have noticed changes to your physical/mental health due to poor-quality sleep

Who needs sleep when you can work all day and hustle all night?

That seems to be the prevailing mindset of modern society. The glorification of the hustle culture perpetuates the notion that sleep is a luxury rather than a biological necessity.

We might not realize it, but this undervaluation of sleep comes at a significant cost to our health.

Neuroscientist and sleep expert Matt Walker spent two decades studying the relationship between sleep and various aspects of our physical and mental health.

Throughout his talk, he shares fascinating insights into the functions of sleep, explores the consequences of sleep deprivation, and offers practical tips for improving sleep quality.

After watching this talk, you’ll never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep again.

Why reading matters — Rita Carter

Watch it if: you don’t like reading or never make time for it

As an avid reader, there’s no way I would exclude this talk from the list.

Rita Carter is a science and medical writer and her talk is like a love letter to books and the power of reading.

She dives into the science behind how reading shapes our brains, enhances our empathy, expands our minds, and even extends our lifespan.

If you’ve ever questioned whether spending hours reading a book is really worth it, this talk will leave you with no doubt:

Reading matters, and in our increasingly digital age, matters more than ever.

How to live passionately, no matter your age — Isabel Allende

Watch it if: you feel stuck in a rut, lack passion or struggle to find meaning in your life

If the name Isabel Allende rings a bell, you’ve probably read some of her incredible books.

If I had to guess I’d say it’s either The House of the Spirits or Violeta. If you haven’t read any of her books, I highly recommend you do so, and while you’re at it, take a look at this talk of hers as well.

During the talk, she reminds us that passion knows no age limits and can infuse every stage of life. She reflects on the inevitability of aging and the importance of approaching life with enthusiasm and resilience. She shares her own experiences and offers tips for finding fulfillment, staying curious, and embracing change.

It’s one of the most inspiring talks I’ve ever watched.

The Art of Stillness — Pico Iyer

Watch it if: you’re always busy, you feel overwhelmed by the fast-paced nature of modern society, or are curious about mindfulness and meditation

We all have hectic lives. There’s too much noise. Slowing down is important. “Being” is equally important as “Doing”.

This TED talk immediately caught my attention, because the video description begins with “The place that travel writer Pico Iyer would most like to go? Nowhere.”

I loved that.

Using his experiences as a travel writer, Pico Iyer shares insights into the power of embracing silence and solitude. He challenges the idea that constant movement and activity are necessary for a fulfilling life and argues that true wisdom and insight emerge from being still and present in the moment.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of daily life, this talk will help you incorporate some — much-needed — moments of stillness into your life.

What I learned from going blind in space — Chris Hadfield

Watch it if: you’re struggling with a fear or uncertainty, grappling with unexpected setbacks, or are curious about life in space

Chris Hadfield, a seasoned astronaut, shares his experience of going blind during a spacewalk and the journey of resilience and determination that followed.

Besides being a fascinating story and an example of resilience and determination, his experience is a source of inspiration and motivation for facing your own challenges — be it in your personal or professional life.

You’ll have to watch his talk for details, but I’ll give you some clues: he explores the importance of preparation, adaptability, and a positive mindset in overcoming obstacles.

The Skill of Humor — Andrew Tarvin

Watch it if: you want to improve your communication skills and connect with others more effectively

Humor can fix everything.

It goes beyond making someone laugh; it’s a tool for communication and connection.

What’s great is that you don’t have to be naturally funny — this is a myth Tarvin debunks in his talk.

Humor is a skill that can be learned and developed like any other.

Drawing from his background as a humor engineer, Tarvin shares insights into how humor can be cultivated as a skill and offers tips and techniques that will help you incorporate humor into different aspects of your life.

The surprising habits of original thinkers — Adam Grant

Watch it if: you want to boost your creativity and come up with original ideas

As a writer, creativity and originality are important to me, and I’m always searching for tips/techniques that can help me boost them.

But even if you’re not a writer, creative and original thinking are valuable skills to have.

Whether you’re a student dealing with a complex problem, an entrepreneur seeking innovative solutions, or simply someone navigating the challenges of everyday life, the ability to think outside the box and approach situations from fresh perspectives will benefit you.

Start by watching this talk.

In it, organizational psychologist Adam Grant explores the habits of original thinkers — people who break away from conventional thinking patterns and generate original ideas. He talks about the characteristics, behaviors, and habits that distinguish original thinkers and offers insights into how you can cultivate these traits within yourself.

Remember, the journey to knowledge and personal growth doesn’t always have to follow the traditional path of a four-year college degree.

You can find wisdom, inspiration, and practical advice elsewhere, and TED talks are one example that stands out.

If you have any TED talks you’d like to add to the list, feel free to share them in the comments — I’m always eager to discover new sources of inspiration and insight.

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