10 things college doesn't teach you

College rarely prepares you with practical life advice that will help you keep your shit together. But hey, who needs a six-figure degree when you have YouTube? In this video I want to dive into the 10 biggest things college doesn’t teach you.

📙 Additional resources (basically extra credit)...

Hi there 👋 If you're new to my videos my name is Matt D'Avella. I'm a documentary filmmaker, entrepreneur and YouTuber. I've made a couple documentaries for Netflix. I also teach courses on everything from filmmaking to habit change. If you like to nerd out about self-development as much as I do, you can subscribe for weekly videos.

🔗 LINKS

🎬 CREDITS
Directed by Matt D'Avella
Produced by Shawn Forno & Matt D'Avella
Animation by Spencer Torok

[Jtt]

I miss your podcast! That’s actually what I used to listen to at the gym. Now I just cycle back through all the videos you make to keep motivation.

[karlchenmuller]

1:54 1: basic personal finance
4:04 2: how to actually get a job
5:53 3: how to never get a job
7:16 4: how to build healthy habits
8:43 5: networking like a human
9:35 6: how to create a life outside work
11:06 7: how to cook simple nutritious meals
12:48 8: basic fitness advice
14:22 9: self awareness
15:18 10: College isn't meant to teach you everything

[CoffeeFuelledGenius]

Damn, those 16 minutes flew by…. This one’s a banger for sure. Straight to the point and GENUINELY helpful with no waffle. Awesome.

[lanilaur]

This video came at just the right time 😭 I'm a 1.5 generation immigrant and switched my major from a medical to a creative study (my family wasn't thrilled). I worked my ass off to get straight As; constantly felt the need to prove something to myself and everyone who doubted me.

I graduated last month and feel guilty for taking time off before securing a job. I want more besides the conventional 9-5 but there's so much more growth that needs to happen in between (from navigating personal finance to my artistic goals). I strive to be more self-reliant with each passing day. Thank you Matt for another helpful video! 🤗

[asmashabir]

I have two degrees, but never went to college (long story) but I always felt I lacked a major thing. and will never be good enough. But this video caused me to reflect.
Currently I am working on major self awareness, having a fit enough life-style, exploring my creative side, respectful parenting (being a mom) and ending generational trauma and I think I am good to go for now. NO MORE REGRETS! I mean just focus on what your values are and work towards them little by little every day. You don't have to get into everything or follow every single convention, so that you can call yourself normal or successful.

[cirentXD]

As someone who went to university and found it a tremendously amazing, fun, and a worthwhile experience, I still don't recommend it for everyone. I went into chemical engineering and my 4 year degree was only $25, 000USD and my starting wage was $72, 000USD, (paid off my degree in 10 months) so it was worth it for me and necessary because I can't legally be an engineer without the degree. In the future, if my children don't want to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, teacher, or accountant; I will recommend them not going to college and instead building projects and an online portfolio that they can show clients and employers

[BBoyGi]

I always get more out of watching your videos than I do than any other youtube channel. Hands down you give the best advice. This video particularly is essential and many should heed your advice. Dude, you make it look effortless but professionalism at its best for make your content and sharing to your audience.

[Trogdor]

In my opinion, this is one of your top 5 videos ever. I wish someone had told me this when I was young (54, UK) and could really use the advice. I often recruit and hire people at the beginning of their careers to work in our fully flexible, location agnostic business. They can work any time, anywhere as long as they are productive. The first thing I have to teach many of them? How to show up for and organise their work! Education should prepare them for that. Thank you for this video and all the other great content.

[CallumHenderson]

Can't believe I get 15 and a half minutes in before it even crosses my mind to wonder how long I've been watching for - your ability to continue to engage your audience over such a long time compared to 95% of other content creators really puts you in the platinum tier Matt! Inspiring as ever.

[TheElenaNumb]

I'm 26 years old, turning 27 in June, and let me TELL YOU! i am learning how to deal with life the rough way, all the things mentioned in this video i have found myself navigating through for the past four years, it's tough out there, but its all worthy! i am not anyone who is super smart nor super productive, but i would like to believe i still have an aware mindset that is helping me evolve in turtle speed, but improvement is happening (although i am also pro at having negative self talk sessions) and i'm super proud of me:

[anthonyisensee]

As a college junior just having landed my first job in the industry I want to be in, I can't possibly agree more with every one of these points more. I'd go so far as to say they're exactly how I've been able to be successful.

To add to the job one, particularly, to my fellow college students: go get a job now. It'll expose you to the working world, help you set up your work life (/school) balance, and give you a bit to spend on weekends. Even if you can't immediately do exactly what you love, find the closest thing and work your way up to better. That's what I've done and with a good work ethic I've had overwhelming success!

[bartekmalinowy]

The part about living unconventionally was something I really needed to hear, Matt! This year I decided not to go to college to pursue my dream of becoming an entrepreneur and full-time YouTuber, and although I've made some progress in that field, I recently started to feel unfulfilled. I didn't accomplish anything spectacular, my progress is really slow. I keep putting in the work, but self-doubt still creeps in. So thanks for these encouraging words, they really mean a lot!

[HeadbangersKitchen]

What a great video! I dropped out of college to pursue my passion for death metal music. Of course 20 years later here I am running a Youtube cooking channel for a living. Life eh?

[andrearichard]

Appreciate Matt for talking about this. People often think less of themselves and others if one doesn’t have a degree but the reality is that in some case a degree does not prepare you for the brutal work life after one graduates. I experienced this first hand and burn myself in less than 10 years in my career. However, I am glad to said I am learning something new, mail no time for my hobbies and reduced my working hours to be able to do so.

[vivekarvind]

One of your best videos ever. I’m 29 and I resonate with everything you just said. I’m gonna share it with my younger brother as a short summary of life advice that he can refer whenever he wants to.

[goat]

The reason why Matt's self-improvement content is engaging because we know he's like many of us: an actual worker. There are many similar videos on YT where the speaker is obviously out-of-touch or, worse, faking to be working class. You can't really give out life lessons if your life has been too easy. #9 is very important! Self awareness goes a long way.

[environmentalnews]

That "Pay attention because it will be on the test." Our education spoon-fed to us is so spot on. Real world is where you really get schooled.

[nickagrinzone]

Your last point on self-resiliency is so true I general even if you don’t go to college. My college journey started in 2017, but I ended up leaving in 2019 with an associates and separate media certificate because I wanted to pursue my own avenue in life. I felt myself being held back from my true potential. Now 3 years later at 22, while I don’t have everything figured out I have regrets and am proud with myself for having the courage. It was honestly the first major decision I made that went against the societal norm and the catalyst for my film and self development journey

[ShanRizwan]

11/10 vid ~ you have such a skill at explaining

[astrothsknot]

i'm going to say it depends on whether or not you lived in an actual home versus halls or/and had a job during as well. if you lived off campus and worked, you're already halfway to running an adult life with adult expectations of you, like how to get a job, keep a job, deal with colleagues and clients, pay your rent etc. It doesn't matter if you're working in a supermarket one day a week, you're already shown you can get and keep a job. running a house? you won't be struggling with it when you have to get one after college.

my main issue with college is it's unrealistically protected. it's like do the coursework and you'll get a job in your field quickly. You will not. Turn up to lectures late and no one cares. That's your first written warning in a job. But the biggest lie is do the work and everything will fall into place. It doesn't teach you to deal with the curveballs. That limiting beleif really affected my career more than anything and took me fifteen years and a recession to shake.