10 TED Talks Every College Student Needs To Watch
Start writing a post
Entertainment

10 TED Talks Every College Student Needs To Watch

A little inspiration for all of you college kids out there.

12683
10 TED Talks Every College Student Needs To Watch
ted.com

With its company motto of "Ideas Worth Spreading," TED Talks have been providing knowledge and advice on a wide range of subjects for years now. For us college students, we seem to always have questions about adulthood, career paths, how to handle money, success and so forth. These burning questions we have demand answers. With thousands of videos, there's bound to be a TED Talk that pertains to whatever our specific dilemma might be. Here's a list of some inspiring, interesting and just plain entertaining TED Talks that speak to those of us in college.

1. Matt Cutts: Try Something New for 30 Days

http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_...

This fun, easy-going talk explores the idea of trying out something new for 30 days, given by an engineer at Google. College is a time to try new things, and in his talk, Cutts shows the benefits of doing this.

2. Cameron Russell: Looks Aren't Everything. Believe Me, I'm a Model.

http://www.ted.com/talks/cameron_russell_looks_are...

Like high school, college can be a very difficult time for a person's self-esteem. Cameron Russell explains her take on why looks aren't everything, and how being a supermodel has taught her this important lesson.

3. Angela Lee Duckworth: The Key To Success? Grit.

http://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_the_...

Arguably some of the hardest four (or more) years of our lives, college provides plenty of obstacles and roadblocks that force us to be tough. In this motivating talk, Angela Lee Duckworth, argues that the one true characteristic that leads to success isn't just talent, it's actually something called grit. If you need inspiration to persevere, definitely watch this one.

4. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story

http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_da...

"The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story." This incredibly inspirational and intelligent writer explains how dangerous stereotypes can be, especially when they are formed after hearing only one story about a person or place. This is important for college students, as we are faced with many different prejudices and stereotypes every day.

5. Kelly McGonigal: How to Make Stress Your Friend

http://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_ma...


If the word "college" had a synonym, it would be "stress." Stress is unavoidable in college, but how you handle it can make all the difference. Health psychologist, Kelly McGonigal, argues that there's a way to make stress actually good for you. (I know, I was skeptical at first— just watch).

6. Andy Puddicombe: All It Takes is 10 Mindful Minutes

http://www.ted.com/talks/andy_puddicombe_all_it_ta...

Our lives can so easily get busy with our constantly jam-packed schedules. It's rather difficult to live in the present moment, especially in college. In this TED Talk, former monk, Andy Puddicombe, shows us how taking 10 minutes out of our day to practice mindfulness can make us happier.

7. Joshua Foer: Feats of Memory Anyone Can Do

http://www.ted.com/talks/joshua_foer_feats_of_memo...

Have an important presentation coming up? How about a big, scary test? Take a look at this video and learn a fascinating trick to remember all those tricky facts, figures, and equations.

8. Tim Urban: Inside The Mind of a Master Procrastinator

http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_urban_inside_the_mind...

For all you procrastinators out there, take a look at this hilarious and spot-on video that will hopefully ring a bell for you. Master procrastinator and writer, Tim Urban, shows us how the mind of a procrastinator works, but in an easy and entertaining way. If you need a good laugh, this one is a winner.

9. David Kelley: How to Build Your Creative Confidence

http://www.ted.com/talks/david_kelley_how_to_build...

In this intriguing TED Talk, Kelley talks about how everyone, no matter what kind of "category" you sort your intelligence into, can be creative. He urges us to take a long, hard look at our creativity and how we can apply it to work, school, and our relationships.

10. Drew Dudley: Everyday Leadership

http://www.ted.com/talks/drew_dudley_everyday_lead...

There is more than one way to be a leader. In fact, we can be leaders without even recognizing it at the time. Dudley tells an amazing story about this and shares how we can greatly impact someone's life without even knowing. This is an incredibly inspirational video to watch if you're striving to make a difference in the world, starting with your college campus.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

110000
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments