College Advice From an Expert

London and Edinburgh Info: bit.ly/9QVH0o
In which John gives advice to incoming college students on the topics of academics, personal relationships, drinking, road trips, and more.
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A Bunny
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[@SarahMiller9]

John studied Ebola before it was cool.

[@Hoonter]

Hipster John is hipster. Confirmed.

[@CubingThroughLife]

This hits hard in 2020

[@kaleidoslug7777]

What i've got from the VlogBrothers so far: Life is scary as hell, but worth it

[@lettuceprime4922]

That is an excellent summary of their videos.

[@EinRotschopf]

That is an excellent summary of life.

[@epicjoyfulcreations4580]

I feel like they should just make it their slogan at this point.

[@PersonalExploits]

The people who asked these questions about starting college, are now GRADUATING college. That's pretty cool, also a time warp. Pretty cool.

[@totalweirdo8538]

Personal Exploits You wrote this four years ago, which means that they're probably well into working by now. Also pretty cool, and also a time warp.

[@hikaru975]

And the people who were starting college when THOSE people were graduating are graduating NOW

[@tab160]

And now they have probably finished their PhD's if they were going that way.

[@nestoons4539]

Dang 6 years ago 2014... or possibly even 2013 Back then I was just 7

[@HamzaSayedAli]

Yeah wow when this video was made I was 10 years old, when this comment was made i was just graduating from middle school, now im in my second year of college bruh the future people reading these comments are gonna think we’re old as hell

[@SbotTV]

The "hypochondriac" bit made me crack up.

[@BohemianKitsch]

every time i hear you talk i feel this slight pain of loss that we are best friends who never found each other in this life.

[@AlaricHolmes]

+TheWanderer He does seem like a pretty cool dude.

[@laurao6314]

TheWanderer ,

[@totalweirdo8538]

TheWanderer Your username is perfect for this comment.

[@watagashi_mitai]

No one likes to be vomited upon. (That's not true, John.) Well, it should be. I choked.

[@emmywillow6599]

+

[@NotTotallyHopeless]

I threw up on my boyfriend of like 2 weeks in my second semester of college. We are still together, kind of a weird bonding experience but I don't recommend it

[@mikeohara2067]

I disagree I think its a risky bonding experience, if u throw up on someone and they still think yeah this persons cool then I've got a very good chance of not breaking up in 5 months and whether u do or don't its a funny story

[@mikeohara2067]

***** uve

[@TheJamesKelson]

+mike ohara Though I will say I've heard a fair number of funny stories, and none of them ever ended "and then he threw up on me"... Different strokes I guess ;)

[@mikeohara2067]

Elaeum do any of them end "and then I threw upnon him"? You may not have been puked on but some people are into that shit

[@TheJamesKelson]

***** I think that the reason why I love the internet so much is because I really can not tell if you're messing with me or not! I will say, I think people have the right to do what they want in the privacy of their own homes - though I'd imagine that the acidity would be murder on the skin...

[@BFedie518]

Tip: having to clean your own toilet is worth it to have your own toilet.

[@Carlinatictictic]

Worst thing about college (and probably school in general): group work

[@nadirbengana]

+Carlina Zeeman it can be good sometimes

[@atifuzzaman1]

+Carlina Zeeman I know what you mean. I used to not mind free riders at first, but then some free riders started scoring more than i did. I mean like wtf?! whats the point of being honest?

[@EllaMuersofNerdfighteria]

ahhh group assignments are the worst

[@danielaasti]

Yeeeeeesss

[@Neha71580]

Gosh darn it Carlina! I am working on my group assignment right now, which is due tomorrow, and I came here to procrastinate, only to find out this comment. OH MY GOSH COLLEGE WHY?!

[@mikeyneang9525]

1:35 "Emerging viruses" ...oh if only John knew what would happen 10 years later...

[@HamzaSayedAli]

Truly ahead of the game

[@touisbetterthanpi]

I personally never plan to drink. This is a choice I have made for a few reasons. The most predominate ones are that I come from a family that has had alcoholics and I just don't see the appeal of drinking. I'm not going to try and change anyone else cause that wouldn't work anyway.

[@samalbury9183]

Me too

[@magikustotalus]

"Don't get too excited about The Fountainhead." Yes.

[@8GamingMonsters]

Care to elaborate? I am slowly working my way through it as a senior in HS and am enjoying it. That is not to say I agree with hardly anything she is saying, but it is still insightful. **No spoilers please**

[@magikustotalus]

8GamingMonsters Well, I read The Fountainhead as a freshman in high school as way to expose myself to philosophy and start thinking about the world. I got really caught up in the whole idea of objectivism and all its cool ideals, and I kinda lost sight of some of the values that I truly believe. For instance, the novel at one point directly challenges altruism as a good way to live, and rather says that you should only care for yourself. At the time I believed that to some extent, but I've come to pretty much believe the exact opposite after a few years. Life would suck if nobody helped anybody else out. Loving other people, living in a community, and being humble are important aspects of life that are pretty much essential to being a good human, and the Fountainhead at some level challenges all of those things. It's definitely a cool book, with a great plot and interesting characters, but I would just suggest to my younger self not to so blindly accept a philosophy without taking the time to fully process what all it means. Enjoy the book, and think about what it has to say, but don't think of it as gospel or anything.

[@8GamingMonsters]

magikustotalus Thanks for the quick reply and the important reminder of... context. I will admit I was initially swept away by the enthralling characters, and only upon reflection did I find the conflict with my philosophy.

[@araceli5008]

That's my favorite book so far.

[@magikustotalus]

Yeah, it was mine too for a while! I'm not trying to knock it as bad or anything.

[@desertangel12]

I also believe important advice is to actually major in something you enjoy. I know way too many unhappy science majors.

[@DaaaahWhoosh]

Ah, damn. I let the freedom of that moment get by me. Honestly, everyone kept on trying to prepare me for the academics, that part was easy. The hard part was talking to anyone. At least now I can live on my own, I'm just as lonely but not reminded of it nearly as much.

[@RealUlrichLeland]

lonely cunts for the win!

[@cory8242]

hey im happy you are here on this earth.. if i knew you i would hangout with you... every human is lonely they are just to scared to admit it.

[@xMasterxRazorx]

So weird how different the life of people leaving for a college and living in a dorm and people who live at home and attend the local community college is.

[@jadduck]

xMasterxRazorx Exactly. This is why I was always on the fence when it came to deciding which University I wanted to go to in the UK. Eventually I decided that I'd have more freedom and have a more personal experience with my university academics if I move away from home.

[@FeliciaFollum]

there is no way I could have lived at home....

[@mindovermindfuck]

I want to experience the community of living in a dorm, and not having to drive an hour to get to class every day... But I also am aware that moving back home after five years in a dorm would be very hard. Eventually, I'll move out of my childhood home, but I still can't justify it with how much it costs.

[@NicoletheBabyPenguin]

This video back in 20110 was sent to me from a close friend. It was the very first Vlogbrothers video I watched my first week of college - far away from home and I am forever grateful for this content. The vlogbrothers have always been a phenomenal support in my life.

[@AlaricHolmes]

All great advice, but the last one was perhaps one of the most important -- that said, diversifying your classes is very, very important; and I'd also recommend at least a couple classes on diversity itself, of one kind and/or another (some colleges actually make that a requirement, so... yeah, still a good idea). Also, while this is easier said than done, do a lot of soul-searching about what really makes you happy and not just what might be interesting and/or profitable. Finally, take a look at your _weaknesses_ (or _perceived_ weakness -- such as, for some people, math) and take classes that force you to expand yourself in ways that go beyond just building on your strengths!

[@VivianDelphine]

This came out when I was 8 and I’m going to college in the fall...

[@clareogara]

Thank you for creating amazing videos! You and Hank have helped more people than you know.

[@rnerdynelle]

John's "I wanna be friends with you so bad" is the cutest thing ever. It was like puppies and kittens and babies threw up rainbows and butterflies of adorable onto my face.

[@alysonburch]

I was in the table top gaming club and volunteered in a bunch of community bands while I was working on my undergrad. Made lots of awesome friends and had a lot of great experiences. If you are undecided on what you want to major in, take a bunch of Gen Ed classes and find out what you're interested in! I started off as a music major and ended up as a Criminal Justice/Sociology major with a History minor.

[@aggbak1]

What are you making (money wise)

[@alysonburch]

I just signed on with a job in the CJ field making about 45k/yr.

[@loniker916]

@julia kolb The Fountainhead is a novel by Ayn Rand. It lays the groundwork for objectivism, a philisophical system in which individualism and the pursuit of individual happiness are paramount and will supposedly result in the best of all possible worlds. This is essentially the cornerstone for neoconservative thought, at least in America, and can be seen currently manifested by the Tea Party. It's a great novel...but take it with a grain of salt. Rand ignores a lot of inherent inequality, racism, class, economic equilibriums, etc.

[@diarya5573]

Even if Rand ignores the impossibility of setting up such a society in the status quo, what actually matters about the novels( in my opinion) is more the philosophy: individual achievement against community achievement as a better route to progress.

[@carbonatedcafe]

This video has helped me through my first year at university, thanks John.

[@agi_b]

John, you're a wonderful human being. Thank you for your existing.

[@philosophywit3790]

You look like John green

[@alexandriajohnson4966]

he is

[@armankarimaghaei4269]

that's who he is

[@eliashodge9244]

+Voltkick Gaming sure he is

[@abbyshore9953]

+Elias Hodge He is though.

[@armankarimaghaei4269]

+Elias Hodge he actually is

[@fabbriziocalamitous6369]

I struggled the entire time in high school. I really did not get it. The pressure was not my own, it was instilled by the people around me, which made me very disconnected from the actual concern of doing well in high school. I specifically did not want to do the work, because instead of helping me understand how it would benefit me to do well, my parents and teachers were all just telling me I have to get it done, end of story. And it really kind of spoiled my view of education. So I took a year off after graduation (which I still can't believe I managed to), got a job, learned some hands-on kitchen skills and took on a bit of responsibility, and it definitely did help. But it got to the point where I began to freak out. All my friends were at college and it felt like I was letting my life waste away. So I took advantage of PSEO (an opportunity for a year of free education at a pretty decent community college) and suddenly I'm actually very much making the most of my classes, because it's now my choice. I could be spending this time playing video games or getting caught up on all those old Teen Titans comics I bought once upon a time, but instead I voluntarily forfeited my days to education. So it's much easier to get motivated and make the most of it. And I can only hope that sense of responsibility gets stronger when the free ride hits its last stop and I have to open up my wallet.

[@nhipham4807]

Still comes back to this video. I watched it before high school, in high school and now I'm in college. Totally relate to the friend bit. (kinda can't help it but I am trying).

[@woodfur00]

Relevant eight years later, class of 2022. John, thank you-this alleviated some of my fears.

[@annabellebarr6248]

I love your fields of expertise

[@rachelwhite7834]

I have the same internal reaction when I want to be friends with someone!! also after the point of be on friendly terms with them I just want to be all "these are the various reasons you are awesome and oh gosh so glad your here!!!"

[@lovemydog21]

Slowly compiling Vlogrbother's videos I will most definitely find helpful later in life...yeah. This is one of them.

[@lukeedwards4928]

Watching old videos to help cool down, 1:20 to 1:45 was, quite the advice indeed

[@lukethomas658]

Out of curiosity, does anyone else use autoplay, & understand the algorithm behind it? When I start on a vlogbrothers or even hankschannel video, it always ends up playing all John videos.

[@TheGreatRakatan]

College was a wonderful opportunity to get used to living on your own before having to actually start for real living on your own. You are MUCH more likely to meet people who share your interests because you will be in classes that you are interested in. You will have the opportunity to engage in things that you wouldn't normally seek out. You will hopefully be removed from your comfort zone so that you will be forced to grow as a person. You also should be provided a perfect environment to fail. To do things incorrectly and have the opportunity to learn from it and fail less. These are things that I firmly believe cannot be replaced by reading something off the internet or simply going to venues because you will never be forced into those kinds of things and for people who are scared, it is almost completely necessary to be forced into such situations. College is great and worth investing in if the things I described above are things that interest you. Make sure you want to go to college though. Otherwise, these things won't apply. And anyone telling you that an online degree is just as good REALLY missed out on the life experience part of college, and only got the academic experience which really is useless without the former anyway.

[@KazisCollection]

You will be in classes you are interested in? Not in engineering lmao

[@dottidee4297]

man this helped a lot. one day ill meet you vlogbrothers on that day i'll tell you how you made me braver. how you made me happy and excited about the life i live and continue living.

[@cds0114]

This video kept me sane on my last day at home

[@liz-sp2nf]

As a current college freshman, I really appreciate this advice. However, I do live in a dorm where I have to clean my bathroom, including the toilet.

[@SputnikCrisis]

I leave in a week, I'm so excited!

[@aarthiandahalf]

So how's it going?

[@kareivuxk3314]

Tell us all about it!

[@Labadabadubdub]

Did you graduate?

[@ThatShouldBeMexD]

that is probably the most accurate advice I have heard! Thanks John! I have made it through my first year of college and I am now ready to conquer the future years in school (and after)!

[@summertizzime]

OMG. I love you for "don't get too excited about the Fountainhead" Great advice!

[@brennens8849]

DON’T GET TOO EXCITED ABOUT THE FOUNTAINHEAD

[@GiangPham-zj3pv]

does he mean the book by ayn rand

[@dewayner5388]

Giang Pham Yes. He hates Ayn Rand (most very well read and liberal people do, I’ve noticed) with a burning passion.

[@fabricio_santana]

Stick to just "well-read", 'cause most liberals nowadays aren't that.

[@fulanodetal3614]

First: My parents won't let me move away. Second: If I want to get a degree, it has to be in engineering (the only type of degree my parents approve of) Third: some of my weekly chores (that, may I add, never got an allowance from) were cleaning the family toilet, mowing the lawn, cooking breakfast, cooking lunch, cooking dinner, making dessert, driving my siblings everywhere, and making all the mistakes first because apparently I'm an idiot (according to my siblings). Because of these factors, let me take a moment to be extremely jealous of you, then take another moment to say that you are a massive lier and that college sucks. Hard. Thank you for your time.

[@thg_2728]

Fulano De Tal it’s up to you by this point, as someone who is in a similar situation (apart from parents not letting me move away) I feel your pain. The only reason my parents will let me move away is because the closest uni (medical school) is too far. But you’ll be 18 and it’ll be your choice, I say go against what your parents say, move away and gain that independence, BE FREEEEEEEEEEE. But I understand if you can’t or won’t because I’m in a similar situation and it’s really difficult

[@glassunicorn4583]

That sounds terrible. Though honestly I've heard about of a lot of parents like this and they all seem like really wanted to have a kid who isn't in college so maybe you could use that against them. Or you could try to pay your way through college or not go. Though all these options sound terrifying so does the alternative. Maybe you can at least get a minor in something you like.

[@aidaofearth]

9 years later this is still massively helpful and relevant

[@uhmuhn]

Oh man! I wish I'd seen this before! I DID get really excited about the fountainhead. I read it when I was 14 but college seemed like a good time to tell the world about it. I got over it.

[@saraideese6010]

I'm 12 and have to clean my own toilet!😂

[@kob6912]

**looks up hypochondriac** I think I may have that...

[@madelinejewell2629]

John, I'm starting college August 30th, and I'm already freaking out. I just want to thank you for making videos where college is the main topic. Neither of my parents have degrees, and I'm going to a university 3 hours away from the only home I've ever known, so your advice is just...amazing. I know that there are books that can help, but...I trust you John, a lot. You help give me the courage to go, and remind me that I'll be coming back home for Thanksgiving soon enough. So thank you.

[@abigailchorley8118]

John is kind of like an adorable dog in this video and I love it.

[@elliotjackson9434]

STORY TIME - During our first year of college, my best friend's roommate got up out of bed and peed on his own laptop whistle sleep walking during the middle of the night. Afterwards, he crawled back into bed, whimpering until he fell back asleep. Both his roommate's girlfriend and and my best friend were absolutely horrified, though luckily, nothing my friend owned was peed on. Apparently, the roommate doesn't remember the incident. (Because, y'kno, sleepwalking).

[@sheaelliott942]

"Aids, Ebola, and Emerging Viruses" Well Ebola broke out... and I've heard quite a bit about Aids... Wonder what other viruses were mentioned in that class

[@ayellalot]

I love that cheeky little smile at the end John. Nice reference.

[@ariah38]

I just want to say that I started college a week ago and this video made me cry. Just really good advise that means a lot to me. Thank you.

[@RilianSharp]

I've never read the fountainhead.

[@JayPersing]

The ...Fountain head? What the heck is that?

[@ChrisMM65]

A book by Ayn Rand. Popular among college students, but apparently doesn't have a long lasting impression.

[@TheOsamaBahama]

***** It's wounderfull that in the U.S. The Fountainhead is a popular book among college students ! You know what book is popular among college students here in Brazil ? The communist manifesto.

[@hshartman]

this video is just sooooo quotable. I love it.

[@FeliciaFollum]

yes! being well rounded is huge especially as an artist!

[@nothing-2-live-4]

He's giving advice to himself. he says that more students than you think might have problems with peeing and throwing up on things i think is a reference to some shit about how the beloved john green once threw up into the air conditioning vent in somebody's house, but also; equal probability not lol.

[@nothing-2-live-4]

+ the fountainhead thing, duh. how obvious is it

[@gustavatkinson3281]

My personal advise on college: dont take it too seriously. It's worthless really. If you want to learn, you can learn anything in the internet. If you want social interaction just go places like the bowling alley, the casino, the clubs, the beach, etc. The best part about college comes after college and that is when you find out that your hard earned diploma doesn't really get you a gratifying job because we are living in a really crap job market and luck and contacts have more to do with getting a job than getting a solid career on academics. Also it's very important that you take the chance to do internships. This is more important than academics as you will get experience and contacts that you can use to get the job.

[@gustavatkinson3281]

Expanding your mind is something you can do without enduring 4-6 years of stress and a bunch of money.

[@TheGreatRakatan]

Gustav Atkinson Well yes, if you ONLY look at it from the point of view of being expensive and stressful. You are just going to have a pretty crappy life if you only look at the bad parts of something. Like being in a romantic relationship means you are at the whim of someone else and it's expensive, or having a child is expensive and stressful. Expanding your mind isn't something that can be done by only sitting in front of a computer screen learning off the internet.

[@gustavatkinson3281]

TheGreatRakatan I'm sure people will be inclined to believe that. I think that the future will be online learning. Couple EdX with LinkedIn and Monster and you have a career builder right there that can analyze the careers with the best opportunities. The current model is obsolete.

[@TheGreatRakatan]

Gustav Atkinson I cannot tell you how much I learned from going to college and how much of it I didn't learn in a classroom. It may be true that people can get those kinds of experiences elsewhere, but who says they will be inclined to, sitting in front of their computer screens. People don't just leave their comfort zones willy nilly. It takes forcing, and that is exactly what college does. I don't think there is any replacement.

[@soCptObvious]

Gustav Atkinson you overlook a lot in your arguments, first being some fields require a college degree and "I did 76 hours of internet research" won't cut it. Also, once the job market recovers (eventually it will) you 100s of hours on learning management skills and reading Lean In and just using the internet will, and I mean will, fall to a 20some year old with a fresh bachelors in human resources. Many major corporations require a degree to get to the upper levels. If for no other reason than it shows dedication to the subject.

[@audreyfeist3327]

Each year I of High School I have come back to this video to get me prepared for College. I am now getting ready to apply for scholarships and have gone to at least 3 college fairs.

[@95Capricorn]

I love when current vlogbrothers auto-play sends me to a 9-year old video, that I have definitely watched. But the change in John and puff levels is WILD every time.

[@ericfellner2689]

John Green, maybe YOU didn't have to clean the toilets. Also, you did, you worked at Stake n Shake

[@LauraSomeNumber]

Yes but when you clean other peoples toilets you never have to admit how truly gross you are. That's a shame you only feel when it's your own toilet.

[@ericfellner2689]

+Laura Some Number I mean...maybe YOU do...wipe the seat every time. You're not an animal.

[@LauraSomeNumber]

True

[@Yakuso]

I am graduating from college this December, and what I have learned the past 3 1/2 years is the college experience is highly overrated. Yes, go to it so that you may earn a degree which will get you a good job, but honestly after freshman year college just, drops. I can't think a better word than that. Maybe this is my experience because I had a some what time consuming major, but college was often not very fun, even after joining a few clubs I rarely ever had time for. Now that I am graduating and have decent job, I feel like my life will get much better. College will finally be a thing of the past.

[@kristaeh31]

I leave for college tomorrow and was freaking out about it. Oddly enough, I found this video while going through the vlogbrothers videos,and I actually feel a little bit better now. :)

[@Nightgina]

This will always be my favorite video solely because it was the first vlogbrother's video I watched :3

[@carrotcake6572]

These kids are thirty years old now

[@thintick6504]

It’s odd to think of how old this channel is now

[@kelsidavis9790]

WHAT IS THE FOUNTAINHEAD

[@sabrinalojik2565]

An Ayn Rand, novel. So if you first assumption is that anything Ayn Rand says is a crock a shit you're going to have a bad time. But, if you read looking for parts you agree with AND parts you disagree with, you'll enjoy and learn something very valuable. I love the book but mileage varies.

[@lidiluvu]

#4: Roadtrips. Take them. Thanks for that advice, I was having trouble deciding on that. I'm planning on Greyhounding from Florida to Oregon this winter, and now I know that I've got to.

[@omgfreakay]

Wow, the Fountainhead advice was the best advice I have heard in years. John, you are perfect.

[@naominekomimi]

What was the fountainhead a reference to?

[@Lemwell7]

+Naomi Nekomimi An Ayn Rand book. Apparently John Green has hated Ayn Rand his whole life. Same.

[@naominekomimi]

+Lemwell7 Hm. I still don't really get what he really meant by the reference though.

[@Lemwell7]

+Naomi Nekomimi He's warning people to not start getting too into Ayn Rand because a lot of people get really into Rand in college.

[@soulresuscitate]

This is a post John made about Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand's longer follow-up book with similar philosophies), but he's made the same comments about The Fountainhead.

[@soulresuscitate]

+soulresuscitate fishingboatproceeds.tumblr.com/post/33368505026/why-i-hate-atlas-shrugged-with-a-white-hot-passion

[@TheEJD26]

Yes. The good news is there is help. I have struggled and felt horrible but I have never given up. As a result I was recently diagnosed with a problem that has been holding me back. The best part about university IS that it's terrifying. It prepares you not only for a career but makes you better at life in general. It does suck sometimes but it is definitely worth it. Provided you never quit you will enjoy university.

[@RealityandMyth624]

I am about to begin my second year of university (I'm Australian) and this video was still incredibly helpful for me :) There are over 500 clubs at my campus, and I've yet to join any after two whole semesters...but I've now resolved to give one (or more, as you said) a shot. Thanks!

[@annaslater11]

One time in my first year of college I met John Green because his old professor is my advisor it was awesome.

[@Kitinetnies]

I didn't start school until after military service, so I started my freshman year at 30, and had been married 5 years. we share a major (anthropology), share classes, and now that we have a daughter, share homework duties. I may miss out on a lot of the elements a freshman should have in their initial year, but I got a lot of that road trip/binge drinking/omg girls stuff when I was in the coast guard. I'm now entering my senior year.

[@TheQueerTailor]

I was planning on going to a 4 year college out of state. This spring my dad got very sick and i didn't get enough scholarships and now I have to go to a community college, live at home, and get my associates degree. I'm really sad that I don't get that independence and its really hard to watch my friends go off to college while i am going to be doing basically exactly what I did all through high school. Nerdfighters: do you have any advice?

[@steponme208]

I'm a senior in college and this video makes me feel immensely better about my college experience.

[@snowpearl5908]

Taking different classes is so true. I really like art, but I took a business and end up loving it.

[@minoritymex72]

Thank you John, I'm in my first week in college right now, and it's a scary time for me. But this advice helped me realize that I probably should calm the f**k down a bit and enjoy the little things here.

[@katherinecraig8540]

Lol this is maybe the best advice & fairest summation of the college experience I've ever heard! Couldn't agree more with all of that.

[@mamihlapinatapai17]

That fields of expertise pun really got me! hahah you're brilliant.

[@witchfynder_finder]

I agree wholeheartedly with John's advice on road trips. My roommate and I once drove about an hour and a half (not a very long roadtrip, but we're nerds, cut us some slack) to see a concert and it ended up being one of the things that made us best friends instead of just dudes who live together.

[@JasWritesInDarkness]

I'm watching this for the second time because I'm going back to school soon and I need a reminder of how to get back on the track of actually not getting caught up in the little things and remember to study.

[@juanborjas6416]

Thank you for the advice John.

[@CeceDoesArt]

I can't wait till college bow! Thanxx John!!

[@hollygarfield123]

best advice i've ever gotten honestly. most adults will tell you to avoid all the fun stuff and just focus on your studies and finishing with straight A's and not getting involved in all the horrible horrible fun things that are there to distract you from your studies and drag you down to hell with their drinking and skipping class but john is like no, what i'm saying is definitely d those things, the road trips and the spontaneous, memory-forming things, but also learn and get the most out of your experience and i think that's important in the age that we live in where school can so easily become all you are and all that matters to you but that's so far from the truth. i remember this one time i had a detention for being late to class too much and at my school that make you write at least four pages answering pointless questions that it's likely nobody will read and on of the questions was "what did you do this weekend? are you happy with how you're spending your time and what else could you be spending your time doing that would be more productive?" which is first of all incredibly condescending as it implies that everyone in detention and therefore reading these questions has questionable weekend activities that aren't productive and therefore should be shameful, but also not just one question. but i digress, i answered (and this is the short version because four pages is an awful lot of space to take up answering only about five questions so my version is rather longer and unnecessarily verbose) "this weekend i went to the beach with my friend bella. i don't regret it, even though at the time i had homework to do, bella invited me to the beach and i and trying to live a full life before i, along everyone else on earth, inevitably die. a full life, which you apparently have failed to notice, includes more than studying and working. sorry your life is sad, i had a fun weekend."

[@oneperson2person]

don't get too excited about the fountainhead...good advice John!

[@swiminbandgeek]

on number 1 you said the classes you take outside your field of study shape you alot i am just finishing my first semester of collage and im currently majoring in chemistry and i just realized that same fact from an ethics class i took this semester it has effected so much on the way i look at my decisions

[@jovanaavalos174]

Um I feel it is weird to address something that affected me personally in a KZbin comment section but I'm doing it anyway. This video was a great inspiration because I finally felt free of the need to feel that high school and college were great and would be the best years of my life. So thank you John Green.

[@xilurata]

i read the fountainhead my junior year of high school, and i definitely got excited about it.

[@ThePigeonsoup]

Dear John and Hank. (Hank and John) As a 23 year old who never finished college and regretted it, I'd like to thank you for helping me build the confidence to say "sod it, I can at least try" Inspired by your videos and the awesome that Nerdfightaria has achieved I have submitted my application to University and await responses. I feel I have in some way reduced my own personal world suck. Cheers.

[@theatrebum2010]

WHY NOT? I took a week long trip to Ireland in high school with my family and all we did was drive around Ireland and find awesome things. I wish I had had more time to see even more awesome things.

[@isabe1Ie]

you're one of few people who talk about university and don't make me feel nervous and anxious about it

[@magellan4914]

Man have not watched old vlogbros. 2:00 is brilliant

[@Linneamful]

I just finished up my first year, and while I agree that it may not be the best years of your life as a whole, for me it was by far my best year thus far. Find clubs, don't be afraid to be involved, meet AS MANY people as you can from all different backgrounds, and be willing to open up to a lot of new view points because you can learn SO much from a wide variety of new friends... It's not nearly as scary as it seems before you get there, promise. :)

[@thagreatzadenko]

oh yeah i have to write a roots/amistad comparison for class tomorrow. thanks for the reminder john!

[@wesayDUCKYDuck]

He tells me not to get excited about the only book I've been excited to read! Uuuurg John green!

[@andresito957]

My school has a nerdfighter club, and I am SO excited :)

[@TheAsymmetrical]

Last line just nailed it, so hard.

[@anotheronlineperson]

I wish I had watched this when I first entered college. I could have really really used the advice back then. Hope others find the advice useful! Goodness knows I would have.

[@Meditry93]

I just went on my first college road trip, and the entire time I was out with my friends, I couldn't help but remember what was said here about them. And all of it proved to be true. They are fantastic, take them.

[@catalystxx]

don't get too excited about the fountainhead- solid advice