When Stars Go Back to School: Celebrities (Fabulously) Pursuing Higher Education

Education is important in many ways - to prosper in careers, grow as an individual, and get greater knowledge. It's not important what profession you choose or what business you start. With the right education, you achieve more than what you would achieve without it.  

The biggest proof of the importance of education? Your fave celebrities who attended college even when they have achieved plenty in their careers.

Let's get into why college being a "thing" is the best thing.

Emma Watson

Most of us know her as the brilliant Hermione Granger from "Harry Potter." The famous star has had a magical academic journey. In 2014, she graduated from Brown University, where she studied English literature. Also, she expanded her horizons with courses at the esteemed Oxford University. Now, you might be wondering how these celebrities take out time to pursue education when they are so busy in their careers.

Whether it’s Emma Watson or someone else, they need professional help to do that. And in doing so, Edubirdie provides online help. With professional writers who provide research paper writing & editing services, study life becomes easy. With assistance from outside, you can do your own academic writing tasks easily and with greater confidence. This ensures better grades and of course, peace of mind.     

Sabrina Elba

Sabrina Dhowre Elba is renowned for her multifaceted career as a model and entrepreneur. She stands out in her collaborative ventures with her husband Idris Elba. Sabrina is a proud alumnus of Howard University, where she majored in English.     

Deion Sanders

The 56-year-old legendary athlete is an iconic figure. He is known for his outstanding career as a NFL Hall of Famer and as Coach Prime, an American football coach for the Colorado Buffaloes. He earned his degree from Talladega College in Aug 2020. Sanders' willingness to pursue a degree shows that you can continue education, no matter how busy or how successful you are in your career. His graduation is a great example for every young athlete who thinks that they cannot pursue their educational goals because of their commitments in sports.     

Conan O'Brien

Long before gracing late-night television, Conan O'Brien was a Harvard Lampoon legend. He not only graduated in 1985 but also served as the satirical paper's president. The editor-in-chief of the rival Harvard Crimson at the time was Jeff Zucker. He later played a part in O'Brien's late-night saga.   

James Franco

His academic journey is a whirlwind tour of prestigious institutions. He initially dropped out of UCLA but later earned his undergraduate degree in 2008. As a master's student, he studied at New York University, Columbia University, Brooklyn College, and Yale University.   

Oprah Winfrey

On the list of celebrities that went to college, Oprah Winfrey is a big name. Oprah took her initial steps toward higher education before dominating the entertainment world. In the 1970s, she enrolled at Tennessee State University. She pursued a major in Communications. But owing to her ambitions, she had to leave college in 1975, just one credit shy of graduation. She studied broadcast journalism. A decade later, in 1986, Winfrey's commitment to her educational aspirations took over again. She returned to Tennessee State University for a bachelor's degree in Communications and Performing Arts.   

Mindy Kaling

While studying theater at Dartmouth University, Mindy Kaling showcased her creativity beyond acting. Graduating in 2001, the Ivy League grad also contributed a daily comic strip, "Badly Drawn Girl," to the student newspaper.   

Megan Thee Stallion

The famous Grammy award-winning rapper is the perfect example of how you can pursue academic goals while excelling in your profession. She has achieved what many others cannot and that too, at a very young age. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Administration from Texas Southern University (TSU). Her dedication to education shows us the importance of pursuing academic goals. It's no surprise she's already putting her nutrition and fitness degree to use throughout her branding, plans to build local health centers, and her hot gym Tiktok vids.   

Sauce Gardner

Sauce Gardner is a talented NFL cornerback for the New York Jets. He left training camp for a few days this past summer to go back to his now alma mater to walk across the stage to receive his diploma.  He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. His academic achievements are a clear proof of how athletes can balance sports and academics.   

Yara Shahidi

Yara is EVERYTHING.  A youngin' who has achieved many big things in her career from a young age. She took a gap year before attending Harvard University. She wanted to explore her career interests and also go for formal education. We're almost positive she was nicknamed Kid Genius when she was little.  Her decision to prioritize education and make the most of her gap year – wrapping up her series "Black ish" and working on "Grown ish" – tells us a great real story of how your success needs more than just fame. Education simply adds more to it.  And so does a recommendation letter like Yara received from First Lady Michelle Obama.    

As you can see, there are many celebrities with college degrees. Their busy schedules or career aspirations do not stop them from getting quality education. As a student or a professional, you should also focus on education. It will ensure a good quality of life through well-established careers for you. And with help from outside, you can pursue your education without any roadblocks.  

Photos: Instagram/University of Cinncinatti/Talladega