TED Talks | 6 Inspiring Speeches Every Student Should Watch!

An acronym for Technology, Entertainment, and Design — TED is a platform that brings together industry professionals from across the globe. TED Talks have now evolved to become the gold standard for presentations in the consumer, education & business realms. 

Presentations on the TED platform use effective ways to communicate complex topics in an easy-to-understand way to a target audience. With the vast amount of topics available, choosing talks that inspire you can be beneficial for your academic career. 

Keep reading to discover 6 incredible TED Talks recommended for students! 

Arel Moodie – The Secret to Student Success 

• A TED talk that is based on the concept of grit, Arel Moodie delivers an inspiring presentation about the struggles of student life. 
• From elementary school to college, Moodie discusses his struggles, highlighting the peaks & valleys that characterize any student journey. 
• Moodie uses his 18 minutes to share his experiences on the reality of growing up in a New York neighborhood. 
• The unique elements of his story will resonate with you. The message he delivers has a broader perspective to inspire any student who is willing to learn.

Kelli Sandman-Hurley – What is Dyslexia? 

• Dyslexia is a condition that affects a significant portion of the student communities around the world (1 in 5 people). 
• It is, therefore, ‌likely that the peers you interact with may grapple with the struggles of having dyslexia. 
• Kelli Sandman-Hurley uses the TED Talks platform to explain the difficulty of language processing and the spectrum that dyslexia presents. 
• This is a talk that will help you recognize and celebrate the neurodiversity of student brain development. 
• Sandman-Hurley also emphasizes the use of labels in the student community, and how uniqueness does not require any conformity.

Tim Urban – Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator 

• Arguably one of the most popular TED Talks among the student community, this is a presentation by blogger Tim Urban. 
• If you struggle with meeting deadlines primarily because of your procrastination, this talk will help you recognize the why behind your inaction. 
• In this hilarious and interactive presentation, Urban discusses anxiety with unnecessary procrastination. 
• As a part of the talk, you will take away several simple time management tips to help improve the quality of your output. 

Margaret Heffernan – Dare to Disagree 

• Margaret Heffernan was the former CEO of 5 independent businesses and has now evolved to become a leader in ‌women entrepreneurship. 
• In this motivational speech for students, Heffernan explains the importance of standing up for what you believe in or what you believe is right. 
• She goes on to explain that disagreement is not always a bad thing! In fact, bringing up a topic you disagree on is a contributor to the success of a group or team. 
• This is primarily because disagreements bring to light key issues that need discussion, significantly eliminating any weaker points in strategy. 

Susan Cain – The Power of Introverts 

• Extroverts are recognized for their ability to be the life of the party. They are often seen and heard quite easily. 
• Modern society may emphasize extroversion, but if you are an introvert, you may be wondering — what can I bring to the table?
• Susan Cain challenges the societal perception of extroversion by discussing the power of knowing your inner self. 
• Throughout the presentation, Cain traces the cultural path of extroversion’s value over introversion. Her arguments include personal and historical examples to better connect with you. 
• With this talk, you will soon begin recognizing the balance needed between extroversion and introversion – allowing you to embrace all aspects of becoming a social being. 

Drew Dudley – Everyday Leadership

• Drew Dudley is a leadership author whose quick wit and humor will keep you engaged with his words till the end of his talk. 
• In this TED talk, Dudley urges students to redefine what it means to be a figure of leadership. 
• Leadership is often seen as the quality presented by someone whose aim is to change the world; a prestige that is often earned. 
• However, Dudley brings to light how everyday circumstances can give you unique opportunities to bring out the leader in you. 
• With anecdotes and examples, a key piece of knowledge that you will take away from this talk is the power of being a leader in your everyday life. 

Key Takeaways 

• TED Talks have evolved to become an online platform bustling with discussions and speeches by industry leaders and mentors. 
• As a student, engaging with inspiring and thought-provoking content is a great way to increase your knowledge, awareness, and exposure to life skills. 
• TED Talks often cover a wide range of topics across different industries. You can be sure to find a myriad of topics that interest and fascinate you. 
• Listed in this blog are 6 excellent talks for students to enjoy every day! 

We hope you found this blog informative. Don’t forget to comment below and share your thoughts! You can also get in touch with us if you have any doubts. 

Liked this blog? Read: Top 5 motivational stories every student should know | Get inspired today!

FAQs 

Q1. Can I listen to a TED talk in a language other than English? 

Answer – Absolutely! TED Talks are screened in over 100 different languages, allowing you to choose the tongue that you are most comfortable with. 

Q2. Are the presentations on-the-spot?

Answer – While the presentations and speeches may seem spontaneous, don’t be fooled! Hours of preparation go into creating engaging, creative, and stimulating content. 

Q3. Do speakers of TED Talks use visual aids & props? 

Answer – Yes! In most of the videos you come across, speakers will use visual aids & props to communicate information in an easy-to-understand and engaging way. Also, be sure to note the hand gestures and body language adopted by the speaker when communicating their ideas. A lot of thought goes into a presentation shared on this platform.