Hit Play: My Favorite YouTube Channels

Remember when you had that seemingly impossible problem in calculus or when you struggled to grasp the idea behind that chemical reaction in class? How about that time when you were struggling to fix a computer glitch that was sucking away precious hours from your game time? Wasn’t there a time when you fell so down you just wanted to spend the day looking at funny videos online? In any of these instances, there is a big chance that you searched for YouTube videos for supplementary lessons, troubleshooting tutorials, and videos about weird cats (or babies).

Not only does it provide entertainment, it is also a big collection of ideas and solutions to various kinds of problems. There are thousands of YouTube channels out there, but they are not created equal. Here are some of the best, IMO.

I’ve watched a lot of videos with study tips before, but this is one of those channels where the one offering the study tips is a guy. What I like about this channel is that the videos are short, to the point, and funny. I have nothing against other channels that offer study tips, but most of them offer the same or similar tips. Thomas Frank, on the other hand, has a lot more tricks up his sleeve. Being a big fan of life and motivation hacks since college, this guy offers a no-nonsense approach to studying. He does not have the usual cute notebooks and pens that other YouTubers have, but his methods are well-researched and advanced. He backs up his tips with scientific research and historical references. If you’re looking for hardcore study tips, this is the channel for you.

If you’ve ever found yourself without money when you need it the most, check this channel out. Created by a former financial hot mess, The Financial Diet offers practical advices for people who are struggling with money and are having a hard time making ends meet. Their suggestions are mostly applicable to young adults, but the older audience could still benefit from them. They share their experiences and advice from how you could make college cheaper to how to invest when you’re still paying for loans. The videos are also really short, but packed with helpful information.

It is no secret that I love watching BookTube. I want to know what books everyone is talking about and what they are about. This channel, previously called HaileyHeartsNYC, is one of my favorites when it comes to this genre. Hailey talks about the books in such an engaging manner, and she always speaks her mind. When she doesn’t like a particular book, she makes sure to explain why. When it comes to young adult books and anything remotely related to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, she’s the BookTuber to watch.

My love for this channel is evident on the fact that Mer’s photo was my desktop background for two whole years. She’s also currently my phone wallpaper. I don’t know what it is about her videos, but it makes me more motivated to take care of myself, to be productive, and to enjoy life in general. I think I just strongly relate to her. I also admire how she was able to stand up against her bullies and was able to continue what she does best despite criticisms from people around her. She’s definitely more on the girly side, so if you’re into that, go check her channel out.

YouTube is not short of strong female personalities who are making their mark in the world, and Marie Forleo is one of them. This former barista tackles important issues and interviews influential celebrities in her channel. What I like about her is how eloquently she speaks and how high-spirited she is. The way she talks reflects her passion for what she does and her interest about the topic she’s discussing. She could be your next source of inspiration, so check her channel out.

As much as I like looking for tips, there really is no substitute for actual studying and learning. In Crash Course, brothers Hank and John Green (yep, the famous author of Paper Towns and The Fault in Our Stars) briefly discuss lessons regarding philosophy, literature, history, etc. This channel is perfect for those who want to learn more about these areas but have little time to actually read books. They tend to talk really fast, though, and you have to give them your undivided attention if you really want to learn. Because they offer crash courses, the lessons are already summarized, leaving only the most important details of the subject. If you have a major exam coming, you might find a summary of your lesson here.

When you’re looking for speeches about relevant issues, TED is the place to go. This channel has a lot of sister channels that showcase independently organized TED talks, so you won’t run out of material to watch. It is worth checking out if you’re looking to improve your public speaking skills because they invite some of the best speakers in the world who are authorities in their respective fields. My personal favorite is “Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator” by Tim Urban. If you’re familiar with this channel already, tell me in the comments section below what your favorite TED talk is.

Fearless broadcasting. That’s what Vice News embodies. I had been hearing stories about the terrifying circumstances in wars, but it was only when I discovered this channel that I was able to see high-quality videos of the actual encounters, bombings, and brutalities. I thought I wouldn’t be able to take the gore, but my heart aches more than my stomach weakens. I had seen Turkish soldiers captured and about to be beheaded, children swearing to protect the caliphate with their lives, and families losing loved ones because of stupid reasons. There are a lot of heavy contents in this channel, but it’s worth checking out.

How about you? What’s your favorite YouTube channel?