Welcome to the University of Hard Knocks

Est. 10,000 B.C. — Before Common Sense Was Common

At the University of Hard Knocks, we don’t teach from textbooks — we teach from experience. Brutal, glorious, character-shaping experience. Our alumni have failed, fallen, flopped, been fired, dumped, humbled, out-hustled, and underestimated. And that was just freshman year.

We offer no degrees, no safe spaces, and absolutely no refunds. What we do offer is a world-class curriculum in grit, humility, resilience, and bounce-back-ability. Our classrooms are boardrooms, barns, back alleys, job sites, and sometimes your parents’ basement.

Our Motto: Per Aspera ad Dominatum — Through Hardships to Mastery
Because anyone can read a book. We teach the ones who’ve been the book.

Programs of Study:

  • Advanced Mistake Recovery

  • Failure Analysis 401

  • Practical Applications of “Don’t Do That Again”

  • Intro to Eating Crow

  • Master’s in Getting Back Up After You’ve Fallen

Admissions

You're already enrolled. Life signed you up.
Orientation starts the moment you think you’ve got it all figured out.

For my friends on LinkedIn who prefer not to post the woke college they did or didn’t attend - you can now list yourself as University of Hardknocks Graduate, and when you, LinkedIn will offer the logo so your profile will professionally list your prestigious university.

I look forward to seeing you all at our next reunion!

Toby LaVigne - Full Time Student