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#HotNerdFall: Megan Thee Stallion, Yara Shahidi & Other Celebs Who Put Their Education First

In 2016, black women became the most educated demographic in the US, further proving the theory that our mothers didn't raise any fools. Whether you went to a PWI, HBCU, community college or trade school, getting a little extra training in your field of choice is always a good idea.

While college may not be the only route to success, it can certainly illuminate a number of pathways. This was especially true for celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion and Yara Shahidi, who are both currently pursuing four-year degrees while maintaining full-time entertainment careers. This fall, Yara is heading back to Harvard for her sophomore year, and Megan, who is enrolled at Texas Southern studying health administration, says that she's fully prepared to make this a #HotGirlSemester to remember. The rapper told Access Hollywood:

"So, being a hot girl is like a lifestyle and everybody knows I'm still in college. It's gonna be a real hot girl semester, you know what I'm saying? Real hot nerd fall. So, I'm just about to start putting on for all my school girls."

After losing her mother earlier this year to a long-standing brain tumor, Megan has her sights set on using her platform to put other women on the power of education and open assisted living homes in Houston. She continued:

"I want to show other girls how happy I am and how confident I am, how I still want to go to school and I still want to rap. I just want to be like a good example to somebody in the future."

Along with Meg, here are four other celebrities who will inspire you to have one helluva #HotNerdFall:

Yara Shahidi

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Yara (يارا‎) Shahidi on Instagram: “Power moves💎Power suit”

While Yara may be on track to be a giant in the entertainment industry now, she also says that she will not compromise her education for a chance at Hollywood. After taking a gap year, Yara began her sophomore year in 2018, accompanied by a recommendation letter written by Michelle Obama herself. In an interview with Glamour, the actress said:

"Hollywood isn't moving anywhere. I'll figure it out when I get back."

Issa Rae

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Issa Rae on Instagram: “This sound like Issa with the braids. @ABlackLadySketchShow premieres tomorrow on HBO! Thanks, @fallontonight! Photo: Andrew Lipovsky/NBC…”

College is good for more than just a degree, being in school can allow you to meet some major contacts too, sis. Just ask Issa Rae, who met the co-producer of her first major web series, Tracy Oliver, while pursuing African American studies at Stanford.

Ciara

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Instagram post by Ciara • May 16, 2019 at 5:33pm UTC

Generating multiple streams of income ain't easy, so Ciara enrolled in Harvard's four-day intensive business program to equip herself with all the tools she needs to be a mommy mogul. The "Level Up" singer said that taking the classes not only helped her dreams of being a college grad come true but helped further the agenda of her new entertainment label, Beauty Marks.

Lupita Nyong’o

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Lupita Nyong'o on Instagram: “Distant memories of rest.”

Before her breakout role in 12 Years a Slave, Lupita was getting her college degrees all the way together. After graduating with a bachelor's in theatre studies from Hampshire College, Lupita went on to study acting at the Yale School of Acting.

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