--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't go to university. I didn't go to…" description: "\"I didn't go to university. I didn't go to culinary school, barely made it through high school.\" — Tom Douglas" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/tom-douglas-3702_barely_i-didn-t-go-to-university-i-didn-t-go-to_318091.jpg" --- # I didn't go to university. I didn't go to culinary school… ![“I didn't go to university. I didn't go to culinary school, barely made it through high school.” quote by Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/tom-douglas-3702_barely_i-didn-t-go-to-university-i-didn-t-go-to_318091.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/tom-douglas-3702_barely_i-didn-t-go-to-university-i-didn-t-go-to_318091.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/tom-douglas-3702_barely_i-didn-t-go-to-university-i-didn-t-go-to_318091.jpg) > “I didn't go to university. I didn't go to culinary school, barely made it through high school.” [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights success without formal education, emphasizing perseverance. **In simple terms:** Success can come without formal schooling. Key Takeaway Rely on experience and determination. Themes career education perseverance Mood inspirational practical Type career motivational When to use this quote - restaurant entrepreneurship - self‑taught cooking - career pivots - skill workshops Key Concepts self‑made success skill acquisition Questions to Reflect On - What skills did you learn outside school? - How can others leverage non‑traditional paths? A Different Perspective May downplay benefits of formal training. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Culinary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culinary/) [Culinary school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culinary-school/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [University](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/university/) ## Related quotes > [I didn't go to university. Didn't even finish A-levels. But I have sympathy for those who did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/i-didn-t-go-to-university-didn-t-even-finish-a-levels-but-i-have/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [I have made cassoulet more times than is advisable - first in culinary school, once with a friend for a dinner party, and at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-saffitz/i-have-made-cassoulet-more-times-than-is-advisable-first-in-culinary/) [Claire Saffitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-saffitz/) > [Ive never gone to culinary school, but I do love cooking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keshia-knight-pulliam/ive-never-gone-to-culinary-school-but-i-do-love-cooking/) [Keshia Knight Pulliam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keshia-knight-pulliam/) > [You know, I used to think I was a foodie, and then my wife went to culinary school and basically explained to me that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ty-burrell/you-know-i-used-to-think-i-was-a-foodie-and-then-my-wife-went-to/) [Ty Burrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ty-burrell/) > [It helps immerse yourself in what you potentially want to do. Being involved, learning firsthand and observing the craft and absorbing all you can,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giada-de-laurentiis/it-helps-immerse-yourself-in-what-you-potentially-want-to-do-being/) [Giada De Laurentiis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giada-de-laurentiis/) > [I was in culinary school for a little while, but it was just too hard to cut weight and cook at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-vanzant/i-was-in-culinary-school-for-a-little-while-but-it-was-just-too-hard/) [Paige VanZant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-vanzant/) > [At culinary school, none of the things we use to define ourselves outside that world - actor, producer, student - none of that matters.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-christian-olsen/at-culinary-school-none-of-the-things-we-use-to-define-ourselves/) [Eric Christian Olsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-christian-olsen/) > [My parents owned a soul food diner. It inspired me to go to culinary school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flavor-flav/my-parents-owned-a-soul-food-diner-it-inspired-me-to-go-to-culinary/) [Flavor Flav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flavor-flav/) > [I like to cook. I would probably go to culinary school in France if I had time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-alba/i-like-to-cook-i-would-probably-go-to-culinary-school-in-france-if-i/) [Jessica Alba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-alba/) > [I had a place to go to university; I was going to study history. I was in New York doing 'Arcadia,' and I suddenly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bel-powley/i-had-a-place-to-go-to-university-i-was-going-to-study-history-i-was/) [Bel Powley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bel-powley/) > [My experience came before most of you were born. My school was a state school in Leeds and the headmaster usually sent students to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bennett/my-experience-came-before-most-of-you-were-born-my-school-was-a-state/) [Alan Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bennett/) > [I never thought about becoming an actor. Even when I applied for university, I didn't choose theater as a major to become an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gong-yoo/i-never-thought-about-becoming-an-actor-even-when-i-applied-for/) [Gong Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gong-yoo/) > [I went to McGill University, but I didn't graduate. They won't graduate me because I didn't have a degree in any one thing. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachelle-lefevre/i-went-to-mcgill-university-but-i-didn-t-graduate-they-won-t-graduate/) [Rachelle Lefevre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachelle-lefevre/) > [When I left university, I didn't want to jump into anything right away. Music certainly wasn't a burning ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-de-burgh/when-i-left-university-i-didn-t-want-to-jump-into-anything-right-away/) [Chris de Burgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-de-burgh/) > [I didn't go to university. They offered me a job as a junior reporter and I went off to work for the Southern Reporter.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-douglas/i-didn-t-go-to-university-they-offered-me-a-job-as-a-junior-reporter/) [Jill Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-douglas/) ## More by Tom Douglas > [For a group of friends or a family dinner, fish tacos are popular and fun to make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/for-a-group-of-friends-or-a-family-dinner-fish-tacos-are-popular-and/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [Catfish has a nice firm texture and mild flavor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/catfish-has-a-nice-firm-texture-and-mild-flavor/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [At the fishmonger, choose fish with bright scales and clear eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/at-the-fishmonger-choose-fish-with-bright-scales-and-clear-eyes/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [We've become such a restaurant society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/we-ve-become-such-a-restaurant-society/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [I'm just sick of food going in the garbage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/i-m-just-sick-of-food-going-in-the-garbage/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [I was $4,000 short on my first payroll.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/i-was-4-000-short-on-my-first-payroll/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [There's a restaurant in Manhattan called Balthazar, and next to it is Balthazar Bakery. It's tiny, and it's very charming to have that little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/there-s-a-restaurant-in-manhattan-called-balthazar-and-next-to-it-is/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [If you don't have the confidence in baking, commit to making the recipe three times. The first two, do it exactly the way I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/if-you-don-t-have-the-confidence-in-baking-commit-to-making-the/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [Mastering one recipe is better than mastering too many. Learn something and own it, and you'll feel so much better about it. You'll have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/mastering-one-recipe-is-better-than-mastering-too-many-learn/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [I'm much less shy in conversation than I am on my own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/i-m-much-less-shy-in-conversation-than-i-am-on-my-own/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [Over the years I've tweaked my stuffing recipe many times, adding a variety of ingredients like sauteed wild mushrooms, dried cherries, fresh chevre, toasted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/over-the-years-i-ve-tweaked-my-stuffing-recipe-many-times-adding-a/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [If deep-frying catfish, try a dredge of seasoned flour and cornmeal and add some bacon fat to the oil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/if-deep-frying-catfish-try-a-dredge-of-seasoned-flour-and-cornmeal/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [The one thing I could do with my eyes closed is my Grandma's schnecken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/the-one-thing-i-could-do-with-my-eyes-closed-is-my-grandma-s-schnecken/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [I've been taught by everyone I've ever worked with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/i-ve-been-taught-by-everyone-i-ve-ever-worked-with/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) > [When I was young, I would make my parents breakfast in bed on Saturday mornings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-douglas/when-i-was-young-i-would-make-my-parents-breakfast-in-bed-on-saturday/) [Tom Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) [Explore all 124 Tom Douglas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-douglas/) ## More Barely quotes > [I barely knew I had skin before I met you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-waters/i-barely-knew-i-had-skin-before-i-met-you/) [Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-waters/) > [There's very little about being in a functional-M.R.I. scanner that is natural: you are flat on your back, absolutely still, with your head immobilized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-marantz-henig/there-s-very-little-about-being-in-a-functional-m-r-i-scanner-that-is/) [Robin Marantz Henig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-marantz-henig/) > [I can barely recall a single holiday when my father didn't make a scene or create some kind of chaos. We were always walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominique-moceanu/i-can-barely-recall-a-single-holiday-when-my-father-didn-t-make-a/) [Dominique Moceanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominique-moceanu/) > [I'm barely at home enough to enjoy the simple lifestyle that I want to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-vernon/i-m-barely-at-home-enough-to-enjoy-the-simple-lifestyle-that-i-want/) [Justin Vernon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-vernon/) > [On the ground, Johny Hendricks won. He beat GSP up. In the rounds Georges won, he barely won.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hughes/on-the-ground-johny-hendricks-won-he-beat-gsp-up-in-the-rounds/) [Matt Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hughes/) > [Had Elizabeth Bennet known how wildly Darcy's heart beat for her, 'Pride and Prejudice' would barely have made it into a short story. Their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariella-frostrup/had-elizabeth-bennet-known-how-wildly-darcy-s-heart-beat-for-her/) [Mariella Frostrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariella-frostrup/) > [I had barely turned 12 when my parents packed me off to Doon School. I was transported to a world of confusion with 600…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jyotiraditya-madhavrao-scindia/i-had-barely-turned-12-when-my-parents-packed-me-off-to-doon-school-i/) [Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jyotiraditya-madhavrao-scindia/) > [“I can barely conceive a type of beauty in which there is no melancholy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-baudelaire/i-can-barely-conceive-a-type-of-beauty-in-which-there-is-no-melancholy/) [Charles Baudelaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-baudelaire/) > [Today, barely 5 percent of all containers coming into the United States through our ports are scanned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alcee-hastings/today-barely-5-percent-of-all-containers-coming-into-the-united/) [Alcee Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alcee-hastings/) > [Whatever the reasons may be, I was very much affected by events of the 1930s - the Spanish Civil War, for example, though I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/whatever-the-reasons-may-be-i-was-very-much-affected-by-events-of-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The discoloration is very minimal. I have not turned blue. The extent of skin discoloration is not even remotely near what the news media…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-jones/the-discoloration-is-very-minimal-i-have-not-turned-blue-the-extent/) [Stan Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-jones/) > [Our society, where we are right now, our minds are junkyards. We watch TV and sit on the computer all day and barely have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/our-society-where-we-are-right-now-our-minds-are-junkyards-we-watch/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [I'm barely reading the 'New York Times!' But I do try to keep abreast of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-diamantopoulos/i-m-barely-reading-the-new-york-times-but-i-do-try-to-keep-abreast-of/) [Chris Diamantopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-diamantopoulos/) > [Even though we barely talk, I still wonder how you're doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/even-though-we-barely-talk-i-still-wonder-how-you-re-doing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I spend a lot of money on shoes and barely any on clothes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-dapperton/i-spend-a-lot-of-money-on-shoes-and-barely-any-on-clothes/) [Gus Dapperton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-dapperton/) Browse all 187 Barely quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I didn't go to university. 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