Convocation speeches are typically brimming with advice for a fresh crop of graduates: dream big, follow your passion, be a leader.

Comedians are bucking that trend this year, and are  entertaining new grads with one-liners. Mindy Kaling addressed Harvard Law School's class of 2014, reminding them of the importance of their future jobs: "Defending BP from birds."

Ed Helms recently advised Cornell University grads to take any part in films with the word "Hangover" in it.

Meanwhile, 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' star Charlie Day reminded graduates from his alma mater Merrimack College that he's no Steve Jobs. "I don’t know how my computer works; I don't even know how my toaster works," he said.

Every once in a while, new graduates have the opportunity to take in some unconventional, but truly memorable, words of wisdom.

CTVNews.ca rounded up some unconventional advice offered to grads by celebrities who seemed to have advanced degrees from The School of Hard Knocks.

You don't have to have a dream

Australian comedian, actor, musician Tim Minchin addressing University of Western Australia graduates in 2013

"Americans on talent shows always talk about their dreams. Fine, if you have something you've always wanted to do, dreamed of in your heart, go for it. After all, it's something to do with your time, chasing your dream. And if it's a big enough one it will take you most of your life to achieve. So by the time you get to it and are staring into the abyss, into the meaningless of your achievement, you'll be almost dead so it won't matter. I never really had one of those dreams, so I advocate for the passionate dedication to the pursuit of short-term goals. Be micro-ambitious. Put your head down and work with pride on whatever is in front of you. You never know where you might end up. Just be aware the next worthy pursuit will probably appear in your periphery, which is why you should be careful of long-term dreams. If you focus too far in front of you, you won't see the shiny thing out the corner of your eye."     

Don't be afraid of failure

British novelist J.K. Rowling addressing Harvard University graduates in 2008

"Failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena I believed I truly belonged. I was set free, because my greatest fear had been realized, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life."

Don't choose a safe path

Actor Jim Carrey addressing Maharishi University of Management graduates in 2014

"My father could have been a great comedian, but he didn’t believe that that was possible for him, and so he made a conservative choice. Instead, he got a safe job as an accountant. When I was 12 years old, he was let go from that safe job, and our family had to do whatever we could to survive. I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which was that you can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love."

Don't be clever at the expense of others

Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos addressing Princeton University graduates in 2010

"It's harder to be kind than clever. Cleverness is a gift, kindness is a choice. Gifts are easy, they're given after all. Choices can be hard. You can seduce yourself with your gifts if you're not careful. And if you do it, will probably be to the detriment of your choices… Will you be clever at the expense of others, or will you be kind. I will hazard a prediction when you are 80 years old and in a quiet moment of reflection, narrating for only yourself, the most personal version of your life story, the telling that will be most compact and meaningful will be the series of choices you have made. In the end we are our choices. Build yourself a great story."

Don't be afraid of diversity, seek it out

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama addressing Eastern Kentucky University graduates in 2013

"If you’re a Democrat, spend some time talking to a Republican. And if you’re a Republican, have a chat with a Democrat. Maybe you’ll find some common ground, maybe you won’t. But if you honestly engage with an open mind and an open heart, I guarantee you will learn something. And goodness knows we need more of that. Because we know what happens when we only talk to people who think like we do -- we just get more stuck in our ways, more divided, and it gets harder to come together for a common purpose."