He never got an university degree

This Galileo fact, that he was one of the greatest scientists of all time and a college dropout, may definitely offer you confidence and perspective if you've been feeling like a failure lately or still don't know what to do with your life!

Galileo was sent to study at the University of Pisa at the age of 16 due to his outstanding intelligence. The young man came here to study medicine at first, but his interest in mathematics grew. Galileo claims that the world is "written in the language of mathematics, and its characters are triangles, circles, and other geometric shapes, without which man cannot grasp a single word." However, in 1585, the eager student was compelled to stop his studies without a diploma and start teaching himself mathematics and natural philosophy due to financial constraints. Prior to triumphantly returning to school in 1589 as a full professor of mathematics, Galileo studied mathematics on his own and with tutors.

He received a request to teach mathematics at the University of Pisa in 1589. After his father passed away in 1592, he relocated to Padua where, from 1592 to 1610, he served as a professor of geometry, mechanics, and astronomy at the University of Padua.