Year On, formerly UnCollege, is an organization which aims to equip students with the tools for self-directed learning and career building.

While there, Stephens had a night-long discussion with a friend regarding the disconnect between the theoretical subject matter taught in college and its real world applications.

[9][10][11][12] After his initial proposal was rejected, Stephens was encouraged to reapply in pursuit of his work as an educational futurist through UnCollege.

[13][14] The UnCollege website featured resources, forums, and workshops designed to help students, both in and out of college, with the task of self-directed learning.

[15][16][17][18][19][20] The site also hosted The UnCollege Manifesto, a 25-page document written by Stephens that covers subjects like "The value (or lack thereof) of a college degree" and "Twelve steps to self-directed learning.

"[21] Stephens expanded upon the approach described therein in a book, Hacking Your Education: Ditch the Lectures, Save Tens of Thousands, and Learn More Than Your Peers Ever Will, which was published in 2013.