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Michelle Obama has celebrated college signing day with thousands of screaming students during a high-energy appearance at UCLA with a host of other celebrities. 

The former first lady took to the stage flashing her abs in a Compton College shirt on Wednesday as she congratulated high school students who have chosen to go to college. 

Obama started the college signing day event back in 2014 with Reach Higher - the organization she founded as first lady to inspire students to attend college, a training program or join the military. 

Taking to the stage to deafening cheers from the 10,000 students, Obama said she was proud of all of the students for choosing to further their education.

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Former first lady Michelle Obama addresses the crowd at Pauley Pavilion on the UCLA campus on Wednesday

Obama pointed out that she was wearing a Compton College shirt because she wanted to give community colleges 'a little extra love'

The former first lady took to the stage wearing a Compton College shirt on Wednesday at UCLA after being introduced by TV host Conan O'Brien

'I want you all to know you personally are about to make the best investment that you can possibly make,' she said.

'That's true whether you're going to a trade school, or to the military or to a community college or to a four-year university.'

Obama pointed out that she was wearing a Compton College shirt because she wanted to give community colleges 'a little extra love'. 

'We are fortunate in this country to have an amazing community college system, and Compton College has a great story to tell,' she said. 

'The school fell on some tough times a few years ago, but they buckled down, they worked hard and now they're back on their feet and providing an excellent, affordable education to thousands of students every year.

'They're showing once again that you just don't count out folks from Compton.'

While congratulating the students for overcoming hurdles to get where they are, Obama also warned that some people would try to bring them down.  

Obama started the college signing day event back in 2014 with Reach Higher - the organization she founded as first lady to inspire students to attend college, a training program or join the military 

Taking to the stage to deafening cheers from the 10,000 students, Obama said she was proud of all of the students for choosing to further their education

Obama gave out hugs and said she was proud of all of the students for choosing to further their education at the UCLA event on Wednesday 

While congratulating the students for overcoming hurdles to get where they are, Obama also warned that some people would try to bring them down

'When I was in high school and I wanted to apply to the college of my choice I had someone tell me that I shouldn't reach too high,' she said. 

'They told me that I wanted too much for myself - I should dream a little smaller, and let me tell you that will happen to you again and again and again. 

'There will be people in your life that will tell you not to dream too big because they are haters, and they don't want anymore for you than they think that you should deserve.

'In those moments, because they will happen - they've happened to me, they've happened to my husband, where people said you don't belong, this isn't for you - in those times... you have to ask yourselves whether you're going to believe the haters or whether you're going to believe the own truth of your story.

'If you stumble, I want you to get back up. It's not about not making mistakes. It's not about not failing. Anybody whose achieved anything has failed and failed again... it's the ability to bounce back from that failure. That's what makes you a true champion.'

Conan O'Brien, Kelly Rowland, Bebe Rexha, Jesse Williams, Usher, Pentatonix, La La Anthony and Don Cheadle were among the celebrities to join Obama at the event. 

The UCLA event that Obama attended was just one of 3,000 held across the country.