The answers to the three clues below will have something in common, as revealed by the fourth clue.

1. Formal education, as distinct from life experiences
2. Hold firm to one's principles
3. What life is like according to Forrest Gump (with A)
4. Smokers' superstitious no-no

Answers:

1. Book knowledge
2. Stick to your guns
3. Box of chocolates 

What they have in common:

The first word of each answer can be preceded by MATCH:

MATCH book
MATCH stick
MATCH box

4. Smokers' superstious no-no: THREE ON A MATCH 

Credit: LA Times Crossword
July 8, 2015
Jack McInturff
MEETING YOUR MATCH