Connections Are Everything: A College Student's Guide to Relationship-Rich Education

by Peter Felten, Leo M. Lambert, Isis Artze-Vega

A practical guide to building the connections students need to thrive in and after college from the authors of the best-selling Relationship-Rich Education. Decades of research demonstrate how important the relationships with peers and professors are for students academically, personally, and professionally. Yet many students lack the strategies to develop educationally purposeful relationships in college. Connections Are Everything shows students the simple steps they can take to make their own college experience meaningful and transformational. In short, practical chapters, this guide helps readers learn how to build relationships through various strategies, including using "relationship accelerators" like internships and mentorships, undergraduate research, and campus employment. Undergraduate demographics have changed dramatically as students of color and first-generation students become the new majority at colleges and universities across the United States. Connections are particularly significant for these students; the positive―and negative―impacts of peer, faculty, and staff relationships are magnified. Higher education cannot meet students' needs or achieve equity, justice, and inclusion without relationship-rich education. This book empowers students to seek out relationships by demystifying the varied ways they can cultivate significant connections.

Genres: Nonfiction

184 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2023

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk why but part 3 had me ready to cry friendships are so beautiful

[Krystie Herndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the academic advisors in my unit received this book from our leadership team. Since I read higher education books as a hobby, nothing in this book was really new to me. Nevertheless, I appreciate the reminders of how to help students make those vital, personal connections in college. I am happy to serve as a catalyst for connecting folks!

[Medicore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was told to read this for college. The information was kind of basic, but there are still good gems and reminders in here— this would be a good book for someone who may have trouble adjusting and would like this help. 4 stars.

[Liana · Rating 3 out of 5]

required reading

[Mac]

Read it one sitting. Required reading. Whatever sure

[emmie sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is literally just the same 2 points repeated over and over for 140 pages

(assigned reading)

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful for students but not particularly well written

[Hannah Stake · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is literally the same scenario over and over. 1) college kid struggles 2) college kid gets out of their comfort zone and asks for help 3) college kid succeeds and makes a lifelong connection. This book is simply a poorly written “how to” on a “problem” that requires only common sense to solve. If this was not required reading I would have never finished it.