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Freshman Year of Life
38 essays from top millennial writers on how they survived their first years out of college—a book conceived and promoted by a groundbreaking crowdsourcing startup.
Freshman Year of Life tells the truth about life after college graduation. But this isn’t your standard step-by-step guide to landing that interview or surviving a long distance breakup with your college sweetheart, though there are stories on both these topics. Freshman Year of Life is a collection of essays from top millennial voices that have been there before, wish they’d known some things they didn’t, but made it through all the same. This is not your mother’s first year out of college book, but a starker more inclusive portrayal of what it’s like to be out of school for people from all walks of life. These are the people recent grads turn to on the Internet to offer poignant witty advice or sly one liners about pop culture and politics, and these are the personal stories their social media followers and fans haven’t heard. This anthology is full of advice, insights, and anecdotes from 38 millennial role models’ lives, the real stories that show just how disillusioning, hilariously embarrassing, and self-revelatory the transition to the adult world can be. Readers will delight in the honest and down to earth tone these authors take when looking back on their first years out of college, and will find it easier to tackle adulthood on their own because of it.
Freshman Year of Life tells the truth about life after college graduation. But this isn’t your standard step-by-step guide to landing that interview or surviving a long distance breakup with your college sweetheart, though there are stories on both these topics. Freshman Year of Life is a collection of essays from top millennial voices that have been there before, wish they’d known some things they didn’t, but made it through all the same. This is not your mother’s first year out of college book, but a starker more inclusive portrayal of what it’s like to be out of school for people from all walks of life. These are the people recent grads turn to on the Internet to offer poignant witty advice or sly one liners about pop culture and politics, and these are the personal stories their social media followers and fans haven’t heard. This anthology is full of advice, insights, and anecdotes from 38 millennial role models’ lives, the real stories that show just how disillusioning, hilariously embarrassing, and self-revelatory the transition to the adult world can be. Readers will delight in the honest and down to earth tone these authors take when looking back on their first years out of college, and will find it easier to tackle adulthood on their own because of it.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 2016
6 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 2, 2017
I loved this book. That being said, there were no surprises as far as the content goes. The title tells you exactly what you are getting.
The essays in this collection are all short and easy reads. I read one or two a day on my breaks at work. These essays have impact, though. Some hit closer to home than others, but they were all relatable. I am about a decade past my 'freshman year of life ,' but I still found wisdom and comfort in the pages of this book.
I really wish something like this had been available when I left college and was struggling to find my way. I am infinitely grateful that young people stepping out into the world will have this book to look to. And they will know they are not alone.
The essays in this collection are all short and easy reads. I read one or two a day on my breaks at work. These essays have impact, though. Some hit closer to home than others, but they were all relatable. I am about a decade past my 'freshman year of life ,' but I still found wisdom and comfort in the pages of this book.
I really wish something like this had been available when I left college and was struggling to find my way. I am infinitely grateful that young people stepping out into the world will have this book to look to. And they will know they are not alone.
August 7, 2017
"Freshman Year of Life" was an entertaining compilation and there is some useful advice in here. It is easy to read and the essays are organized well. It's not too deep but can still be quite inspirational, so I would rate it about 4.6. I would definitely recommend it to young people. My copy was obtained from a Goodreads giveaway and I appreciate the opportunity to read and review it.
April 25, 2017
{I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways} this is a decent concept and would be a nice graduation gift for someone finishing college--in particular a writer, in particular someone moving to NYC. nothing earth-shattering (N.B. I'm almost 40, so my freshman year of life was a long time ago) but certainly a worthwhile read. I appreciated the mix of memoir type pieces and more straightforward essays of advice.
December 5, 2017
I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway...
I really loved the concept of this book... giving advice and providing insight into the years after college. I do think it could appeal to a wider audience if if featured more stories by people that did other things with their life besides moving to New York or California to pursue lives and careers. That aspect made much of the book not particularly relatable, but I still enjoyed reading about the experiences others have had in their years following college. And although many of these stories didn't apply to me I still found most of them very interesting and some of the stories were relatable or encouraging and gave me some things to consider in my own life. I think this is a book that anyone in their twenties should consider checking out. Hopefully it will give you some things to consider about your life.
I really loved the concept of this book... giving advice and providing insight into the years after college. I do think it could appeal to a wider audience if if featured more stories by people that did other things with their life besides moving to New York or California to pursue lives and careers. That aspect made much of the book not particularly relatable, but I still enjoyed reading about the experiences others have had in their years following college. And although many of these stories didn't apply to me I still found most of them very interesting and some of the stories were relatable or encouraging and gave me some things to consider in my own life. I think this is a book that anyone in their twenties should consider checking out. Hopefully it will give you some things to consider about your life.
June 9, 2017
A quick and enjoyable read that alternates between practical advice and personal essay. The variety of voices and experiences represented means that most readers will find at least one piece that really speaks to them - I know I did.
May 3, 2017
I received this book through Goodreads for my honest review.
Let me start off by saying I'm past my freshman year of life, hell I never even went to college. But neither of those are relevant to enjoying this book. At least one of these essays will hit home for anyone who reads this book. We've all been in a situation where we had to adult up and realized it may be a little harder than you expected or that things aren't quite going the way you'd like or that they never may.
This is a book for those that need the reassurance to let them know that they aren't alone, you're going to be unprepared no matter how much you try to prepare. And that it's okay to be afraid, to cry or need help. Your friends are in the same boat as you no matter how happy they look or how put together their life appears. The real world is hard always has been and always will be. Why we aren't told that or why we don't believe it I will never know.
Just remember that it's okay if you don't land that AMAZING job right outta school, if you have to move back home or kinda sorta cry yourself to sleep at night/randomly burst into tears. Everyone around you has been in the same boat as you in one way or another and they made it out the other side and so will you.
Let me start off by saying I'm past my freshman year of life, hell I never even went to college. But neither of those are relevant to enjoying this book. At least one of these essays will hit home for anyone who reads this book. We've all been in a situation where we had to adult up and realized it may be a little harder than you expected or that things aren't quite going the way you'd like or that they never may.
This is a book for those that need the reassurance to let them know that they aren't alone, you're going to be unprepared no matter how much you try to prepare. And that it's okay to be afraid, to cry or need help. Your friends are in the same boat as you no matter how happy they look or how put together their life appears. The real world is hard always has been and always will be. Why we aren't told that or why we don't believe it I will never know.
Just remember that it's okay if you don't land that AMAZING job right outta school, if you have to move back home or kinda sorta cry yourself to sleep at night/randomly burst into tears. Everyone around you has been in the same boat as you in one way or another and they made it out the other side and so will you.
September 18, 2017
Full disclosure, I am not a recent college graduate. In fact, I have children currently IN college and was excited to win this book in a giveaway so that I could pass it onto them. I was disappointed, however, in that most of the essays were irrelevant to starting out on one's own after college. Yes, there were some gems about courageously spending a year in France without knowing the language, listening to yourself instead of following the dreams of the parents, and several essays about being comfortable with yourself and true to your inner being.
I guess I was just expecting more. The essays were easy to read and some were engaging, but most were just words on a page.... telling someone's story but not really getting it to connect to anyone else.
Looking back on when I first left college and then have spent over 20 years in my career, I think most of the advice in this book is misguided and will not help Life Freshmans get to where they want to go. Most college grads lead complicated lives with histories of divorce, student loans looming over their lives, and uncertainty of what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Anecdotal essays could help them with all that, but RELEVANT essays would help more.
Not the book I would give to a recent college grad for advice.
I guess I was just expecting more. The essays were easy to read and some were engaging, but most were just words on a page.... telling someone's story but not really getting it to connect to anyone else.
Looking back on when I first left college and then have spent over 20 years in my career, I think most of the advice in this book is misguided and will not help Life Freshmans get to where they want to go. Most college grads lead complicated lives with histories of divorce, student loans looming over their lives, and uncertainty of what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Anecdotal essays could help them with all that, but RELEVANT essays would help more.
Not the book I would give to a recent college grad for advice.
December 10, 2022
My mom got me this book my freshman year of college, probably thinking it was a freshman year of COLLEGE book rather than freshman year of LIFE. I read the first few pages and told myself “this is for me after I graduate”. I took it from dorm, to sorority house, to apartments, and across the country once I graduated. It sat on my book shelf until one day I noticed it again and pulled it off the shelf. I read the first few pages and told myself “this is for me, because I just graduated”. I have read essays from this book on many days of my new adult life. Some of the essays I laugh out loud, some I don’t agree with, some lead me to journal a bit and some leave me full out crying and calling someone I love. This book is full of real life experiences after college. It has made me feel less alone in these weird years of being in my freshman year of life, and makes me realize I’m not the only one. I love this and am planning on giving this to my sister when she graduates in the spring. And maybe she will be like me and wait until it’s the right time to read the first few pages and tell herself “this is for me”. Cheers to everyone who has no idea what they are doing in this freshman year, and for me: years, of life!!
March 23, 2020
I'll be honest, I was about 10 pages short of finishing this book but did not want to continue. The essays did not cover a wide range of worldviews or perspectives. The majority of authors seemed quite liberal. Their advice stemmed from 3 main points of view: people living in New York, members of the LGBTQ community, and people who abruptly quit their jobs.
As someone 10 months removed from their college graduation, I was hoping to find more practical advice. While I appreciated and was able to connect with a few of the authors, mainly those who spoke to the struggle of starting at entry level positions or the loneliness that accompanies graduation, I was disappointed that there weren't more diverse viewpoints offered.
I would reccomend a select group of essays from this book to recent college grads, but not the book as a whole.
As someone 10 months removed from their college graduation, I was hoping to find more practical advice. While I appreciated and was able to connect with a few of the authors, mainly those who spoke to the struggle of starting at entry level positions or the loneliness that accompanies graduation, I was disappointed that there weren't more diverse viewpoints offered.
I would reccomend a select group of essays from this book to recent college grads, but not the book as a whole.
December 29, 2017
entertaining and reassuring read, though nothing life changing. The usual themes of loneliness in your early 20's, the shock of graduating and feeling accomplished and suddenly adjusting to being at the bottom of the ladder again with a myriad of unknowns; challenges of living in a large city and the independence and terrifying fear that comes with living alone and being responsible for yourself; missing home and missing college; finding it difficult to charter a path now that school doesn't clearly outline everything; feeling extremely accomplished at that big move/job/thesis and then the numbness of realizing it doesn't really matter in the end - calming read for others in similar stages of life
November 19, 2017
"Freshman Year of Life" is a great series of essays about life after college in the "real world." They touch on a bunch of different personal experiences and contain some great advice. It's a relatively short book and each of the essays is brief, which makes it great to pick up and read when you only have a few minutes. Although I am now away from this stage in my life (the post-college transition), I found it a fascinating read and still worth going through. Some essays hit home more than others, but they were all very well written, and I definitely think this book is worth a read for anyone in college and even those of us past this time! Please note that I received this book through a goodreads giveaway. All opinions are my own.
August 4, 2018
Freshman Year of Life is a collection of essays referring to life after college. It is a refreshing read. One that many young college people and recent graduates should read. There were a lot of circumstances that are easy to relate to and others that held very good advice. The pages are short and that made this entire book a quick read. The situations inside gave me a real perspective on work, home, and love. I especially, loved the essays centered around work related topics. It was like living through through individuals who wrote these essays. I found a lot of value to be held. Overall, I would highly recommend this to all young adults.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
June 3, 2017
Having completed a doctorate degree in recent months, I longed to read anything other than research articles. I received the book prior to release with request to provide review. Very easy read. This book was a wonderful mixture of diverse first years after college and into the thing called "real life" we're all told to be concerned about. The range of emotion and talented authors shined cover to cover. Each essay possessed a punching brevity and lesson - the cold and hard to the whimsically refreshing. Kudos to the creators, contributors, and audience looking to gain insight. Looking forward to a follow-on work of similar nature.
May 28, 2017
(I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.)
I loved this book! All of the essays were easy to read and interesting while still having great advice for anyone living alone or having more independence. The writers were from all different places and had different experiences, which each chapter unique. This book would be a great gift for someone about to graduate or a great graduation gift to buy for yourself.
I loved this book! All of the essays were easy to read and interesting while still having great advice for anyone living alone or having more independence. The writers were from all different places and had different experiences, which each chapter unique. This book would be a great gift for someone about to graduate or a great graduation gift to buy for yourself.
November 27, 2017
*I received a free copy from Goodreads.
Very easy to read short essays, but I don't think they offer a lot of insight for those entering the real world. All the essays are by people that are in some type of media/creative profession; no engineers, business, education...any other perspective! I'm sure everyone would be able to find at least one essay that they can relate to and not feel alone, but that's about all it offers.
Very easy to read short essays, but I don't think they offer a lot of insight for those entering the real world. All the essays are by people that are in some type of media/creative profession; no engineers, business, education...any other perspective! I'm sure everyone would be able to find at least one essay that they can relate to and not feel alone, but that's about all it offers.
July 3, 2018
This book is collection of stories: it talks about the mainly subjects after college phase related to home, work, friendship and love.
I loved the vision of many people, specially NYC's people because I found more troubleness and challenges. The experiences/advices written about are very refreshing and thought-provoking. There are several points of view which you can relate to and add for your own knowledge. "Freshman Year of Life"s writing is relatable, easy and witty.
I loved the vision of many people, specially NYC's people because I found more troubleness and challenges. The experiences/advices written about are very refreshing and thought-provoking. There are several points of view which you can relate to and add for your own knowledge. "Freshman Year of Life"s writing is relatable, easy and witty.
January 15, 2025
Cute quick read. I was pleased by the depth and diversity of the essays! I've heard a lot of the advice before, but reading the relatable stories while considering my own "freshman year" of life has brought comfort and speculation I wouldn't have otherwise.
I will definitely recommend this collection of essays to any recently graduated college student. It's not the Bible on how to conquer life, but it's definitely a gentle hand.
I will definitely recommend this collection of essays to any recently graduated college student. It's not the Bible on how to conquer life, but it's definitely a gentle hand.
June 26, 2017
Loved this book so much! I strongly related to a lot of the essays in here. I think there's at least one that everyone can relate to. I had to take several pictures of certain passages because the writing resonated with me so deeply. To any post-grad twenty-something who at times feel lost, alone, and like a failure, this is for you. We're not alone, we're in this together, and we're doing okay.
August 5, 2017
I'm so glad I won the advanced reading copy of this book. As a current college student it was great to be able to read real, relevant advice that I could really relate to. Almost all of the excerpts of this book resonated with me in a positive way. I highly suggest this book to college students or grads who are having trouble finding their place.
July 2, 2018
so this book made me feel better about growing up and graduating college. i did a huge move recently and ive felt a little lost. while i still feel lost (which im 21 i think im supposed to feel a little lost), im okay about being lost because i feel like its just apart of life as of right now. i really appreciate this book
December 17, 2020
Honestly, this book could have been a lot better. A lot of the stories were redundant, and there weren’t a lot of different perspectives. Most of the people writing the essays came off very privileged and young. There are so many different demographics (age, sex, geographic location, race, family background, etc.) who go to college, and I didn’t see that reflected in this book.
March 9, 2017
I received this book of essays as a giveaway. Some were relatable. Some were laugh out loud hilarious! All were endearing. I enjoyed the concept of the book and look forward to sharing it with others.
June 19, 2021
This is a lighthearted book that is full of other people’s experiences. I feel like this is exactly what I needed being someone that just started navigating their adult life. I still am clueless about a million things but now I feel less alone in my journey.
July 13, 2017
This book taught me so much both practically and emotionally, and I'm so glad I read it.
September 25, 2018
The intention with the book is awesome. I just wish it had more too it. I loved the majority of the essays, but all of it was based on certain intentions that i don’t have for end goals.
January 16, 2019
Some stories were really good and others boring. Liked some of the advice on friendships and navigating through life in adulthood.
January 27, 2019
I loved this book. It’s very comforting to read about others who struggled to figure out their life after college.
November 9, 2021
contain great advice: break down the fear, built up the confidence.
March 21, 2017
Very excited to receive the hard copy of the book. Won it in a recent Mindsumo competition. Great humour, great stories, and great all around.
May 5, 2017
Reading through all of these different experiences, as well as the advice, has helped me reflect on my past few years since graduation more fondly and with more hope toward the future. These honest stories of the transitioning years after college were sometimes funny, as well as empowering when reading individual struggles and how they overcame them. It was also inspiring to flip to the last few pages of the book to read their bios and know that they are doing magnificent things now.
I would definitely recommend for students close to graduating, new grads, and people that still feel as if they are transitioning into the "adult" life.
I would definitely recommend for students close to graduating, new grads, and people that still feel as if they are transitioning into the "adult" life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews