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The Freshman Survival Guide: Soulful Advice for Studying, Socializing, and Everything In Between
A completely revised and updated values-based guide to navigating the first year of college that speaks to college students in their own language and offers practical tools that readers need to keep from drinking, sleeping, or skipping their way out of college.
In the four years since its initial publication, The Freshman Survival Guide has helped thousands of first year students make a successful transition to college life. However, much has changed on campuses. The explosion of technology, ubiquity of social media, and culture changes have all added new layers of complexity to the leap from high school to college. The Freshman Survival Guide 's updated edition features new research and advice on issues such as mental health, sexual assault, and finding balance. It also features expanded sections on dating, money management, and an increased focus on how the over 1.5 million incoming freshman can prepare themselves for the biggest change they've encountered in their heading off to college.
In the four years since its initial publication, The Freshman Survival Guide has helped thousands of first year students make a successful transition to college life. However, much has changed on campuses. The explosion of technology, ubiquity of social media, and culture changes have all added new layers of complexity to the leap from high school to college. The Freshman Survival Guide 's updated edition features new research and advice on issues such as mental health, sexual assault, and finding balance. It also features expanded sections on dating, money management, and an increased focus on how the over 1.5 million incoming freshman can prepare themselves for the biggest change they've encountered in their heading off to college.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
62 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Nora Bradbury-Haehl
8 books30 followersNora Bradbury-Haehl is an author, speaker, and a nationally recognized voice in the conversation about youth and young adults. Her book The Freshman Survival Guide has sold over 130,000 copies. She’s worked as a development editor at Saint Mary’s Press, the leading Catholic publisher of religion and spirituality texts for teens in the United States. Nora came to publishing from more than twenty-five years in the trenches, working directly with teens and twenty-somethings. As a church youth worker, she has spent her life creating supportive communities for young people and helping them navigate the challenges of adolescence and early adulthood.
The Freshman Survival Guide emerged from Nora’s youth work. A popular article she wrote for BustedHalo.com, grew into an online sensation and was downloaded over 30,000 times. The article became a book and agent Joelle DelBourgo sold the book at auction to the Center Street imprint at Hachette Book Group.
It was featured in a surprisingly lengthy segment—five and half really funny minutes!—on The Late Show with David Letterman. https://youtu.be/cuidDukQyfE
Nora is a leader in interfaith work in her hometown of Rochester, New York . She is chair of the annual Global Citizenship Conference, a local interfaith program that gathers over 700 high school students with diverse faith leaders to build interfaith understanding and cooperation. She also directs the Global Citizenship Immersion program each summer for the Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue at Nazareth College.
Nora is an experienced public speaker, retreat and workshop leader. She has been a frequent presenter at the National Catholic Youth Conference, leading workshops for large groups of young people (500-1500 teens) and their adult leaders.
The Freshman Survival Guide emerged from Nora’s youth work. A popular article she wrote for BustedHalo.com, grew into an online sensation and was downloaded over 30,000 times. The article became a book and agent Joelle DelBourgo sold the book at auction to the Center Street imprint at Hachette Book Group.
It was featured in a surprisingly lengthy segment—five and half really funny minutes!—on The Late Show with David Letterman. https://youtu.be/cuidDukQyfE
Nora is a leader in interfaith work in her hometown of Rochester, New York . She is chair of the annual Global Citizenship Conference, a local interfaith program that gathers over 700 high school students with diverse faith leaders to build interfaith understanding and cooperation. She also directs the Global Citizenship Immersion program each summer for the Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue at Nazareth College.
Nora is an experienced public speaker, retreat and workshop leader. She has been a frequent presenter at the National Catholic Youth Conference, leading workshops for large groups of young people (500-1500 teens) and their adult leaders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 23, 2019
Personally, the part of this book that I found most helpful was the chapter on procrastination. Aside from that, there were a couple of sentences that I found to be useful advice to me scattered throughout the various chapters, but overall the book didn't really do anything to help me. I wasn't expecting how much of this book would include/be based on religious perspectives, and that made me uncomfortable and annoyed. I also really didn't appreciate the condescending tone present throughout the book. Ultimately, I feel like I'm no better prepared for college from reading this book compared to my friends who haven't.
May 26, 2022
Read and highlighted important parts for my sister. It got repetitive after a while and some of the advice I would not give (hence why there are a lot of side notes in her physical copy).
It is an overall guide that does its job. I cannot fault it for what it set out to do even if it was a bit full by the end.
3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
It is an overall guide that does its job. I cannot fault it for what it set out to do even if it was a bit full by the end.
3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
July 22, 2017
I recommend this book to all college freshman who have any type of anxieties or withdraws from going to college.
July 11, 2019
⬂↘⬊ Initial Thoughts ⬋↙⬃
The summer between high school and college has been both very relaxing and very daunting for me, especially since I’m an only child. I’m about to take on the most significant change in my life without a whole lot of insight into what is to come. Though my parents have offered up their best answers to my never-ending stream of questions, my college decision isn’t much like the paths they took. For the past couple of months, I’ve felt like I’ve been in the dark about what to expect during my freshman year. However, reading The Freshman Survival Guide was more enlightening than I ever could have dreamed. As I read through each chapter, it slowly became a big sibling in my life. It talked about everything from professors to parties and didn’t ever hold back about the realities of being a college student.
⬂↘⬊ Real Advice from Real Students ⬋↙⬃
My favorite part of this book was how the authors included advice from current students scattered throughout the pages. Though the advice the authors give is fantastic, there was also information from current students that made the book seem more applicable. Reading what real people my age had to say about their personal college experiences showed me that I’m not alone and not the first person to need advice or ask questions. I will definitely be taking their tips and tricks along with me into my college career.
⬂↘⬊ That Stuff Nobody Thinks About ⬋↙⬃
I was so glad to see all of the little pieces of information the authors included in this book. At every college event that I’ve been to, advisors and students alike always keep to the big-picture advice. “Get involved!” “Go to class!” “Study!” While all of this is good to know going into freshman year, I need more people to talk about stuff you don’t think of right away. I wanted to know what the dining hall culture is like, the best way to do your laundry, and if everyone parties like they do in the movies. All of these things were touched on in this book with even more topics first-year students don’t think about until they arrive on campus. These chapters were the ones I needed most because I don’t know what I don’t know!
⬂↘⬊ It’ll Be Fine ⬋↙⬃
Overall, this book reminded me that I’m not the first person to go off to college, and it’ll all work out okay.
Your reassured freshman,
Ashton
The summer between high school and college has been both very relaxing and very daunting for me, especially since I’m an only child. I’m about to take on the most significant change in my life without a whole lot of insight into what is to come. Though my parents have offered up their best answers to my never-ending stream of questions, my college decision isn’t much like the paths they took. For the past couple of months, I’ve felt like I’ve been in the dark about what to expect during my freshman year. However, reading The Freshman Survival Guide was more enlightening than I ever could have dreamed. As I read through each chapter, it slowly became a big sibling in my life. It talked about everything from professors to parties and didn’t ever hold back about the realities of being a college student.
⬂↘⬊ Real Advice from Real Students ⬋↙⬃
My favorite part of this book was how the authors included advice from current students scattered throughout the pages. Though the advice the authors give is fantastic, there was also information from current students that made the book seem more applicable. Reading what real people my age had to say about their personal college experiences showed me that I’m not alone and not the first person to need advice or ask questions. I will definitely be taking their tips and tricks along with me into my college career.
⬂↘⬊ That Stuff Nobody Thinks About ⬋↙⬃
I was so glad to see all of the little pieces of information the authors included in this book. At every college event that I’ve been to, advisors and students alike always keep to the big-picture advice. “Get involved!” “Go to class!” “Study!” While all of this is good to know going into freshman year, I need more people to talk about stuff you don’t think of right away. I wanted to know what the dining hall culture is like, the best way to do your laundry, and if everyone parties like they do in the movies. All of these things were touched on in this book with even more topics first-year students don’t think about until they arrive on campus. These chapters were the ones I needed most because I don’t know what I don’t know!
⬂↘⬊ It’ll Be Fine ⬋↙⬃
Overall, this book reminded me that I’m not the first person to go off to college, and it’ll all work out okay.
Your reassured freshman,
Ashton
May 16, 2011
I received this book from a good reads contest.
The Freshman Survival Guide by Nora Bradbury-Haehl and Bill McGarvey is an easy-to-read book which is, essentially, a very practical handbook for the beginning college freshman. The book is divided into twenty-five chapters with each chapter beginning with a Survival Strategy that sets up the purpose of the chapter and ending with The Takeaway which summarizes the main points one should remember from the chapter. Both of these features are always coupled with a featured icon throughout each chapter of the book. Other such features included in each chapter are an on-line survival guide and anecdotal boxes and sometimes a seek/find box. The layout of the specials features and the text within each chapter break up what could have been a boring read for teens and turns it into an up-beat, informative book which is a must for the entering college freshman. I highly recommend this book as a graduation gift for all high school seniors whether or not they plan on attending college. Many life-lessons are expanded in this book that has applications for one in or out of a college setting. My mother read this book, too, and said that all parents need to read this book to appreciate the different challenges faced by today’s youth and that college freshman seminar instructors should have this book to give to their advisees.
it.
The Freshman Survival Guide by Nora Bradbury-Haehl and Bill McGarvey is an easy-to-read book which is, essentially, a very practical handbook for the beginning college freshman. The book is divided into twenty-five chapters with each chapter beginning with a Survival Strategy that sets up the purpose of the chapter and ending with The Takeaway which summarizes the main points one should remember from the chapter. Both of these features are always coupled with a featured icon throughout each chapter of the book. Other such features included in each chapter are an on-line survival guide and anecdotal boxes and sometimes a seek/find box. The layout of the specials features and the text within each chapter break up what could have been a boring read for teens and turns it into an up-beat, informative book which is a must for the entering college freshman. I highly recommend this book as a graduation gift for all high school seniors whether or not they plan on attending college. Many life-lessons are expanded in this book that has applications for one in or out of a college setting. My mother read this book, too, and said that all parents need to read this book to appreciate the different challenges faced by today’s youth and that college freshman seminar instructors should have this book to give to their advisees.
it.
December 3, 2018
So, this book was helpful, though a lot was common sense. I really should've read it before this point, but it just gives more proof that the procrastination chapter was for me. But really, there are some good tips and tricks and advice in this book and if you really need something to ease your mind before or even during college, I'd recommend it.
Also, it says 400 pages, but I can't find an edition that's paperback that only has 370 like mine.
Also, it says 400 pages, but I can't find an edition that's paperback that only has 370 like mine.
September 5, 2022
The book was very informative and made me feel more prepared for my college journey.
March 7, 2022
I am a senior in high school and reading this book has helped prepare me for college. Many things Nora Bradbury included in her book such as meeting new people, study styles, and how to stay focused, opened my eyes to how different college is going to be from my small high school. The author did an outstanding job including all of the details and quotes from other people. When reading her book, I would constantly have questions, and the more I continued to read, all of those questions got answered. I related to this book so much due to the fact that I do what she says not to do so now I have changed the way I do my homework and the way I study and I have been doing much better in school. The author did include a lot of details and I did get confused in some parts of the book and sometimes I kept losing focus, but other than that this book was great and now I am ready to enter college with all of the tips and tricks I learned from reading this book.
January 16, 2025
The guide is largely what you'd expect from a college guide. It contains both some good advice and some less good advice. Due to it being written for the American college experience, it wasn't really applicable to my (European) college experience, though there remains relevant advice. I'd recommend this more for checking individual chapters when needed as opposed for reading it cover to cover.
August 26, 2017
Good book for young adults leaving home for the first time.
July 23, 2018
Very insightful, and an easy read!
Read
September 28, 2024Gift for the grand
August 10, 2019
All in all, I'd say it'd pretty solid information. I wouldn't say it's indispensable, but there are some good tips and messages that could help people about to start college.
I will say though, it's very much centered on religion and often relies on religious leaders for support. It never felt preachy, and it does make sure to include a few different faiths, but it was something I wasn't necessarily expecting from the cover and summary. Obviously that doesn't mean non- or less- religious people or people from other religions can't use the book, but I just wanted to put that out there for people to know.
I do think the LGBT section in the Identity chapter could have been improved. The book vaguely mentions that "many campuses have resources in place to support students who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual," but the only resource they mention is religious leaders. And don't get me wrong, they can be a super important source of guidance and support for many LGBT+ people, but it kind of bugged me that they were the only resource listed. So many colleges have entire LGBT resource centers or departments, or at least queer clubs or support groups. I wasn't expecting this book to cover queer issues in depth or anything, but I feel like if you're gonna have a section talking about "sexual identity", mentioning that colleges set up opportunities to meet other queer people is a pretty basic tip, and one that could be potentially really important to LGBT+ people going into college. Also, they could have at least mentioned gender identity-- I know a fair number of people who couldn't really explore that part of themselves (at least outwardly) until they got to college. Overall, it just felt like there was zero input from actual queer people when writing that section of the book-- heck, there weren't even any Student Testimonials (which were done frequently throughout the book) from LGBT kids.
Buuuuuut now I'm ranting over a part of the book that was actually really minimal. The book is 350+ pages, and most of it does deal with more everyday stuff like socializing, partying, relationships, staying safe, studying, time management/procrastinating, etc. The chapters are short, which made them easy to get through, and well organized. There were maybe a few things that got repetitive (do I really need a chapter and a half to tell me not to skip class?) and some things I felt were missing (what about getting a job? lots of kids have to get one even from the first semester, and that can be hard to handle. And politics? college is, for a lot of people, the first chance they get to become more involved in the world, and I think some sections on healthy exchange of ideas or being a responsible citizen could have been interesting) but overall it covers a wide array of topics pretty well.
I will say though, it's very much centered on religion and often relies on religious leaders for support. It never felt preachy, and it does make sure to include a few different faiths, but it was something I wasn't necessarily expecting from the cover and summary. Obviously that doesn't mean non- or less- religious people or people from other religions can't use the book, but I just wanted to put that out there for people to know.
I do think the LGBT section in the Identity chapter could have been improved. The book vaguely mentions that "many campuses have resources in place to support students who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual," but the only resource they mention is religious leaders. And don't get me wrong, they can be a super important source of guidance and support for many LGBT+ people, but it kind of bugged me that they were the only resource listed. So many colleges have entire LGBT resource centers or departments, or at least queer clubs or support groups. I wasn't expecting this book to cover queer issues in depth or anything, but I feel like if you're gonna have a section talking about "sexual identity", mentioning that colleges set up opportunities to meet other queer people is a pretty basic tip, and one that could be potentially really important to LGBT+ people going into college. Also, they could have at least mentioned gender identity-- I know a fair number of people who couldn't really explore that part of themselves (at least outwardly) until they got to college. Overall, it just felt like there was zero input from actual queer people when writing that section of the book-- heck, there weren't even any Student Testimonials (which were done frequently throughout the book) from LGBT kids.
Buuuuuut now I'm ranting over a part of the book that was actually really minimal. The book is 350+ pages, and most of it does deal with more everyday stuff like socializing, partying, relationships, staying safe, studying, time management/procrastinating, etc. The chapters are short, which made them easy to get through, and well organized. There were maybe a few things that got repetitive (do I really need a chapter and a half to tell me not to skip class?) and some things I felt were missing (what about getting a job? lots of kids have to get one even from the first semester, and that can be hard to handle. And politics? college is, for a lot of people, the first chance they get to become more involved in the world, and I think some sections on healthy exchange of ideas or being a responsible citizen could have been interesting) but overall it covers a wide array of topics pretty well.
August 1, 2012
I can't believe I finished this book! As a junior in high school eagerly anticipating college I figured my thirst for knowledge would be quenched but unfortunately I was wrong. This book is terribly bland and repetitive. I estimate that about twenty pages are wasted in footnotes telling readers to look online for additional information, quizzes, or lists which could've easily been added into the book. I honestly felt like I was missing out on more helpful tools that were online but I bought this book to read it, not to be referenced to read online. The authors try to emphasize the importance of various subjects with repetition and more repetition (despite understanding the importance of their website "resources" after the 5th page). I remained generally positive and considered that the obvious repetition must mean I should take whatever was being read seriously but the whole book is filled with the same redundant crap stretched out again and again like taffy. Most chapters could've and should've been slimmed to several pages at the most (now this book has turned me into a terrible and repetitive reviewer, save yourselves!). I would've appreciated more specific tips and advice considering most of this book was vague but the authors are obviously way past their college experiences and have no idea how college is like now. So what more can I ask? I could ask to not be patronized like an infant. Yes, books can patronize you! I'm sure college will be a huge leap and I don't know very much about it but the overall tone throughout the book was that of a kindergarten teacher trying to sarcastically order children into line. It's automatically assumed that all incoming freshman will not know how to eat without being told and go to class. If you're a serious student who is focused like me I suggest getting a book written by a recent graduate who can tell you valuable and accurate advice.
November 26, 2012
I've worked with high school and college teens for many years and this book grew out of the experience of seeing young people struggle through their first months away at college. For some the transition was a challenge that affirmed the skills they brought with them but for many others the transition from life at home and high school academics was an uphill battle-a battle which many would lose.
I started getting my college kids together with my high school seniors to have frank conversations about what college life was really like and what the most common pitfalls would be. These conversations became an article on the website BustedHalo.com. The article was forwarded over 30,000 times and handed out by campus ministers across the country. Since publication in April 2011 a number of colleges have chosen it for their 'freshman read' or for res. life curriculum.
One of the things I'm proudest of about this book is that it addresses questions of spirituality and values without being preachy and from a multi-faith perspective. Rabbis,Imams,and Chaplains from many Christian traditions offered advice and input for the book along with students, professors, RA's, and administrators.
Many churches give it as a gift to their graduating seniors.
Some of the advice may seem obvious- sleep, exercise, go to class, don't fill up on junk food, lock your door, do your homework - but as obvious as they are, these are things that time and time again would take students out of the game and leave them with a very expensive waste of a semester. Much of the advice is more nuanced though and helps students navigate the intricacies of social relationships on campus, adapt to working at a college academic level, and deal with the harsh realities of finances, homesickness, mental illness, and making choices about drinking, sex, and values.
I started getting my college kids together with my high school seniors to have frank conversations about what college life was really like and what the most common pitfalls would be. These conversations became an article on the website BustedHalo.com. The article was forwarded over 30,000 times and handed out by campus ministers across the country. Since publication in April 2011 a number of colleges have chosen it for their 'freshman read' or for res. life curriculum.
One of the things I'm proudest of about this book is that it addresses questions of spirituality and values without being preachy and from a multi-faith perspective. Rabbis,Imams,and Chaplains from many Christian traditions offered advice and input for the book along with students, professors, RA's, and administrators.
Many churches give it as a gift to their graduating seniors.
Some of the advice may seem obvious- sleep, exercise, go to class, don't fill up on junk food, lock your door, do your homework - but as obvious as they are, these are things that time and time again would take students out of the game and leave them with a very expensive waste of a semester. Much of the advice is more nuanced though and helps students navigate the intricacies of social relationships on campus, adapt to working at a college academic level, and deal with the harsh realities of finances, homesickness, mental illness, and making choices about drinking, sex, and values.
September 5, 2019
Personally, the part of this book that I found most helpful was the chapter on procrastination. Aside from that, there were a couple of sentences that I found to be useful advice to me scattered throughout the various chapters, but overall the book didn't really do anything to help me. I wasn't expecting how much of this book would include/be based on religious perspectives, and that made me uncomfortable and annoyed. I also really didn't appreciate the condescending tone present throughout the book. Ultimately, I feel like I'm no better prepared for college from reading this book compared to my friends who haven't.
January 2, 2021
As a freshman in college, I learned some quality information throughout this lengthy book, but most of the book was redundant. It could probably be simplified to 100-150 pages. The focus was on topics that were arguably common sense, such as the importance of going to class or meeting new people. I also found it weird that most of this book was from a spiritual or religious perspective, with campus ministers being the main source of information or guidance. Overall I wouldn't recommend this to one of my high school friends going into their freshman year of college.
June 2, 2014
This book is really helpful and I actually read it in a day. Some of the information is common sense to me, but I really liked the tips and stories from current and past college students about a variety of topics. And the book splits up topics into chapters, so one can come back to this book at any time (I know I might). There was a lot of statistics when talking about certain topics, and I like that this book and the advice was backed up by facts.
May 7, 2016
Perfect graduation gift for kids heading to college....this book is like having your mom, your favorite teacher, and your best friend sitting around a table giving you advice over coffee. Hip enough for kids to appreciate but not so hip that parents would object. Sensitive subjects are dealt with in a frank yet appropriate manner, and the entire flavor of the book is you-can-do-it. Great stuff entirely, thank you Nora Bradbury-Haehl!
August 22, 2016
Good advice, I say! Reading about possible problems I might face before college is very helpful to me. I'll probably be re-reading sections over time too. This book actually made me think about religion again, because there would be whole sections of advice about considering spirituality once you're at college. And here I haven't thought much about religion since a class I took sophomore year! Anyway, I'm glad I bought this book.
May 29, 2011
I thought that this book was really reader/student friendly. The chapters were split up nicely. Although I felt that the tips were kind of like duh..... and if your going to college you probably already know some of this stuff. But some of the other tips were helpful and the personal stories were insightful.
December 19, 2014
I wish I had read a book like this when I went to college eons ago! I read it so I could encourage my son who is a junior in high school to read it. I hope he will read it and gain some insight into what to expect when he goes to college. I hope this book will be a valuable asset when he is ready to go.
August 7, 2015
I got this book for free, and decided I might as well read it seeing as I was going to be a freshman in the fall. The information was kind of general, bland, and common sense. I don't need reminders to go to class and to get involved. I was planning on doing both! I'm thinking about bringing it with me to college, but the jury is still out on that one.
September 3, 2015
I'm not going to pretend that I did finish this book because I didn't. Though it succeeded in making me feel a little more ready for college, it didn't do much other than that. There is good advice in this book, but I haven't used much of it. Weird that there's so much about religion in here. I didn't expect that.
June 6, 2016
The book was helpful, and gave great tips, but the two things that were irksome to me was the fact that they kept making lists constantly, even when they didn't need to, and they also sucked at their punctuation. Some of the sentences were a little confusing because there was a lack of commas and periods. Other than that the book itself was pretty good.
July 22, 2011
I thought this was the best college freshmen preparation book I read so far. I really enjoyed the religious aspect that this book brings to light because my faith in college was something I was very worried about!
August 30, 2013
Nora knows what she's talking about, and it shows. With years of experience working with high school and college aged students, her advice is spot on. The approachable style alongside sage advice makes this a must-have for every high school senior or college freshman.
Want to read
March 2, 2011Could be useful. :)
July 11, 2011
It was informative some parts were funny but also some parts got very boring. Overall I liked it.
Read
July 18, 2011general. redundant. boring. not-helpful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews