This Book Is Not Required: An Emotional Survival Manual for Students

by Inge Bell, Bernard D. McGrane, John A. Gunderson

This Book Is Not An Emotional Survival Manual for Students has been regarded as a powerful tool to introduce students to the sociological analysis and personal reflection of college life. Now in its Third Edition , the book continues to educate students on the college experience as a whole―looking at the personal, social, intellectual, and spiritual demands and opportunities presented by college life. In a personable and refreshingly straightforward style, authors Inge Bell, Bernard McGrane, and John Gunderson critically discuss how academic life distinguishes between learning the institutional rules of higher education and internalizing those rules. The book demystifies professors and teaching assistants by discussing their institutional roles and incentives and invites students to take responsibility for―and make the most of―their educational experiences.

Genres: Education, Psychology, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a MUST-READ for all college freshmen! It's been a while since I've read it, but Inge Bell gives such astute insights and invaluable perspectives on the ways in which we are often misled by what we feel we should be getting out of our undergraduate experiences, and what we should really be pursuing.

[Nate Cloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, and I think it is because I read it at the right time in my life. Now, keep in mind that this book has a number of editions, but I read the 1991 version of it, so that may affect my review. The book is basically a retired sociology professor's reflections on academia, what she learned from her career, and her advice to students on living life. I read this when I was having doubts about continuing to pursue my career in academia, and this book gave me perspective. Bell at times comes across a bit cynical about the whole institution, but I greatly appreciated this perspective as almost all books out there defend and praise academia (likely because the author wants a promotion in academia) but this author was past all of that and could look at the culture of higher education from the outside. There is come great advice in here for slowing down, being happy, adopting Eastern philosophical practices, and just seeing life from a new perspective, questioning all of the sales pitches that suffuse college life. I would recommend it, both to college students but especially to anyone looking to become a full time professor.

[Mckinley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm glad this book is not required. While it raises some good points, it handles them superficially. Ii required constant adjustment to move between the 2 tones - chummy and professorial dictates. The advice in the first chapter is disingenuous offering to the student not to take grades seriously and baring that, to change one's major, take time off from college, take courses pass-fail, or switch to a junior college. The next chapter is not much better; it sounds like the gist, while not so coarsely put, is to feed faculty egos. The writing chapter side-steps the emotional dislike (which the book brings up) not dealing with those emotions at all. By chapter five, well, overall, I'd say not to read this book.
The emotional side of college, while is the point of the book as highlighted in the subtitle, is not well addressed. Instead, talk with some people - family, friends, faculty and college staff about college.

[Vanessa King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book. NOW. Not only was it revised and edited by a professor of mine, (Hi, Barney!) but it is an incredibly insightful look at the American educational system-- from a Buddhist perspective.

Good stuff-- very useful for anyone going to school.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential reading for anyone in school. It helps with every aspect of the non-academic side of academics. Try to find the first edition though - the second ed. was revised and changed after her death.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this back in the APU days for a class and still think about some of the things inside. That is something that will always be carried with me. I know it sounds weird.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I read this book as an undergrad! It confirms much of what I have been thinking about over the last few years.