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How to College: What to Know Before You Go
The first practical guide of its kind that helps students transition smoothly from high school to college
The transition from high school―and home―to college can be stressful. Students and parents often arrive on campus unprepared for what college is really like. Academic standards and expectations are different from high school; families aren’t present to serve as “scaffolding” for students; and first-years have to do what they call “adulting.” Nothing in the college admissions process prepares students for these new realities.
As a result, first-year college students report higher stress, more mental health issues, and lower completion rates than in the past. In fact, up to one third of first-year college students will not return for their second year―and colleges are reporting an increase in underprepared first-year students.
How to College is here to help. Professors Andrea Malkin Brenner and Lara Schwartz guide first-year students and their families through the transition process, during the summer after high school graduation and throughout the school year, preparing students to succeed and thrive as they transition and adapt to college. The book draws on the authors’ experience teaching, writing curricula, and designing programs for thousands of first-year college students over decades.
The transition from high school―and home―to college can be stressful. Students and parents often arrive on campus unprepared for what college is really like. Academic standards and expectations are different from high school; families aren’t present to serve as “scaffolding” for students; and first-years have to do what they call “adulting.” Nothing in the college admissions process prepares students for these new realities.
As a result, first-year college students report higher stress, more mental health issues, and lower completion rates than in the past. In fact, up to one third of first-year college students will not return for their second year―and colleges are reporting an increase in underprepared first-year students.
How to College is here to help. Professors Andrea Malkin Brenner and Lara Schwartz guide first-year students and their families through the transition process, during the summer after high school graduation and throughout the school year, preparing students to succeed and thrive as they transition and adapt to college. The book draws on the authors’ experience teaching, writing curricula, and designing programs for thousands of first-year college students over decades.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
304 pages, Paperback
Published April 23, 2019
28 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 31, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest, unbiased review.
With a son that graduating high school this year, this book comes to me at a very opportune time. This book is written specifically for the student who is preparing to leave for college. And, the advice and knowledge shared is definitely on point. Everything from tips on how to communicate with family, how to organize and prioritize life, how to speak to professors, and so much more - it is by far more in depth than any other book of its kind. I tell you that I will be giving this book to my son to read this summer. Thank you for this book, and putting all the need-to-know information in one very organized spot. Highly recommended!
With a son that graduating high school this year, this book comes to me at a very opportune time. This book is written specifically for the student who is preparing to leave for college. And, the advice and knowledge shared is definitely on point. Everything from tips on how to communicate with family, how to organize and prioritize life, how to speak to professors, and so much more - it is by far more in depth than any other book of its kind. I tell you that I will be giving this book to my son to read this summer. Thank you for this book, and putting all the need-to-know information in one very organized spot. Highly recommended!
February 1, 2020
what even is college
{overall fairly comprehensive book but i don’t think i’m any less apprehensive}
{overall fairly comprehensive book but i don’t think i’m any less apprehensive}
September 11, 2019
This described but what most of my fellow freshman peers went throwing in college, i had the advantage of boarding school prior to college. For college it was just a longer distance. The rest of this book was all things I’ve heard before and nothing new.
Not the best advice book for kids going into college. This was very one sided and biased.
Not the best advice book for kids going into college. This was very one sided and biased.
April 21, 2019
From the synopsis:
This book is exactly what it says on the tin. Brenner and Schwartz provide an easy to read, well-organized resource that would be valuable to incoming college freshmen (and probably upperclassmen as well). They offer advice on what to expect from your professors and roommates, how to get plugged into the student organization scene, how to use the library, and what resources are available to you if you run into problems. The language of the book is clear and accessible.
Still, while reading the book, I kept coming back to the question of "who is this for"? The book is full of advice that I would expect most kids with college-educated parents to know already--"office hours are there for a reason". At the same time, I don't know how this book would end up in the hands of under-resourced students who might need it most.
Perhaps the goal was to create a more comprehensive resource by stating the "stuff everyone knows". Sometimes the obvious isn't said out loud and things fall through the cracks, such as the advice to having a conversation with your parents about how often you'll be in touch before you land on campus. (Other advice seems... naive? Emailing your professors before you get on campus might be a little too eager beaver, but surely there are students who might benefit from taking the advice.)
The authors take a light tone that might be easier for an incoming freshman to hear (rather than the voice of the parents they are leaving behind). In the chapter on communicating with faculty and staff, they state:
All in all, this slim volume would be useful to your local graduating senior.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in order to facilitate this review.
Professors Andrea Malkin Brenner and Lara Schwartz guide first-year students and their families through the transition process, during the summer after high school graduation and throughout the school year, preparing students to succeed and thrive as they transition and adapt to college.
This book is exactly what it says on the tin. Brenner and Schwartz provide an easy to read, well-organized resource that would be valuable to incoming college freshmen (and probably upperclassmen as well). They offer advice on what to expect from your professors and roommates, how to get plugged into the student organization scene, how to use the library, and what resources are available to you if you run into problems. The language of the book is clear and accessible.
Still, while reading the book, I kept coming back to the question of "who is this for"? The book is full of advice that I would expect most kids with college-educated parents to know already--"office hours are there for a reason". At the same time, I don't know how this book would end up in the hands of under-resourced students who might need it most.
Perhaps the goal was to create a more comprehensive resource by stating the "stuff everyone knows". Sometimes the obvious isn't said out loud and things fall through the cracks, such as the advice to having a conversation with your parents about how often you'll be in touch before you land on campus. (Other advice seems... naive? Emailing your professors before you get on campus might be a little too eager beaver, but surely there are students who might benefit from taking the advice.)
The authors take a light tone that might be easier for an incoming freshman to hear (rather than the voice of the parents they are leaving behind). In the chapter on communicating with faculty and staff, they state:
Rule 1: It's on the syllabus.
Rule 2: Seriously--it's on the syllabus.
All in all, this slim volume would be useful to your local graduating senior.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in order to facilitate this review.
March 19, 2019
I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What a nicely organized resource for kids and parents as kids head off to college and enter the #Adulting world! This is a very practical book with lots of tips and tricks about getting ahead in classes and staying on top of things. Get and Use an organizer. Clean your room before it stinks. Stay on a budget.
I think that if kids know that some things are going to be stressful but they have at least heard of resources, they will do better. My child just went to college this past fall and homesickness was a big problem at the beginning. We dealt with it as best we could, but I think if my child had had this resource before heading out on his own, we would have done better?
Drawing parallels between how it was in high school to what how it is in college is fantastic. Professors are not stand-in parents, but they are not the boogeyman (hopefully) either. Writing professional emails to set up appointments is a good practice.
The transition from child to adult can be difficult. By reading and practicing the hints and suggestions in this book, your "almost" adult will be better off. This should be required reading for all high school seniors AND THEIR PARENTS. Our library will get a copy as soon as published!
#NetGally #Adulting #LeavingHome #HowToCollege
What a nicely organized resource for kids and parents as kids head off to college and enter the #Adulting world! This is a very practical book with lots of tips and tricks about getting ahead in classes and staying on top of things. Get and Use an organizer. Clean your room before it stinks. Stay on a budget.
I think that if kids know that some things are going to be stressful but they have at least heard of resources, they will do better. My child just went to college this past fall and homesickness was a big problem at the beginning. We dealt with it as best we could, but I think if my child had had this resource before heading out on his own, we would have done better?
Drawing parallels between how it was in high school to what how it is in college is fantastic. Professors are not stand-in parents, but they are not the boogeyman (hopefully) either. Writing professional emails to set up appointments is a good practice.
The transition from child to adult can be difficult. By reading and practicing the hints and suggestions in this book, your "almost" adult will be better off. This should be required reading for all high school seniors AND THEIR PARENTS. Our library will get a copy as soon as published!
#NetGally #Adulting #LeavingHome #HowToCollege
April 23, 2019
College is Not High School
For many students, including academically gifted students, college is a shock. They may have reached the goal of being admitted to the college of their choice, but they’re no longer living at home, unless they opt for a local college. This presents challenges in how to care for themselves. Even good students are suddenly faced with a level of competition they didn’t experience in high school. They have to learn to navigate new rules of dealing with professors, and the level of work required may be much more challenging.
The authors have done a good job of trying to cover all the bases for freshmen from managing money to living with a roommate and dealing with professors. I’m not sure all students need this level of tutorial. Parents who have been to college can fill students in on their experiences. However, sometimes it’s easier to get information from a book than your parents.
The book is easy to read. The authors use a light touch that should be easy for students to relate to. The book can also be a guide for finding answers when actually in college. I recommend it for anyone with children preparing for college. Give them a copy. They may take the advice from the book more easily than from you.
I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.
For many students, including academically gifted students, college is a shock. They may have reached the goal of being admitted to the college of their choice, but they’re no longer living at home, unless they opt for a local college. This presents challenges in how to care for themselves. Even good students are suddenly faced with a level of competition they didn’t experience in high school. They have to learn to navigate new rules of dealing with professors, and the level of work required may be much more challenging.
The authors have done a good job of trying to cover all the bases for freshmen from managing money to living with a roommate and dealing with professors. I’m not sure all students need this level of tutorial. Parents who have been to college can fill students in on their experiences. However, sometimes it’s easier to get information from a book than your parents.
The book is easy to read. The authors use a light touch that should be easy for students to relate to. The book can also be a guide for finding answers when actually in college. I recommend it for anyone with children preparing for college. Give them a copy. They may take the advice from the book more easily than from you.
I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.
May 18, 2019
See my full review here.
What a great resource for a young adult who is eager, nervous, terrified or super-confident about this exciting new stage in life! I worked in student services at The University of British Columbia for nearly 10 years, and this book, written by two professors who have worked with thousands of first-year students, perfectly encapsulates what new students need to know. From how to approach a professor to choosing your major, from making friends to getting enough sleep, from study techniques to how to avoid plagiarism, from good mental health to learning to how to buy groceries, and so much more. Awesome resource - the perfect gift for your Grade 12 grad who is transitioning to post-secondary studies, and there's lots there for returning students too. Intended for a U.S. audience, there is a bit that is not applicable for Canadians but overall it's a terrific guide to help teens transition from high school to university or college. Highly recommended.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the advance reading copy provided digitally through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
What a great resource for a young adult who is eager, nervous, terrified or super-confident about this exciting new stage in life! I worked in student services at The University of British Columbia for nearly 10 years, and this book, written by two professors who have worked with thousands of first-year students, perfectly encapsulates what new students need to know. From how to approach a professor to choosing your major, from making friends to getting enough sleep, from study techniques to how to avoid plagiarism, from good mental health to learning to how to buy groceries, and so much more. Awesome resource - the perfect gift for your Grade 12 grad who is transitioning to post-secondary studies, and there's lots there for returning students too. Intended for a U.S. audience, there is a bit that is not applicable for Canadians but overall it's a terrific guide to help teens transition from high school to university or college. Highly recommended.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the advance reading copy provided digitally through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
December 1, 2021
The book How to College: What to Know Before You Go (and When You're There) is instructional, giving advice about how to prepare for college, and what to do once you get there. The author walks the reader through the transition from high school to college, talking about what is different and similar about expectations. The author covers opportunities as well as stressors, relating to things people and academics. One thing I liked was how stressed the point that asking for help was okay. The book talked a lot about different resources and people who can be helpful for the students. One thing I didn't love was that the book was clearly geared towards people who are in the summer after high school, before college, and who have already chosen and been accepted to a college. One thing I really liked was that the author gave recommendations for people with disabilities, of different religions, or international students, although the book was about US colleges. The reason I chose to read this book was because much of my stress about college comes from the indistinct image of collage in my brain. This book did serve to abate some of that stress, and was clear and concise, and well organized. I liked that the tone of the book was easy-going and friendly, as it is talking straight to the reader, while still being informational, as it gives quotes and facts.
February 9, 2023
Interesting that so much attention is out on test taking, grades and “resume building” stuff from the guidance counselor to the high schooler, but once the kid gets in college, who guides that Next Step? Yes, for some of us this book states the obvious; known information if you yourself went through the college process and whose every kid went through the college transition process. But for those of us part-time parents who only see your step kid a day or two a week, or for my neighbors whose college bound kid is a First Gen, this handy useful guide is very helpful. Don’t hesitate- it seemed to offer some of the same advice I had already said- of course that which fell on deaf ears but suddenly, from the author was welcomed 😉
August 6, 2019
As a college administrator working as support staff for an academic advising unit, I believe this book is a useful flip through guide for graduating high school students to work through with their families the summer before they attend college - but it’s more useful for traditional students attending a campus away from home and living on-campus. Still, i find some chapters can be useful for the college success course i co-teach with an advisor. This book isn’t a “must,” but it sure can be useful.
January 8, 2020
As an upcoming college freshman, I found this book very helpful. While I don't believe it covers all the social aspects a student will experience when in college, it provides great information on opportunities in college that a student should take advantage of, budgeting, and good study routines. The book is also a quick read, with every section being focused on a different topic regarding college. All in all I found this book to be very informative, and it provided me with useful tips for my future.
November 9, 2022
So, there's a lot of good information in this book. ... but I also think this book is overwhelmingly exhaustive and intimidating, and probably needed a good editor that could cut it down by about 1/3 or 1/2. We had our incoming first-year college students read this, and the consensus that I heard back, as a faculty member, was that the impossibly-long to-do list was so overwhelming that no one felt that they could even get started.
August 6, 2019
Not a terrible book, but not really wanted either. I was mostly hoping for a book of how to manage the educations side of college. It mostly covers other stuff. Only a small part of the center covers that. The little that is covered isn't too bad. I actually managed to get some good notes out of it.
August 23, 2020
A helpful, comprehensive guide to all things college. This book was easy to read thanks to its logical format and organization, and provided advice on everything from roommates to emailing professors to taking care of mental and physical health. Highly recommend to anyone entering college! I will be taking it with me.
August 4, 2023
This book was good, but overall mediocre. I gathered some good tips, but a lot of it is pretty self-explanatory. The best part of this book, for me, was being reminded of what I need to do before I go to college– most of which I knew was necessary but totally forgot about. This book will probably stay on my shelf in my dorm room to refer to when needed.
November 6, 2020
This was a gift for my niece. I skimmed through the it and found it chock full of great advice for a new college student. I wish I had this when I went to college!
May 13, 2023
I very much like how-to books
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews