The Freshman Survival Guide Review and GIVEAWAY

From Goodreads:  A values-based guide to navigating that critical 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.

There are numerous guides for choosing a college, paying for college and getting good grades in college But THE FRESHMAN SURVIVAL GUIDE is the first to offer advice on academics, relationships and lifestyle and combine it with guidance on how to cope with the spiritual, emotional and ethical questions and issues that confront young adults.

Divided into five sections (Relationships, Identity &Spirituality, Academics, Risk, Balance), the book tackles issues that include: Homesickness 

• Learning Who You Are 

• Real Stats on Mental Health 

• 10 Reasons to Show Up to Class 

• Are Your Earning Your BA or Your IM 

• Safety: Don't Be Paranoid, Just be Smart 

• Doritos Is Not A Food Group 

• and 19 other equally pertinent areas that other college guides don't address.

This is one college guidebook that freshman won't be ashamed to read and keep in their backpacks.

My Take:  This is not a riveting read that kept me up at all hours of the night.  That said, I love this book. Why?  Point of reference:  I am a mother, a high school counselor, and a college survivor.  I read this book like a eat at a buffet.  I picked and chose chapters to read.  Almost everything I read was right on the money for me as a college student those many years ago.  What I didn't relate to that our kids will - is the technology issues.

Some of the topics covered:

1. Dealing with roommates.  How to handle differences, moochers, household needs (toilet paper, cleaners, etc.) what to do when you are sexiled (roommie brought home another guy in the room).  
2. Be Generous with Your Friendship but Stingy with Your Trust
3. Who Are You? How the college student evolves in the absence of parents.
4. Go to class.  As a successful college student (meaning I graduated a few times), this is the biggest determinant of success.  Skip class, miss important information, fail course.  College moves much more quickly than high school.  Just go.  Period.  
5. Procrastination.  Very relevant.
6. Technology.  Use it as a tool not as an escape.  
7. Get Involved but not too involved - balancing extra-curricular with school.
8. Religious evolution
9. Sex and alcohol at college.  The tips encourage moderation but with the understanding that neither sex nor alcohol are a required course at college.  Weird as it seems, I went to college for six years, lived on campus, was highly involved, dated up a storm and graduated with a Master's degree, virgin, and having never imbibed.  Yes, it can be done.
10. Hygiene.  Don't be gross.
11. Healthy eating
12. Managing time.

These are just a few of the topics covered.  Relevant information presented in a concise manner.  Also includes quotes from other college students, helpful tips, and interactive activities on the site http://thefreshmansurvivalguide.com/.  I didn't spend a lot of time exploring the site but  to me it was just another distraction.  The relevant information is contained within the pages of the book.  If the book was a freshman class, I could see using the interactive tools on the site but unnecessary.

Every graduating senior who is college bound should have a copy.


Although I'm still waiting for a response, I'm pretty sure the amazing and wonderful Sarah at HBG will sponsor a giveaway for this book.  Yay Sarah and SURPRISE!  


Fill out the form HERE.


U.S. and Canada only
No P.O. boxes
Ends 4/30