College 101: Recommended Reading for Students - Books

With sidebars full of helpful fast-facts information; tasks for before, during, and after the college move-in day; and advice from recent freshmen, this is a practical guide to achieving, surviving, and rocking the first-year experience. This book provides tools and encouragement for living the dream once a student achieves the dream of getting into the college of their choice.

Discusses potential problem issues for college students and provides advice on living with roommates, relationships, classes, finances, alcohol, Greek life, laundry, and other related topics.

The author teaches how to develop real-world know-how in ten crucial skill groups: work ethic, physical performance, speaking, writing, teamwork, influencing people, research, number crunching, critical thinking, problem solving. Mastering these 10 things, a student will not only earn a degree but also the skills he or she needs to impress employers and land his or her dream job right after college.

Addressing the spiritual side of the college experience, Corey advises on staying true to Christian values while relishing new adventures and opportunities. In a time when parts of society seem plagued by a general distrust of academia, this sincere book reminds its readers that college can be a time of profound spiritual growth and of discovering one’s purpose.

A guide to college life for women that includes advice on roommates, declaring a major, joining a sorority, relationships, health and fitness, and finances.

Presents a guide to one hundred colleges in the United States, written for students, by students, providing in-depth reviews of each school, including information on applying, getting in, and surviving freshman year.

Despite some rather obvious advice in spots, this engaging, funny, and honest health guide to the college years is recommended for its much-needed, no-holds-barred (almost TMI) approach to talking about safety in drinking and intimacy. The authors address nutrition, self-awareness, and self-respect; healthy sleep and stress management; and enjoying the party that is college without letting the party take over.

In addressing topics such as the concept of disability, self-expression and advocacy, college bureaucracies, roommates, and having fun, LaRoque uses humor, anecdotes, and frank advice to encourage students with learning differences to survive and thrive in college. There is more here than just academic counseling, and the information provided can be useful to many new freshmen who aren’t considered to have special needs.

Available in paperback via Amazon, this book by accomplished author and professor Lieberman is an accessible guidebook to first-generation college student success that prioritizes the voices of first-gen alumni. From the preface of aphorisms and encouragements described as “The Whole Book Right Here,” to the repeated been-there-done-that personal advice, the enthusiasm here is infectious.

This is an accessible introduction to meditation techniques and mindfulness specifically tailored to the stresses of living and learning on campus. The information here can be found in similar books, but the author of this one knows and compellingly engages his audience. There is much here that is helpful, beyond the target audience of college students, to any young adult making their way in the world on their own.

Developed from the author’s dissertation, this in-depth look at first-generation low-income student experiences at elite universities offers both anecdotal inspiration and practical advice for success that students can implement from their first day on campus. Mora emphasizes the diversity of the FLI experience but also encourages these young adults to develop communities based on their common concerns and priorities.Available for purchase on Amazon.

Profiles forty colleges chosen for their proven ability to develop potential, values, initiative, and risk-taking in a wide range of students.

This book is yet another insider’s view of the college admissions process, but the author uses her experience as an admissions officer at highly selective Dartmouth to provide a balanced and student-focused perspective, offering advice to tailor applications to colleges that are a good fit, rather than approaching applications as checklists to acceptance.

After the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal, how selective college admissions really work has been on the minds of many. This best seller breaks down the history of today’s admissions frenzy, probes into admissions at selective institutions, and reveals the candid thoughts of students going through the ordeal. The author is an award-winning journalist with a long history of reporting on the subject of higher education.

A high school student's guide, with samples, for preparing resumes and cover letters for college and the job market.

An updated second edition of this classic guidebook arrived just in time for the COVID-19 crisis. With many first-year students deciding to take a pause, this book provides a much-needed introduction to the possibilities and the realities of choosing a gap year, as well as advice on the different options for gap year experiences and a smooth transition to college afterward. Available for purchase on Amazon.