COLLEGE YOU

A comprehensive guide to making the most out of the college experience.

Chiara Bacigalupa, Shelly Albaum, Antonia Bacigalupa Albaum, and Gianna Albaum collectively bring to this project over 60 years of combined experience in higher education, make their position clear in the introduction: “We believe that almost everyone can benefit from a college education...But only if you know how to go to college.” The book begins by straightforwardly tackling the question: Why to go to college? The authors question the wisdom of this widely accepted educational move. But the authors also argue that going to college can boost your self-esteem and lead to a longer, emotionally richer life. What follows is detailed advice for the prospective student (or perhaps their parents) on how to select the right college: “Employers themselves have stated very clearly the skills they are looking for: teamwork, communication, resilience, empathy, self-awareness...You can pick up the key skills in any major, and you’re more likely to pick them up if you are excited about what you are studying.” From this big-picture perspective, the authors then narrow their focus to practical advice on topics like attending online classes and attendance-optional courses, dealing with homesickness, and how to successfully interact with other students and faculty members. They also teach readers how to handle the expected workload of college courses, set priorities, and avoid over-programming. To keep things lively, digitally animated characters give playful running commentary in the margins (e.g., a wizened owl giving tips and guiding prospective students). These characters take on distinctive personalities over the course of the book and help differentiate this book from similar guides. Each chapter ends with a few key takeaways (e.g., “Meet deadlines, even when they seem arbitrary”). While some of the more general later sections—with topics on how to read, think, write, and learn—are not necessarily specific to the needs of prospective university students, their inclusion could prove beneficial for any collegiate reader. For those interested in further reading on the topic, there is also a useful suggested reading list included at the end.

A worthy, wise, and clearheaded guide for anyone considering higher education.