How to Survive Your Freshman Year » (Fourth Edition)

How to Survive Your Freshman Year offers incoming college freshmen the experience, advice, and wisdom of their peers: hundreds of other students who have survived their first year of college and have something interesting to say about it. Based on interviews with hundreds of college students at every type of higher-learning institution across the country, this book has insights on every aspect of college life, including, what to take to the dorm, living with roommates, Facebook and other social networks, extracurricular activities, choosing classes, studying, going abroad, finances, food, the social scene, doing laundry, staying in touch with friends and family, and much more. Highly readable, much of the book consists of short snippets with some interesting insight and advice from the college students interviewed. The book also includes expert input from college advisors and officers.

Introduction     ix
Get Ready: What to Take to College     1
Get Set: Leaving Home     19
Go: Starting Out     25
Expectations: College Dreams & Campus Reality     35
Dorms: The Good Life?     43
Talking to Strangers: Your Roommate & You     61
My Face, Our Space: Social Networking & Online Communities     81
Extracurriculars: Clubs, Organizations & More     89
Filling the Daytime Hours: Choosing Classes     105
Studying: Why, When & How     125
Money for Your Life: Working & Finances     145
Food for Thought: Pop-Tarts, Beer & Other Essential Nutrients     153
Ready to Wear: Fashion & (Eventually) Laundry     161
Free Time & How to Spend It     179
Road Trip! Vacations & Studying Abroad     195
Friends: Good, Better, Best, or Former     205
Family Ties: Keeping in Touch & Setting Boundaries     213
Going Out, Getting Serious: Dating & Sex     223
Parties 101: How to Have Fun & Be Safe     247
Animal House: Fraternities & Sororities     271
More Wisdom: Good Stuff That Doesn't Fit Anywhere Else     283
Appendix
The Essential Freshman Fill-in list     297
Freshman First-Aid Kit     298
The Not-Too-Early Study-Abroad Checklist     299
Useful Web Sites     300