How to Survive the Real World: Life After College Graduation: Advice from 774 Graduates Who Did (Hundreds of Heads Survival Guides) [Paperback]

Hundreds of Heads (Editor), Andrea Syrtash (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2006 | Series: Hundreds of Heads Survival Guides

After the parties, the frat rushes, the Big Test and the Big Game, the caffeinated all-nighters, and the pomp and circumstance, life comes knocking. Finding a job and keeping it; renting an apartment or sharing a sublet; dealing with your own money instead of your parents’ money; looking for love (and looking and looking . . . ): who knew how complicated the world after college would be? Nearly 800 contributors to this How to Survive book found out, and happily share their hard-won insights. This useful, upbeat book collects stories, tips, and advice on finding the best place to live, entering adulthood without losing passion, taking care of one’s health, finding a great job, and not going home for the holidays for the first time. Covering both the psychological adjustments and the nuts and bolts of daily life as a grown-up, How to Survive the Real World is witty, practical, and the perfect gift for the nervous grad.

Editorial Reviews

Review

How to Survive the Real World is the perfect gift for the newly minted college graduates on your list. -- The Post and Courier

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Hundreds of Heads Books (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933512032
• ISBN-13: 978-1933512037
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #497,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Graduation Reality and Beyond, June 7, 2008

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Survive the Real World: Life After College Graduation: Advice from 774 Graduates Who Did (Hundreds of Heads Survival Guides) (Paperback)

Though HOW TO SURVIVE THE REAL WORLD was written for the outside the college walls dilemma of college students with diploma in hand and eyes wide open with fear about stepping across the threshold into real adult life, this well designed and very informative book is a clever means for encouraging everyone who is making changes - whether that be from schooling or from career changes at any stage in life. Andrea Syrtash serves as special editor for this latest offering from the creative minds of the folks at Hundreds of Heads Books - a thoughtful publishing group that has hit upon a very user-friendly, unique, and entertaining manner of surveying important issues by seeking comments from thousands of individuals facing the problem subject of the book. The old adage of 'two heads are better than one' has been extended to 'many heads are better than just two', and the result is stimulating, easily digestible body information that is solidly practical and from a broad spectrum minds that comfortably offers from-the-trenches advice.

This helpful aid covers chapters ranging from topics such as selecting the type of job and the location and expectations involved, whether or not to return to further schooling and when and why, financial problems about credit cards and investments, the value of making contacts both as personal friends or people in the workplace who can help further the steps up the ladder of success, how to be 'on your own', to how to stay fit both physically and spiritually. The advice comes from interviews with regular people, the comments are brief but span a variety of viewpoints. The result is similar to stepping into a think tank for 'making it' outside the hallowed halls of ivy.

There is a lot of homespun wisdom in this fun little book. While it is an invaluable asset to the new grads, it is also a useful resource for people of all ages and walks of life as chances for growth become available! Well worth the purchase! Grady Harp, June 08

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift item, March 24, 2006

By 

Angie (Denver) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Survive the Real World: Life After College Graduation: Advice from 774 Graduates Who Did (Hundreds of Heads Survival Guides) (Paperback)

I saw a review copy of this book at an event and this is such a fun gift for a grad. It's full of practical advice (how to write a cover letter, what to do in a job interview, how to deal with a car salesman, where to find a date etc). I actually keep reading it (so it's starting to look used) so I may have to buy another copy for my brother!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of advice and easy to read. Love it!, April 3, 2006

By 

jean t (kirkland, wa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Survive the Real World: Life After College Graduation: Advice from 774 Graduates Who Did (Hundreds of Heads Survival Guides) (Paperback)

There are a lot of questions after graduation! It's nice to see that so many people feel the same way as I do. In this book, I can learn from their mistakes as well as from their good choices. The advice is totally varied (don't expect one expert opinion on what to do). It's also an easy read - you can start on page 120 or page 1. You don't have to read it in order since the advice is divided into sections; job, love, finance etC. Also, there are some good resources in here. Who knew that a discount on the Eurrail Pass is possible until the age of 26? (I thought it was over once you lost your student card) I'm glad I read this before my trip to Europe this summer!