Customer Reviews

No More Ramen: The 20-Something's Real World Survival Guide: Straight Talk on Jobs, Money, Balance, Life, and More

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

You can see a pattern in the ratigs' posting dates: very often it's two reviews per each particular day, then they wait a week to post two more. Fake reviews.

No More Ramen is an excellent resource for college students preparing to enter the "real world." However, it may seem like an ideal gift for a recent college grad but I believe No More Ramen would be most helpful to students still in school, specifically those beginning the second half of their college career when things tend to start getting serious and the future becomes more of a realistic concern. Of all the topics Aretakis addresses in the book, I found the section "I Don't Know Jack About Money" to be the most valuable considering many college students may never encounter budgeting, retirement plans, or insurance policies in their courses while in school. All in all, No More Ramen is a valuable tool for students ready to get serious about life after college.

Tiffany Chang
Junior, 20 years old
New York University

Like the typical Entitlement Generation-er, I've always considered the future as a puzzle that would work itself out, the world as my very friendly oyster, and success to fall easily at my feet. Lo and behold, we face the real world and realize, oh my goodness--we are in way over our heads. Nicholas Aretakis's No More Ramen is a great read for those who suffer similar revelations and need guidance...and actually to anybody who THINKS they don't need guidance--because you'll be surprised at what you don't know about the real world.

This self-proclaimed "real world survival guide" is exactly that--a manual for figuring out the little details of the work place and personal obstacles, and just how to be a personal success in life. Aretakis's book is a casual, conversational read, privileging readers with forgotten tips like what to say in a conference, what to look for in a job, and how to translate academic success to professional success. For all of you out there who have heard too often the clichéd schpiels about dressing to impress, running over portfolio pitches or simply following your heart to that perfect job that seems nonexistent, Aretakis gives you a little bit of that--and then blows you out of the water with the more important specifics.

From personal rating charts, goal sheets and answers about everything from sick days to tax forms to housing plans, No More Ramen is a clear shot of a book at giving you success in life in a nutshell. I recommend this book to all 20-somethings, and even those younger, and definitely to parents. Everyone must take a bite out of this delicious No More Ramen--the solutions offered are answers to questions you never even thought to ask! Guaranteed this is not just a guide, but a 20-something's key to avoiding regretful hindsight and future panic attacks.

What is it about graduation that utterly terrifies otherwise intelligent, reasonable 20-somethings? Apprehension about the future is almost unbearable for many, with good reason. Going out into the "real world" to be a "grown up" is something most young adults are simply not ready for, mainly due to a lack of training in the art that is every day survival. Luckily, an opportunity for self-education exists in the book No More Ramen, which actually advertises itself as "the 20-Something's Real World Survival Guide." This book is for all those of us who do not know how to do anything that does not revolve around being in the world of academia, and because of this book, we can know that we are not alone in the quest for success. Even more importantly, No More Ramen gives strategies for getting what each individual wants out of his or her life. Thanks to the wisdom of someone who has been there, acting on the demands of 20-something focus groups, college students, recent graduates and other young professionals can now be equipped to formulate a plan of survival.
Besides formulating specific, individual plans of success, No More Ramen also talks about the specifics of "real life" that are not taught in most college classes. Insurance, taxes, budgeting, and balance are all discussed, as well as realistic expectations for a career. Unfortunately, it does not look like the odds are in my favor to be a multi-millionaire by the age of 30, but it is better to know that now, to avoid feeling like such a failure then... and, I can have a backup plan in the event that I do not reach my financial goals. Perhaps one of the best things about this book is that it has value beyond the first reading, and the reader can have every intention of keeping this book well into a first or even second job. The resources and wisdom found within its pages will guide many to write a beautiful resume, get through the perfect interview, and find exactly what the reader is looking for in work and in life.

I just gave this to my daughter's 20-something friend (female) for Christmas. She loved it, and seemed very sincere about that. She hasn't read it yet, but I'll just say she raved about having needed some real-world guidance, and looking forward to reading it.

In this day and age there are a lot of books on the shelves that have been written to aid people going through certain stages in their life. Perhaps one of the stages that have remained nearly untapped, or unaided, is that of the high school graduate on through the mid-twenties. Nicholas Aretakis has come to relieve the youth with his book, No More Ramen: The 20-Something's Real World Survival Guide. Aretakis writes with a clear and level-headed pen, engaging his young readers with schooling, employment, money, and still more. Aretakis has gathered information from hundreds of young men and women, 20-somethings as he so aptly names them, and not only lays out simple directions for many of the youth's questions but brings about those answers in a personal way by drawing upon comparisons of his own life as a 20-something 20-some odd years ago. Aretakis answers questions like what readers should look for in an employer, how business traveling schedules should be broken down between work and play, how to boost credit scores, and even tips on remembering fellow workers' names for those initial anxiety-filled times at a new job. Whether stuck in a rut or getting out into the blinding lights of the adult world, No More Ramen is an essential read for every 20-something looking for a bit of guidance.

Nicole Walker
Senior, 20 years old
Pennsylvania State University

I have to say, I was a little skeptical in reading a book entitled "No More Ramen". It wasn't exactly seeming like it would be very informative but boy was I wrong. I picked up this book and couldn't put it down. It was extremely insightful and surprised me with how true everything in the book was. Nicholas Aretakis takes complicated subjects that are plaguing all of us college age students such as budgets, graduation, work, interviews, co-workers, investing and other topics that most of us are clueless about, and gives advice on how to handle it. The book is also written so it's very easy to read. It's written in a no B.S. style and he really tells it how it is. It includes numerous charts and spreadsheets that will help you map out your goals and plans and even sample charts on how to set up a budget and start investing. He provides answers to questions such as: "How can I get what I want out of life? How do I balance work, family, and fun? How do I gain financial independence? How do I keep myself on track? Why does it feel so overwhelming to be a 20 something heading out into the real world?" These questions and many more are all answered in this book and I really gained valuable insight.

As a graduating senior I'm in the process of looking for a job, planning my future, figuring out how to pay for everything, and planning to live on my own which can be a scary thing but this book definitely give some good guidelines to help get you started so you don't flounder once you leave the safety net world of college. I know I have a ton of questions that I'm sure I wont know the answer to until I actually have to experience them but this book definitely gave me a head's up on how to handle those situations.

Even though this book is geared to 20 something's, I really believe a person of any age could benefit from this book because it speaks to a lot of different topics and concerns that even some 30 and 40 year olds haven't quite gotten the hang of yet. Nicholas Aretakis went cross country and interviews thousands of 20 something's and compiled and analyzed all the data and turned it into this book in an easy to understand format. It really lets you know that you're not the only one panicking and having problems but that a majority of the rest of the youth of the country has the same worries and anxieties that you have. At the end of the book there is the chapter entitled "My 11 Must knows" where he gives a sweeping overview of the book and his last words of advice and he does a fantastic job condensing all the information. He says that there are 4 qualities that make up a happy and balanced life: Freedom, Accomplishment, Money, and Enjoyment. Nicholas Aretakis takes them 4 pillars and explains ways throughout the book on how to achieve them. I very highly recommend this to be on every 20 something's bookshelf and maybe even their parents' bookshelves because it truly is a very useful and insightful book to read. Well done Mr. Aretakis.

Penn State, Stephanie Kirkpatrick, September 26, 2007

As I was creating my resume to go to the upcoming career fair, I was confused about what I was going to do. I was confused and thought I was the only one going through this pain. So I turned to No More Ramen. The title may sound funny, and ironic that I would read it because I actually enjoy eating a cup of ramen, but it was really a guide to help me with the job-search process. It gave me hope because I was not the only college senior who was trying to find myself. The author, Nicholas Aretakis recognizes all of the struggles there are in not only trying to find that first job, but also finding a career that will bring enjoyment to life. He realizes there is struggle between personal and professional goals.

Aretakis once a 20-something year old himself, used his experiences to answer hundreds of questions that young adults think about when they enter into the real world. He includes self-check lists to guide in important decisions such as rating the employer, rent vs. buy, and the interview prep form. He also includes all the little things including: appearance, first impressions are vital, practice your handshake, email, phone, and voicemail etiquette, importance of insurance, negotiating salary, and living with the parents.

No More Ramen is a must read for every "confused" 20-something year old that is trying to find where they fit into the real world. I recommend every college student read it and use it as a reference as they go through their journey into the next stage of life.

[...].

This is the book your looking for. I am a recent college grad and finding this book helped me so much. It really is the guide to life after college or at a turning point in your kinda adult life. The author of the book did a great job with his website that supports the book and he even takes the time to write back to you with questions. If you ever felt like you dont understand life, when you just been given a degree and prised by many for your work, dont worry, this book shows you, that your not alone.

This is one book I will let a friend borrow but make sure I get back.

-David Sergi

Ramen noodles, or "oodles of noodles" as my family calls them, are a staple food for college students. As the author of "No More Ramen" suggests, the goal of most students is to reach that point in their life where it is no longer necessary to eat ramen noodles. This so-called "self-help" book contains the critical information, advice, and resources essential to elevating one's status from a struggling, ramen-eating college student to a successful, goal-achieving, filet mignon-eating adult. No More Ramen teaches life-lessons that you can not and will not learn in the classroom. Aside from the book being an easy, useful read, it is eye-opening to real world questions that all college students have about topics such as budgets, job interviews, office etiquette, goal-setting, and others. Another key aspect of No More Ramen is that it is current; the author, Nicholas Aretakis, references many situations and celebrity figures that are relative to the 20-, 30-, and even 40-year age groups. As a senior in college myself, I would suggest No More Ramen as a necessary read for any college student to prepare for and focus on the fast approaching "real world," but the book offers tools - spreadsheets, resources, and tips - that will be highly useful when I actually enter the "real world' in order to maintain my goals, stay focused, budget my money, and organize my time. Whether or not you enjoy self-help topics and whether or not you are preparing for the "real world," No More Ramen is a must read for anyone who wants to be successful and reach their own potential.